Swimming

Lila spent two weeks in swimming lessons this summer. I wasn't sure how much she would learn at this age but she has turned into quite a little fish!


Needless to say we've spent A LOT of time at the neighborhood pool this summer. The girls both do great in the water and have so much fun they never want to leave! They could spend the whole day swimming and splashing in the water!




One for the money, Two for the show, Three to get ready, and Four to GO.. Yea Lila!!

Daddy's Birthday Dinner

Daddy's new favorite steak place is a hole in the wall old barn right outside of town. The food is great and the atmosphere is that of down home fun! He requested we have his birthday dinner there on Saturday night when they have a live band and the locals come to show off their country western moves.


We couldn't keep Miss Lila off the dance floor.
She was quite the Dancing Queen making up her own moves and dancing, dancing, dancing!

She danced with her cousins. She danced with her sister.

She danced by herself.


She even danced with a stranger. ("Stranger" being a sweet older lady that kept coming over to our table asking Lila to go for a spin or two around the dance floor. She was very sweet and quite harmless.)

Emily got out there a little bit too but she is still a little too shy to just cut a rug like her older sister. She preferred to 'dance' with her Daddy!

Did I mention the food is good? It's GOOD!


I love this next picture. Can you tell Emily was a little tired of the picture taking?

We secretly told our waitress it was Wayne's birthday so of course they came over, made him stand up and sang their own rendition of the birthday song for him. He was surprised...

..and maybe a little embarrassed, but a good sport!

And his dessert was fabulous! Cobbler and ice cream.. YUM!

Daddy's Birthday

The Pahmans came in town to help Daddy celebrate his birthday this year. We all had fun with Uncle David, Aunt Sarah, Hannah and Leah. The girls all played very well together and we enjoyed a long weekend with family. Daddy had two extra helpers to help blow ALL those candles out on his birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

VBS

Vacation Bible School was a hit this summer! We had just moved into our new Children's Education Building and we got to break it in with record attendance! Lila got to participate for the first time this year and she had so much fun playing with her friends, making crafts, and learning some new songs!

Emily was in the nursery so she didn't technically get to participate like the older kids, but she had a great time playing on the inside playground and spending time with her buddies as well! Both of the girls were eager and excited each morning to put on their "church shirts" and go to VBS.

The VBS grand finale was a carnival and dinner with a performance by an All-Star cast! It was a crazy night with a bad storm. The performance was interupted twice because of tornado warnings and we all had to file out of the auditorium and take shelter in the classrooms without windows. We all had to sit on the floor in the children's classrooms as we waited for the storm to pass, but we still had a good time hanging out and visiting with our friends. Even a big bad storm couldn't squash our fun! When we finally got to the performance, Lila did a great job and made us all proud! Emily was especially excited to see her up on the stage singing!

The Park

The girls LOVE to play outside so we spent a lot of time at our favorite park this summer. Summer picnic lunches, feeding the ducks, climbing trees, walking the trails and just exploring the wildlife filled a lot of our summer afternoons. Luckily there is a good bit of shade there. A little sunshine and strolling around the park is always good for the soul. Just spending a little quiet time outside makes me appreciate all the goodness that God has blessed us with. Everything in nature is such a great example of God's tender loving care. Everything seems to whisper His name and tell of His gentle goodness. The breeze that rustles the leaves in the trees, the intricately crafted,fragile butterflies, the pretty wildflowers and singing birds, curious squirrels and the bright sunshine.. they all seem to tell their own sweet story of God's love and faithfulness. I love to just take it all in and marvel in His great works. I guess the park is the perfect place for all of us to enjoy the day!

The ducks and geese at Towne Lake Park have got to be some of the most well fed ducks around. God provides them all the bread and crackers their stomachs can hold from very eager and excited youngsters, my girls included. Lila and Emily love the ducks at the park and the ducks seem to tolerate them for the most part...



Lila likes to attempt tree climbing. She usually needs a bit of assistance but she loves the sense of accomplishment when she can finally sit at her desired branch and look down on her surroundings, just don't squash her dreams by pointing out she's on the lowest branch of the tree. There is always time for new heights later...



We usually find a nice shady spot to just sit and watch the water, collect rocks, pick wildflowers, and chase the squirrels... all things important to a three year old!

"the Jesus Storybook Bible"

"Every story whispers His name..."

As part of our nightly routine, Daddy takes Emily and reads to her, rocks her and puts her down to sleep. Mommy and Lila usually have a little sleeping party before eyes are closed and dreaming starts. We sing songs, take turns telling silly stories, and give all the glow in the dark stars over her bed very silly names...I think tonight a few of the names were alla, nofie, zeedee, and wancum. Then she points to her star, and mine, which is always right next to her's, and then points one out for Emily and Daddy, usually in another cluster opposite of ours. Then it's storytime. Prayer. Kiss. Shut eye.

