Sara turned 5 today!

It's been a great day! I'm about to go to bed thinking..."I don't want to forget this" and "I want to spend every day like this."

Last night Greg blew up 5 balloons with money inside that we used to decorate Sara's room as she slept. About midnight she woke up and I met her running through the hall. Needless to say, she didn't see her decorations when she woke up since she slept in my room and I in her Tinkerbell bed, but Maggie sure did. Maggie and I had a great morning playing together while Elizabeth and Sara slept in. She shared with me that she wanted to get Sara a cake with a heart on it and candles. Maggie is a great sister! Greg - well, someone has to save their personal days.

Picture day started at their school at 8:30, so after letting Sara sleep til 8:45 I decided it was time to wake her up. She had a stomach ache and thought she was going to be sick. We rushed around, patiently, to get to school and get the pictures out of the way so "we can take a nap."

The pictures were a hoot! I cannot wait to get these school portraits back. They're all so cheesy anyway now add a momma's hind end in capris and sandals in the background. This is the only way I could get E to cooperate was to hold her legs as she, Sara, and Maggie rested on a carpeted prop. Well, the photographer said, "I don't know how much they can crop." I was thinking just take the thing, I don't care if they're screaming, and let's get out of here. (I have little patience for "just right" photos...long are the days of all eyes in the same direction, smiles on every face, and hair just right. We do not have bows or shoes; oh well, that's how we roll!)

And, Sara and I are off to spend her 5th birthday together! We stopped back by the house so she could change in case she wanted to, I said ride a bike, and she said, "jog!" Sara was happy about the hand me downs from Cousin Clara she inherited the previous week, she decided to wear a Circo 5T outfit with pride! We left the house with the scooter and her Barbie bike just in case. I never want to forget when we got in the car this time, she climbed in my door because she loves to open it herself, and she said, "Momma, I love you!" Melts my heart.

And, we're off...after dropping off a bottle for E and a sippy cup for Maggie, an appointment for Sara to get her nails painted is made, 11:30. Sara wanted to get them painted by someone other than me. She told me this in a most tender way. Sara talks the whole way. She loves to fill up the empty space and she can be deep for such a young age. At Glitterbox, she was in her element. Shopping the boutique store for accessories, shoes, and outfits while we waited. She checked out the table where there are fans to dry your hands and feet. We debated getting a pedi too but decided to save money for Chuck E. Cheese. (Ever since the Dave Ramsey class, I'm all about the reality of spending and saving...I think this counts.) When Sara was offered animal crackers or a sucker while she waited she choose a sucker and said, Thank you, to the college aged girl helping us. Then Sara asked, "Maggie?" She's a great big sis! I knew Sara was missing Maggie but when given the opportunity to go pick her up from school also, she quickly decided, no!

This is about the time I started to interview Sara. 20 questions. I want asked every year starting now with Maggie turning 3 in May also. E can start on her 3rd birthday.

20 questions:
What is your favorite color? Rainbow sparkles (I'm pretty sure it was pink before we entered the nail salon, but okay.)
What is your favorite animal? dolphins
What do you want for dinner tonight? Olive Garden
What is your favorite tv show? SpongeBob (She has seen this maybe once with her cousins, thank you, Aunt Kelli. I'm not sure if it's "bad." I haven't kept it on long enough to find out.)
What is your favorite movie? Ice Age
What is your favorite snack? Graham crackers
What is your favorite lunch? chocolate bars
What is your favorite drink? water
What is your favorite holiday? everyone staying at home like next week (Spring Break)
What is your favorite game? Connect Four
What is your favorite outfit? what I'm wearing now (Thanks, Aunt Carri and Clara)
What is your favorite book? Pinkalicious
What is your favorite fruit? blueberries
What is your favorite song? Rockstar in the Unicorns...I made it up.
What is your favorite toy? my pogo stick
Favorite thing to do outside? make beds for bugs like butterflies
What do you want to be when you grow up? Dog catcher (Dora was a dog catcher in her most recent episode.)
What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms
What do you take to bed at night? Teddy
Who is your best friend? God (Later, when Greg asked it was Karma, the girl, not the other.)

