Noah's Ark

Lauren, today after lunch, we read the story of  Noah's ark in your Bible. (This Bible was a special gift from your Uncle Steve.) Listening and looking at the pictures, you were quiet as I read, never asking any questions.  Shortly after our story time, I put you down for a nap.  Our current schedule- nap time is generally from 2-5 pm everyday.  Bedtime is 9pm, with wake up time around 8am.                            

 When your dad came in from work, he went into your room and you said to him- "it's thundering".  We were in the middle of a bad storm.  Your dad took you over to look out the window and you said-" it's raining, it's been raining fourty days and fourty nights!"  Smiling as he carried you into the kitchen, your dad shared with me your summary of Noah's Ark.  We both had a good laugh.  Laughing because we both thought this was so adorable.  It also reinforces to us that you are always listening and learning.  And as your parents, we always want to be the very best teachers.

My Feet in the Grass

   I got my feet in the grass, Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Greatest Job

Lauren, your little personality is developing.  At two years old, you are such a sweet and gentle little girl.  Reserved and somewhat cautious.  Talking up a storm.  It seems like you can say just about anything.  Jesus loves me and the alphabet song are two of your favorites.  You love to read and look at books.  Two of your very favorite books are Big Red Barn and Goodnight Moon.  They both appear worn because we have read them so much.  Another favorite is Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See.  Frog and Toad are Friends is also on the list!  We are potty training right now.  This has been a slow process, as you seem uninterested right now.  But, I'm sure you will master this skill in time!  You love being around other children and playing with them.

We are enjoying you at every stage of your development.  I am so thankful and proud to be a stay at home mom.  Before you were born, I had worked for many years as a full time registered nurse.  It became clear to me during my pregnancy, that I wanted to be at home with you on a daily basis.  So, I resigned from the position that I had worked in for ten years.  Now, I work a 12 hour shift once per week to keep my nursing license up to date and to help with our finances.  Your dad takes care of you while I'm at work.  It was the best decision for you and our family.  Now my full time job is loving and caring for you, teaching you, helping to develop your mind and personality, protecting you, playing with you, and all the things that go along with being a mom- and it truly is the best and greatest job I've ever known.  I wouldn't trade this job for anything.

Bubbles!!!!!!!!

Lauren, one of your many favorite outside activities is blowing bubbles!  Well, in general you just love bubbles whether it is running through the bubbles, blowing bubbles, or chasing after a bubble.  It's amazing how something so affordable and simple can bring such joy to a small child and her parents!  We have the traditional wands to blow bubbles, and we also have a couple of small battery operated bubble machines.  With these in hand, we can quickly produce a sea of bubbles that you run through giggling all the way!!!!!!!

I love this photo of you, running full force to get that bubble.  The expression on your face says it all!!!

In this photo, I actually think you are trying to sneak up on the bubbles- it can be hard to catch them because they sail away with the wind.  Well, its time to get off the computer.  I hear you singing "Jesus loves me" and it's the sweetest sound!

The Best Daddy

Dear Lauren,

Just a few days ago, we celebrated Father's Day.  I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about your father.  He is a wonderful man.  He loves us both tremendously, and shows his love for both of us on a daily basis.  One of the stories that I want to share with you is about the evening that you were born- April 30, 2008 at 5:59 pm.  You came into the world as most babies do- crying!  Your dad was taking picture after picture of his little baby girl.  After we had some time alone with you, counting your fingers and toes, and looking at your little body, and talking to you, your dad looked at me with tears in his eyes and said " how am I going to go out and tell everyone that we have a baby girl "( many of our family and friends were in the waiting area, waiting on your arrival! ).  We were both overcome with emotion. We had waited such a long time for you!  He was and still is such a proud daddy.

Later that evening, at bedtime, I asked your dad to take you back to the nursery.  I was very tired, and you were already asleep.  We all had a big day!  Soon, I drifted off to sleep.  A couple of hours later I woke up, and your daddy was holding you- just staring at you.  He kept you in our room instead of taking you back to the nursery.  He said " I can't stop looking at her ".  I took this picture in the middle of the night - Daddy and his little girl!!!!!!

Lauren, your dad loves you so much.  He spends a lot of time with you doing all of your favorite things.  Your dad comes home for lunch every day to see you and mommy.  Sometimes you see his truck coming up the driveway, and you run to the back door to meet him!!!  He gives you lots of hugs and kisses everyday.

You love your daddy, just as much as he loves you.  It brings joy to my heart just to see how much he loves his little Lauren.  We are both so blessed to have him in our lives- he is the BEST husband and daddy.