My favorite, absolute FAVORITE children's Bible is "the Jesus Storybook Bible" written by Sally Lloyd-Jones. "Every story whispers His name." ...And it does in the most beautiful way. I LOVE reading to Lila from this Bible. It's funny, and simple, and written beautifully. Tonight's story was one of my favorites in the book, "Operation 'No More Tears!'" It's the story of Isaiah, and God to the rescue. Quoted from the book... "This is the message God gave Isaiah (it was like a letter God wrote to his children)..."

"Dear Little Flock,

You're all wandering away from me, like sheep in an open field.
You have always been running away from me. And now you're
lost. You can't find your way back.
But I can't stop loving you. I will come to find you.
So I am sending you a shepherd to look after you
and love you. To carry you home to me.

You've been stumbling around, like people in a dark room.
But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase
away all the shadows, like sunshine.
A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young
girl who doesn't have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel,
which means 'God has come to live with us.' He is one
of King David's children's children's children.
The Prince of Peace.
Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you!
But he won't be who anyone expects.

He will be a King! But he won't live in a palace.
And he won't have lots of money. He will be poor.
And he will be a servant. But this King will
heal the whole world.
He will be a Hero! He will fight for his people,
and rescue them from their enemies. But he won't have
big armies, and he won't fight with swords.
He will make the blind see, he will make the lame leap like deer!
He will make everything the way it was always meant to be.
But people will hate him, and they won't listen to him.
He will be like a Lamb - he will suffer and die.

It's the Secret Rescue Plan we made - from before
the beginning of the world!
It's the only way to get you back.
But he won't stay dead - I will make him alive again!
And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever,
the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy!
The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole
earth - as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will
come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe
away every tear from every eye.
Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him.
Wait for him. He will come!
I promise.

Love,
God"

Tears started running down my face as I was reading this incredible 'letter from God.' It is so simply stated and yet so moving. Lila noticed my sniffles and asked me if I was sad. I told her that yes, I was sad, but I was also very happy, because God's secret rescue plan gave us Jesus, and Jesus always makes everything better. My sweet little beautiful Lila looked at me and reminded me Jesus would wipe my tears. Then she kissed my cheek, laid her head back on her pillow and said, "I love Jesus Mommy. And I love God too." One doesn't have to try hard to imagine my tears then. If only I could keep her young and innocent. Shield her from the destruction Satan has set about on this Earth. But I won't. I won't because God will use Lila for the great work of His kingdom. I have no doubt in my mind that my sweet Rooney will do great things for her King.

She remembered from the story that Jesus would wipe away every tear. And He does sweet Lila. He always does. And He will always do the same for you and Emily if you trust Him and believe Him. I already hate the day that I will have to let you loose to find your own way in this world. But if I do my job as your mother diligently.. if I teach you the truth, show you the faith, wrap you in His love and protection, pray for you, and then trust in Him, you will be ready. And you will succeed. Cling to Him Girls. Ask for His guidance. He will listen. He will help. My beautiful girls, always remember that loving and being loved by Jesus matters more than all that this world can obtain or contain. Don't lose your focus, but just in case you do... remember that Jesus will wipe away your every tear.

I love you both and am so proud to be your mommy!

Possible?

Is it possible there are really sixty minutes in an hour? Twenty-four hours in a day? Seven days in a week? Four weeks in a month? I know it's true, even though I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to mathmematics, but what I can't figure out is how time has a way of passing so quickly. Can it really be August already? Are the long, lazy days of summer really nearing their end? Was my last post really back in early May? Where has the time gone? "The blink of an eye"... so very true. How has it gone so quickly? And even though I've had so many moments this summer that have come and gone but not before leaving a lingering impression on my heart, I've neglected to sit down and record them for the girls to read and remember when they are older. I've got a lot of catching up to do but I have to pause and wrap my brain around the fact that it is all going by so quickly. Why does it feel like each year goes by faster and faster? Does Mom know how old I am, or is she like me and still picture her babies as little ones that need a band-aid and a kiss for their scraped knees and elbows. I've been here everyday and celebrated each milestone the girls have met and mastered, yet part of me still feels like I need to swaddle them tonight when I put them to sleep and make sure a paci is handy for any late night pause in their slumbering. Is it possible they are really three and two years old?