After getting her nails done, she wanted her ears pierced. Reality discipline is where it's at, and I'm about covering the bases ahead of time so I can at least have an "I told you so!" in there. So, I laid it out for her...They will mark your ear with a marker where the hole is going, the machine will be loud then it will poke a hole, you have to be still... So once we're in the mall, to the store, in the chair, nickle-free earrings picked out since the specialist recommended since Gaggy has an allergy, Sara jumps out of the chair and says, "No! Maybe when I'm 6 or 7 or 12 or 18." Not a problem! Turning 5 is big enough! Sara gladly paid for her kiddie make-up, Hello Kitty press-ons, polish, and nail file.

We enjoyed lunch together in the food court at a table for two. These are the ones she has tried to sit us at when all 5 of use are together just to be silly. It was nice. She had a meat and cheese soft taco, 3 Chick fil A nuggets, some fries, and a sweet tea.

Next Sara would rather take a hike on an unpaved trail than ride the scooter or her bike. So, we did! Lake Fayetteville is 3 minutes from the mall. We were on the trail in a jiffy. (Next time I need to take mace. I'm so scared without Greg around. I'm on guard like a pitbull!) Through the trail she is determined to lead the way and walk all the way around the lake...5 miles which we have never tried, just stayed at the park and on the paved trail. Sara loves being out in nature. She is again in her element. I love how versatile she is! Her little hand held mine and I just want to hold it forever and protect her from this world. She did a lot of talking on the trail and I did a lot of praying, giving thanks, and asking for protection. 5 over aged men were on the trail and Sara and I witnessed the greenhorns going over the front of their bike, walking up the hills, and losing their odometer which Sara found when they were many yards past us. When these men decided to call it quits for the day and ride past us again, we returned their odometer and this is when Sara decided to go back too. It was either keep walking and miss handing out Popsicles to her friends at school or turn around and make it. She chose. One day, we'll walk all the way around.

Back at home, I was able to allow 37 minutes on the timer before leaving to make it to the girls' school by 2:55PM. Sara rode around the backyard on the fourwheeler. She followed me and we made a wide trail around the swingset and the trampoline. She rode by giving me a thumbs up! Then she ran over some insects that started flying around and she called them bees so we came inside. I asked what she'd like to do for the next 10 minutes and she said, a tea party. So, in my best southern hospitality and voice, we had ourselves a tea party! I shared my family recipe for making tea and even gave her the secret to how many scoops! We donned our fanciest hats and Sara even put on a swimsuit cover up over her 5T Circo outfit. I tell you there's nothin' betta' than a tea!

10 minutes passed quickly, we hurried to the car with popsicles and photos for Sara's trip around the world. Everyone in her class was waiting at 2:55 for us, Maggie included (who was so excited all day that she barely took a nap...thankfully, I was worried). Sara took her trip around the world, blew out the candle which represented the sun, and everyone sang Happy Birthday! Next Sara and Maggie handed out popsicles and leas. It was a beautiful day!

At home, it was so warm outside that the girls put on their swimsuits and we turned on the sprinkler underneath the trampoline. E was swinging in her red swing. Greg came home and I wanted time to stop. But, it keeps moving forward, and there is an emptiness inside at the thought of I can't grab on and hold tight to these moments. Rather than stay here, right now and tomorrow I want to live each day like it's the last. Counting my blessings, focusing on what I have rather than what I don't, and not giving in to the "luxury of a negative thought" in doing this the days will be rich.

Sept. 5, 2009 - Jan. 4, 2012, it's been over 2 years!

Where to begin? First, what prompts me to begin to blog again is not a New Year's resolution. There isn't any room left on that list, ha! But tonight we were all in the bedroom (all 5 of us now, excluding Tulip) and Maggie began her prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for Jesus (yes, she put Jesus first without a prompt from me...see last blog), Jackson, Brett, Clara, Aunt Carri, Sara, Daddy, Momma, Elizabeth, books, toys, Sprite, water, play outside for a little bit....A-men!

Then Sara prayed;
Dear God, Thank you for my family....thank you for Mary and Joseph!...Dear God, A-men! (She ends most of her prayers with "Dear God, amen!") Okay, I didn't even know she was listening in bible class or when I read about Mary and Joseph the night before. It's just amazing to me in so many ways!