A Baby Bunny

Lauren, it has been a wonderful week for capturing nature on camera. But more than that, it's been a wonderful week of discovery as you saw your first real nest of baby birds yesterday. And then, tonight, while daddy was watering the garden, he spotted a baby bunny hiding under the squash leaves.  Of course, I ran to get the camera, hoping the bunny would still be there when I returned to the garden.  And there he was  nestled quietly under a big squash leaf.  Daddy gently pulled part of the plant to the side, long enough for me to snap a few quick photos.  Then, the little rabbit darted out of the garden to the high grass.  He had been on quite the adventure that evening all by himself and was probably headed back to his home.  He ran so fast, that he was just a blur.  I hope that he was able to sample something delicious from our garden before his departure!

Baby birds in the blueberries

Late this afternoon, we walked down to the blueberry patch to help our neighbors set up a tent.  This would serve as an area of much needed shade for those picking blueberries.  After putting up the tent, our neighbors said they had found a small nest of three baby birds.  The mother bird obviously thought that the blueberry patch would be the perfect spot for her little nest. Of course, we all wanted to see this tiny home built of twigs and it's three little occupants!  Lauren, you were excited to see the baby birds as we pulled back a branch of the blueberries.  Your eyes filled with wonder as you focused on this precious miracle of nature.  Three baby birds, mouths wide open, waiting for their mother to return with food.  We knew not to disturb them too long, so we carefully placed the branch back in it's place to hide this little home.  What a special and unexpected surprise in the blueberry patch!!!

Blueberry Hill

Blueberry season is finally here!!!  Lauren, we love blueberries. Mommy ate them her entire pregnancy, and I wonder if that is why you love them so.  Tonight, was your first official evening of blueberry picking.  Our neighbor, Anthony, told us that the first of the blueberries were ready, so we did not waste any time before we headed down the driveway to "Blueberry Hill". ( God has blessed us with the most wonderful Christian neighbors- Anthony and Janice.  They have a small blueberry farm in their front yard, and they graciously allow us to pick as many blueberries as we desire.  Also, as a special honor, they named a row of bluberries after you! )

As soon as you saw the blueberries, you started picking and eating. ( So did mommy and daddy! ) Not many of the blueberries made it to your bucket!  In fact, one little lonesome blueberry rolled around in your white bucket.  The rest, well, they were a delicious, healthy snack!

There will certainly be more blueberry picking in the near future, possibly even again this week.  As we picked, we talked about all the delicious recipes that we enjoy with this special ingredient- blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes, blueberry cobbler, and mommy's favorite- vanilla yogurt with blueberries and bananas.  Ok, I'm getting hungry!!!  I'm sure you will have just as much fun helping me cook as you did picking the berries.  That will have to be another post- Mommy and Lauren in the kitchen!!! 

Our Little Gardening Girl

Lauren, you are definitely an outside girl. Rain or shine, hot or cold, you love the outdoors. The above picture is of you "helping" in the garden. We love when spring time rolls around because it means it's time to plant. It's amazing to plant a seed, keep it watered and fertilized regularly and then to see it grow into a garden full of delicious vegetables that we eat for supper every night. Garden fresh vegetables are so much tastier than store bought. Just no comparison between a garden squash and a store bought squash!!

Grilled chicken, roasted broccoli and fried squash with butter!!!!!!!  Mmmmm.  Southern cooking.  We love it and you do too.  Broccoli is one of your favorites, and you are also aquiring a taste for squash.  Our garden is thriving, so we will be eating many more "home grown" veggies.  Each day it is really a treat to go out and pick vegetables that we have grown.  And just think-you "helped" our garden to produce a great crop this season!!!

Jesus Loves Me

Tonight we had a quiet evening at home. Daddy went with some of the men of the church to a friends house for a small get together. We stayed on the "homefront" and enjoyed an evening of playing with the rocks and dirt in the driveway!! Then inside for supper- yummy garden squash and watermelon. Sitting at your little table, eating supper, there is a beautiful view of our front yard. Suddenly, you run into the kitchen and with excitement exclaim, "Mommy, I see a rabbit". We both run into your playroom, look out the window, and sure enough, there is a little brown rabbit! Smiling, we pause a moment to enjoy nature. Mommy heads back into the kitchen to clean. I hear you softly whisper, "where did he go?".

Bath time is next! Always an interesting time. Tonight's bath is quick because bedtime is almost here. Mommy and Daddy both like to rock with you before bed, so we alternate nights, and I was thankful tonight was my night. With a blankie and a cup of milk in hand, we both settle into the very comfortable rocking recliner in your room. And then you begin to sing, "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong". Mommy joins and we sing and we sing. I love to hear you sing, especially about Jesus.

As we sit and sing, my heart full of joy, I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy. And it is such a privilege to be able to teach you about the love of God.

Summer Fun!!!!