While trimming trees...

As I approached the hawthorne bush by the driveway to do some (much-needed!) trimming this past weekend, I heard some very loud tweeting! I could hardly believe what I discovered! A nest – full of baby birds – right on eye-level! Based on the looks of their vigilant mama, they're probably mockingbirds.

Look at those wide-open beaks!

How fun! This may be the first time I've enjoyed a real live, close-up view of this segment of God's creation. I'm excited – Elizabeth was, too!

bilingual interference

While combing Elizabeth's hair a couple days ago, she told me:

"You're putting a rash in my hair."

A rash?! In her hair?!

Then it hit me! A part in one's hair is una raya in Spanish! (Keep in mind our Uruguayan pronunciation!)

She was sitting on her Daddy's lap while I was combing her hair this morning, so I told him about the "rash" incident and my explaining that una raya is "a part" in English.

She pointed to her box of Mega Bloks and the remnants of an airplane (according to her) that she had made with them and exclaimed:

"My airplane is apart!"

Oh, the complexities of language(s)!

The truth about you is glorious...

Do not worry about what you feel.

The truth about you is glorious.

If you are in Christ, rise to it o’er sin and care.

Take your full salvation and triumph and prevail.

~ Martyn Lloyd-Jones,

in Spiritual Depression, Its Causes and Cure

(I have yet to read this book, but the quote caught my eye

and heart when I saw it posted on another blog.)

Anecdotes...

Mother's Day was especially wonderful this year. As I ponder the joys of real life with a little one eager to learn everything, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude to God for entrusting our Precious Little Punkin Spice to us...

Some of the latest cute sayings and actions include:

"Carol is my little mess!" said while holding her close, proving that she understands "little mess" to be a term of endearment. I often say: "You're my favorite little mess!" (Christmas Carol, by the way, is the doll Tatá gave her at Christmas.)

I found a cute toddler step-ladder, painted with jungle animals, at Big Lots a couple weeks ago – the perfect size for climbing into a Big Girl Bed. Excited about the fact that it would match her room decor perfectly but not being too sure about the price, I decided to leave and pray about whether or not to get it. I went back later with Elizabeth and realized that the only one left was the one on display – and it had some bumps and scratches. The happy ending is that Big Lots Customer Service knocked off 33% – a real bargain I discovered later when doing a price comparison online! When we got home and set it up, Elizabeth jumped up and down and exclaimed: "I'm so glad I have a Dear Mommy!" (an obvious adaptation to my frequently saying: "I'm so glad I have a Dear Baby!")

When I picked her up at school on the Friday before Mother's Day, she couldn't wait to show me the project she had made for me. She pointed out details on her paintings and told me: "Sunday is Mother's Day! It's your day, Mommy!"

Her Daddy took her to Publix (our favorite grocery store) on the Saturday before Mother's Day to "decorate" a cake. I wish I would've sent the camera with them. She was very proud of the cake SHE had decorated – undoubtedly with the help of a very patient soul at the store!

Yes, I am very blessed!

Mother's Day!

Rejoicing in God's blessings...

Who is like the LORD our God,

Who is enthroned on high,

Who humbles Himself to behold

the things that are in heaven and in the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

To make them sit with princes,

with the princes of His people.

He makes the barren woman abide in the house

as a joyful mother of children.

Praise the LORD!

~ Psalm 113:5-9

Tiger Tails!

I called them "pony tails" earlier this week. One of her teachers called them "pig tails" later that same day. So, as we got in the car after school, Elizabeth suggested that they're "tiger tails" or maybe even "monkey tails" – all with the cutest little giggle!

Cherishing the moments!

Our little girl is growing up so fast! We're thankful that modern technology better enables us to cherish the moments...

Spring 2006

 

 

Spring 2007

Spring 2008

Spring 2009