So you can see, I remembered about blogging and thought maybe I can squeeze blogging into my resolutions along with...we'll I shouldn't be held accountable for the others in case I fail! On with our nightly prayers...

Maggie says, "It's Lizbeth's turn! My say it for her!" This is one thing I do not want to forget about Maggie is her precious, soft-spoken voice saying "my" instead of I. And, she ends Elizabeth's prayer saying, "Good job!" to Elizabeth.

So much has happened since Sept. 5, 2009! I think I'll just post some pics to represent this short time period that has past.

Here are a few things I want to remember forever:

Sara, 4 years, 10 months:
loves picking out nonsensical words out of Pinkiliscious stories, like "bluetiful" and you like to tell the joke from the story: Where do cows go on a date? to the mooo-vies;
likes to play with dolls, little people, lincoln logs;
you recently learned how to change the toilet paper rolls and you are right on it anytime you're asked;
I love your helping spirit and willingness to concentrate on work;
at school, you're learning how to read and add;
you can identify several countries by their flags, tell the national language, and assist Ms. Sarah in counting to 10 and the days of the week in that language;
you recently had an International Lunch and received the passport you've been working on;
just to add that you are really enjoying "Strawberry Milk" which is a Carnation strawberry flavored breakfast supplement; you don't like tomatoes, but dill pickles; you love Whopper Jr. from Burger King with meat, cheese, and pickles only;
you love cooking and trying new recipes;
your recent hit was an oatmeal sandwich: oatmeal in the middle of two slices of buttered toast. It was actually quite tasty!; you love an app called Cake Doodle and you like to put the ingredients in order, so you're learning to read words like, cups, flour, vanilla, eggs, baking powder, sugar, etc.
I just love you! You've got a sweet heart! The other morning before church you watched a little cartoon about a dog at the animal shelter in the other room. You came in crying to our bathroom and insisted that we go get a dog right then. This is just shows what a empathetic, big heart you have!
Another story comes to mind of a man on the side of the road with a sign that said something like No Money, Need Food. As I scrambled to find some food or something to hand him (because daddy wasn't with us, ha! That's another story!), you asked, "Momma, what's his sign say?...Then give him the money in my wallet.) Just so happens you had taken it to school that day.
Which leads me to another thing I do not want to forget. You like to earn money by doing work around the house, and you're quick and good at it too!


Maggie, 2 years, 8 months:
loves saying "pinky stinky underwear" it's in the Pinkiliscious book;
you told me at the mall your favorite book is The Cat in the Hat;
I love to hear you say with your eyebrows raised anything like, "That was silly!" or "My got a big one!" It's a cute little, shocked face and each time you opened a Christmas present you showed your shocked face. In addition, being the neat little girl you are, when you ripped off the wrapping paper you would place each piece in the trash bag Daddy was holding then go back to ripping, placing the paper. You are so fun to watch!
Puzzles fascinate you! When you were younger, Granny was doing a puzzle with you and you would take the pieces and intently place them in the wrong spot and ask her, "That go there? Nooo!" You still love puzzles. Yesterday we did an "angel puzzle" you like to call it even though it is a princess puzzle, 3 times.
You answer, "Yes!" and it sounds so sweet. We love to hear that, "Yes!"
You and I are the only ones who call Elizabeth, Libby. You say it, "Her's Lib-be!"
I just want to throw it out there that you don't care much for milk and you never have. You prefered Apple Juice for the longest time, then Sprite, now you and Sara are both big into "Grapety Grape Juice" which is Juicy Juice brand Fruit Punch.
You love to run and chase Tulip. You have a cute little skip and the sides of your hair bounce up and down. If you happen to fall you say, "My okay!" You are extremely tough! You are not rough, but have your own pace and you don't get in a hurry about things. You don't prefer sweet treats but would rather have fruit instead of fries or dessert. One thing you often talk about was, "My birthday at Boingo Bounce!" You loved your 2nd birthday party at Boingo Bounce and you're still talking about it! I just have loved watching you grow. At school, you were working on a 500 piece puzzle that the whole class has worked on for a few weeks and only a few pieces have been put together, but you were working on it for a really long time and even though you hadn't found matches or had only found a few, you told Ms. Janet, "my almost finished."

