Not ready for Nursery

Yesterday, Analia followed her friend Matthew into the nursery room and the teacher said that she could stay in if she played. Well, she did play and didn't even blink an eye at me not being there. She was so involved with the kids and the toys and the teacher playing with them all that she wasn't even phased. At first I was pumped because I could really enjoy the lesson in Sunday School without chasing her around, but then after church, I noticed that she was acting, somehow, a little bit older--I'm not sure how to describe it, but it just seemed to me that she was bigger.

Going to bed last night I realized that I'm not ready for her to be in nursery! She's ready, but I'm not! That probably doesn't happen too often! Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that she is adjusted to being with older kids and playing and singing songs and all that, but I'm just a little bit, I don't know, sad maybe? I'll probably get over it sooner than later because she is so happy about playing and is acting much more playful than the last couple of days. I swear, growth in kids happens in a day--it's like they just click and then all of a sudden their older--it doesn't seem so gradual anymore. So I'm hoping to keep living each day in the moment with her and then these jumps won't seem so out of the blue! Any advice?

Inspirations...

The heart is happiest when it beats for others.

Albert Einstein said, "Strange is out situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a diving purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received."

When we truly take stock of our lives, we must admit we have done nothing on our own. Our thinking has been fashioned by our many teacher and mentors, including family members. Our ability to function physically is the result, in part, of our genetic code and the productivity of others in providing food, water, and shelter. Our spiritual lives are a gift of God Himself.

We are what we have received. These facts should drive us to share our lives with others.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Look what I made!

So, I've ventured out of my comfort zone and am trying lots of new crafts--one of which is sewing! Mike and I decided that we could make some curtains for the office because nothing in the store looked good in the room--so here they are! Aren't you proud of me?! Who woulda thought! See the bead work--that was a ribbon that we bought, but see how it lines up perfectly! Wow huh!
And look at the stitching around the button-hole style wraps! Awesome huh! I only had to practice a few times on some scrap fabric and it looks pretty dang good to me!
And this here is a liitle fall decor that I made because I have nothing else in the house remotely fall or halloween-ish, (besides my yummy pumpkin-spice candle!) but here it is. I think I may make some smaller ones as well. Not too bad for a novice, eh? We decided to do curtains and a bedspread for the guest room as well because you can do what you want, have a totally unique room and pay less (usually) for it. Hopefully we'll get that done before the new baby comes!

I've been having so much fun with these crafts--it really does make me stretch and try to develop new talents that may be useful someday. Hence the craft room cleaning-- a big motivator to keep going and enjoy it. Like it's really hard! And my friends are really good at it and like doing crafts, so it's fun to share.

I'm still quilting a baby blanket for the new little one and should have some pictures of it when more of it is finished. So far it's a fun project. Can't wait to show you! And I'll also be sewing an apron! We'll see how that goes--yikes. Wish me luck!

My Shoes---

I take it as a compliment that Analia wants to wear my shoes around--she wants to be like me! And I hope that never changes--I hope I'll always be someone who she wants to be like. I guess those are big shoes for me to fill!

P.S. We were cleaning out the extra room/craft room that's why everything is looking so messy! Although, Analia didn't mind!

Inspirations

Each loving act says loud and clear, "I love you. God loves you. I care. God Cares."
-Anonymous

A warm-from-the-oven casserole taken to the home of a sick friend.
A bouquet of flowers from your garden given to a new neighbor.
A thank you note sent to the performers who did such an excellent job during a concert or play you attended.
A loaf of freshly baked cinnamon bread brought to the office for coffee break.
A box of cookies taken to the police station on Christmas day to encourage those who are on duty during the holiday.
An invitation to a bachelor to join your family for a home-cooked meal.
A note of appreciation sent to your child's coach or teacher.
A smile for a discouraged person in the grocery story check out line.
A call to ask with genuine care and concern, "How are you doing?"
A candy bar left in a co-worker's mail slot.

We may not think of these as acts of Christian witnessing, yet they are. Every act of loving-kindness reflects God's loving-kindness for His people. We give because Jesus Christ has so freely given His love to us., He is the example we follow.

Never dismiss an act of loving-kindness as being too small or inconsequential. God will magnify even our smallest deeds to reveal His love to others

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God....for God is love.

For YW tonight, we are making recipe cards and then making some caramel popcorn. I was stressing about how to connect this to the gospel and help the girls feel the spirit. When I came across this thought--and I apply it to sharing good food and loving conversation with each other. If the girls can come to love making good food and sharing it--sharing it is the most important part here--then they can feel the spirit of Christ more frequently and feel His love surrounding them in their daily lives.

Words and more words

The other day we went to the butterfly house to find that it is closed for the season, but we had a blast walking around the pond, feeding the ducks, and smelling the flowers. Analia says 'wow' for flower, so that's all she said for the entire hour at the pond. And every morning she wakes up and sees the big flower picture in her room and says 'wow wow'. She's also saying 'duc' for duck and 'ba' for sheep. And she's learned the sign for 'please', so when she asks for something, she'll do the sign too. She's so smart! Yay! got down the sign for 'please', so when she asks for something, she'll do the sign too. She's so smart!


Just a great picture of her playing in our back yard later that day.
Her first carosel ride! She loved being on the horse, but more than that she loved being by her dad. She loves Mike so much and lately will prefer him over me--which is fine because he can play with her in the evenings and so I don't get boring to her. It's cute to see her say 'dad' and point to him, run with her arms up toward him, and give him kisses. She is such an angel.

Eating with a spoon and other pictures...

Hi all, Just wanted to update you on this new feat in our home: Analia is eating with a spoon! She loves it and really eats more when she can do it herself. After a while though, she gets tired and just digs in with her hands. And then grins!
She's getting so big so fast and understanding everything. I'll ask her to go get her shoes and she'll come out with both shoes that match and want me to put them on. Wow. She just amazes me every day.