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!"