Elizabeth, 9 months:
loves to suck the thumb on your right hand so much that it's chapped;
when I first pick you up you like to sink right into me to give me some love;
you are reaching to anyone standing; army crawling from one room to the next;
and you are pulling up on things;
you are extremely laid back;
everyone says you are so small but I think you're really long (already in 12 months clothes!);
you first laughed at Sara putting a bath towel over your head and pulling it off while Maggie danced around you;
you love being in the same room with your sisters;
you love getting into the backpack carrier and going on hikes;
the other day you were fussy and we thought you were hungry so as I was preparing your food you sucked your thumb and fell asleep in the highchair while your sisters ate at the table next to you;
we laugh WITH you often. You're a very good, fun baby! I love watching you grow!

FORGIVE ANY TYPOS, I'M JUST TELLING THE HIGHLIGHTS SO THE GIRLS WILL HAVE THEIR LIVES SOMEWHAT CHRONICLED HERE!

It's been a year...

I've got to get this down. I loved it! Two nights ago Sara said her first prayer start to finish without prompting. Here's how it all happened...

Just me and the girls, Greg was at a football game. I sit down beside Sara's bed and say, Okay. Let's pray.
No, let meeee do it! (In a loud plea)
...Dear God, Thank you for momma, daddy, Maggie and Tulip. Thank you for allll our friends and allll our family. Have a good day at work and rain so we can have a dance party. Amen. Oh, yeah and thank you for Jesus!

I laughed. Then was thinking the next day how she thanked God for Jesus last. I was still proud and content that she remembered, but it did bother me a bit. Although I said nothing. Later at dinner table Greg, Sara, and I sat down to eat spaghetti and pizza while Maggie played on her Lion mat. We jumped right into conversation since we haven't seen each other, other than passing by, in days. After several minutes, Sara promped us with, "I wanna pray!"

Ok, let's pray Greg and I grinned...

Dear God, Thank you for Jesus! (my heart just sank.) Thank you for momma, daddy, Maggie...

It's like she had read my mind.

Thank you God for Jesus and for loving us so!

September 2008

Sara is moving up! She has moved up a class in Sunday school. These photos are of her last day in her last class. She has also moved to Early Primary at Montessori. Again, this photo at school is of her Toddler class.

Sara is patting the Bible in bible class, and she is one of the last two to get out of her seat at the table. At Montessori, she has been in EP for a week and is starting to say many more colors: yellow, green, and blue especially. On Friday, Sara's report said she enjoyed rolling in the grass with Siddha. On Thursday, her report said she had fun with Lexie on the playground. On Wednesday, she was very curious about all the work. On Tuesday, their class watched birds on their new bird feeder. So far, she is having a great time with her new class and teachers, Miss Rosalyn, Mr. Cullin, and Miss Shakea. Liam, Adelyn, and Lexie are her old friends from Toddler, but she is also making new friends, like Hayden, Reagan, and Jack (whose mother works with Greg).

On Fan Day, Sara was very interested in Pork, then became not so confident when Pork decided to hold her. We're thinking this may be our Christmas card photo. Sara and I are pictured with Jerry Franklin, the Razorbacks best defensive player this year, How 'bout them Hawgs? Nevermind. Greg coached Jerry in basketball while we taught in Marion. We're enjoying Razorback country and all it has to offer. Come see us!

Summer lovin'

Sara's Granny and Papaw and cousins visited Devil's Den. It was nice to have all the family together for the first time since Sara's birth.
Sara's new swing on the mighty oak. (See Max Lucado's The Oak Inside the Acorn.)

Sara and Caroline had a great time playing in the swing, and later at the sand and water table.
Above is Sara's "prom dress" from her cousin Clara. She refused to take it off all day long. After catching herself in the mirrow, she admired her greatness for a good 5 minutes. She just waved, winked, kissed, and danced in front of the mirror while her dad and I watched quietly from the couch. It was priceless!


Sara can quickly go from crying to laughing.

Sara holding cousin Olivia's hand on the trek to Camp Grandma in Jonesboro. She was so glad to have her cousins entertaining her during the carride. Although she was terrified when she woke up to "unfamiliar" faces.
Showing some love just after bible study.