I'm pretty sure the song, "These are the Days," by 10,000 Maniacs has been playing in my head all summer long as I have had so many moments that I just wanted to freeze and live in for years to come. If only there was a way to truly bottle up those moments so you could easily feel the same elation and sheer gratitude of those precious moments, save those memories so you can drink them in later when life gets tough or you wake up one day to grown babies with babies of their own wondering how it can be true. I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic as I come to the end of another summer and the acceptance that my girls are growing bigger with each new day. My grandparents celebrated their 80th birthdays this past year and I've had several conversations with Gram about how amazing it must be to have a front row seat to watch your babies grow up, have babies of their own and then see those babies in turn have babies. Such a gift... but a hard realization that it all goes by so very quickly... too quickly! The truth is my sweet babies aren't babies anymore and my heart sure hasn't been able to keep up with their pace. It seems like yesterday that I held them in my arms for the very first time and promised them a lifetime of love, protection, adoration, and any and everything else their heart desired. I would find a way to get the moon if that is what they wanted. Now I just want to wrap them up in their lovies and hold them in my arms for the rest of my life.

Just the other day someone asked Emily how old she was and she eagerly told them "TWO" while showing them all five little fingers on her hand. I tried to tell her not to be in such a hurry to grow so fast as I helped her fold down the three extra fingers so her little hand would match her verbal response. I always ask my girls if they are my baby, to which I always get an emphatic, "NO, I'm not a BABY, I'm a GIRL!" My response is always the same, "Yes, you are now a big girl, but you will ALWAYS be my baby, even when you are grown and have babies of your own." I'm not so sure they get it.. just like I'm not so sure I will ever accept that they aren't my babies anymore.

Lila will be four years old next month and has all but left her "baby" days behind her. Little did I know just how fast it would go! She is so independent these days. The conversations we have just amaze me. How does she know so much stuff?!? She has very good reasoning skills, especially when she wants something, she pleads her case so convincingly that I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she persues a career in law one day. I love to sit and watch her problem solving skills too... Just this afternoon she was trying to explain to Emily that the water hose wouldn't reach the kiddie pool if it looped around the tree and the picnic table. Emily didn't understand, so Lila promptly showed her and then explained that she was bigger so she knew more things... I pretended to keep reading my book as I watched her put her hand on her little sister's shoulder and tell her, "It's okay Enemy, ask Mom, she'll tell you." Smiles always follow Lila... she just can't help but keep us all chuckling. I can describe her with one simple word... JOY! So much of my heart is wrapped up in her. My sweet, happy, cheerful Lila.

And my Emily... wow. She entered this world as a teeny tiny three pound wonder and hasn't stopped impressing me since. All of a sudden I've noticed how much she has changed. She seems so much taller to me. She is silly in a nutshell. Such a Daddy's girl... she greets me each morning with an enthusiastic, "Hi. Mom. I waked up! Daddy workin'?" She answers almost everything with a, "yep-ee" and constantly tells me, "Watch. Mom. Mom. Watch." as she goes about tasks and play around the house. She is fearless for adventure but scares easily. She can't stand to watch her Daddy throw her big sister in the air and flip her around before catching her again. She always wants in on the fun. Lila loves it and squeals with delight. Emily insists that Daddy flip her too even though it's obvious with the first swing that she's scared and doesn't like it. Lila will ask her Daddy to do it again and again until he wears out, but not Emily. Everyday she musters enough nerve to ask for a turn but quickly realizes it's not as much fun to her as it is for her sister. She must convince herself that each time will be more fun, but after one flip she is done. Her reply when Daddy asks her if she wants to go again is always a very strong, "NO"... that is until the next day when she hopes this next flip will be the fun one! She is very loving and responds to each hurt feeling or ouchie she inflicts with a kiss, which is her top lip tucked in and bottom lip puckered out... she always has had her own way of doing things! She just had her yearly evaluation with ECI and didn't get to exit the program as we had hoped but she is still as smart and fiesty as always. I've never seen so much spunk in such a little girl!

So, it's been a very busy summer. I have a lot to catch up on and tons of pictures to post, but for now I am just giving my heart a chance to catch up and accept that time just keeps marching on... ready or not, here it comes! Slow down girls... don't be in such a hurry to grow... your mama misses you already.

Little Bakers

Am I brave or what?!?!

You guys wanted to make cupcakes today and we had all the ingredients... so... cupcakes you made!
Lila, you were very excited to crack the eggs... and I was excited to fish out the egg shells..



Emily, you kept wanting to taste the fruit of your labor each step of the way!




After watching you girls actually making the cupcakes I think I will pass on enjoying them with you... it's tempting.. but we should really save some for Daddy! : )


Delicious?

You sure loved them!


You even did the dishes... or at least took care of the prewash for me!


We had a lot of fun this morning but I think tomorrow I will refrain from asking, "What do you girls want to do today?"