We saw a "bah-bah" at the zoo, and we even got to pet it!

To Sara: What I love about you...

I love the way your whole face lights up when you're laughing. Your cheeks shine and your eyes twinkle, and I love the sound of your laugh. It is so easy to get you laughing too. A little pick a boo, a funny noise, anything is humorous even if you're crying because you need a nap, you can't help but laugh.

You're using many kind words and nods. Now when you wants something you makes the p sound. You're starting to say 'please' without being told, and it's really cool. It is so sweet. You'll even make the "more" sign with your hands and say, "Pah, pah, pah..." Whenever you want to say thank you or you're welcome, you make eye contact and nod. Although I'm starting to hear you say thank you some too.

You love animals. You watch the birds and the squirrels in our backyard. Today I asked you what you saw, and you answered, "Birds!" You say squirrels too. Over the weekend, at the zoo in KC, you were repeating all the names of the animals. The zoo keeper told us about hippopotamus' behavior and you replied, "hippop..." The zoo keeper said, "That's right, you can say hippopotamus."

Another word, I just absolutely love, is "Mom-ma!" You will look for me around the house when I may be in another room, or when you're walking around with your daddy, and you'll sweetly call out, stretching out each syllable, "Mom-ma! Mom-ma!" It isn't a panicking cry out, but more of a I want to be where you are call. "Mom-ma!" I hope I never forget that sound because it makes me so proud.

You like to play independently too. You don't always have to be entertained by someone. Sometimes you prefer to read or climb, explore, throw "trash" away alone. We can give you your diaper and you'll throw it away, or we can tell you something is trash and you'll take it to the can. Sometimes you decide for yourself what is trash, and you have made good judgments so far. Over the weekend you did throw something of Gaggy's away that wasn't trash. But we thought it was funny. You enjoy accomplishment. After you take your diaper to the trash, you'll clap her hands a couple of times. I love to see you feeling proud of your work.

Your daddy and you have been working on the laundry some too. After a bit of instruction, you'll take clothes to and from the laundry room, and you'll help move the clothes over to the dryer. You prefer the job of closing the dryer door and laundry room door. Whenever I'm loading the dishwasher you are right there helping, and especially closing the dishwasher door. We love your help!

You like moving objects in and out of baskets. This Saturday in KC we had a great time dumping pennies out of a container and placing them back in. You worked diligently picking up every last penny just to dump them out again. Then it was equally enjoyable to dump a few, put a few back in...

Another thing about you I love is how outgoing you are for such a young age. At restaurants, you say "hi" to at least one person. One particular day at The Flying Burrito, you weren't enjoying the food much, so instead you kept repeating "hi, hi, hi" and looking around for a friend. Most of the time you say "hi" to the elderly. You stare at them until they look at you and you wave. When they wave back, you say "hi". Sometimes they blow you a kiss and you reciprocate. Although, you don't always blow it to them, your hand lingers on your face.

The first time you gave communion you walked down holding your daddy's hand, and when you came back up the isle holding his hand you were waving to people of the end and making eye contact as you passed by. You made it to our row and I had tears streaming down each cheek. It was a proud-momma moment.

You are very giving with hugs and kisses. Sometimes you come up behind while we're playing in the floor and you'll just hug my back, resting your head, like a chimp carrying its' baby. You'll also give hugs in the morning when you wake up and just about anyother time your daddy or I ask for one. We both love you very much!

I know you are happy 99% of every day, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Hooray! It's summer...

Sara is doing so much. I am L-O-V-I-N-G being home with Miss Girl, aka Miss Sara Girl, so I can soak up every minute of her. Children are amazing!

My mom has reminded me to document the day of her accomplishments...today her major accomplishment was poopy-ing in the potty. Here's the story:

After swimming and eating pizza at Sara's Aunt Amber and Uncle Jarrod's house, Sara starts straining beside the couch. As I look at her, Sara states, "Poo-poo!"

So, I ask, "Do you need to poo-poo in the potty?" No answer, but when asked a second time...

Sara nods yes, so we walk together to the hall bathroom where I precede to sing...

The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout,

down came the poopy and into the toilet...

A short moment into the chorus, we hear the blop.

"Yea, Sara on your first poo-poo in the potty!"