Meet a talented new author

I am pleased to introduce you to cutest, most talented, 4 year old author I know.  She just so happens to be my daughter!  This morning while I was cleaning in the kitchen, Caroline decided to join me and work at her art table.  She asked me for her scissors and later asked me to staple her paper together.  She got busy at her table and I finished washing dishes.  She came back and said "Look at my book mommy.  I drew the pictures, will you write the words?"  I almost fell out in shock!  She proceeded to tell me what to write on each page...

The cover..."Friends"

first page

second page

third page

Well the kindergarten teacher in me was THRILLED!  My girl is on a roll and I couldn't be more thankful or proud of her!

Late night reading

This kids is a hoot!  A few nights ago she was pretty quiet in her room so I thought she was asleep.  I went to check on her and this is what I found.  She was quietly laying in her bed, looking at the latest Bass Pro Shops catalog with the help of her Dora flash light.  Who would have thought it could be so interesting to a four year old!

Clean room

One day last week I asked Caroline to clean up her room so that I could vacuum.  She worked rather quickly and I was surprised when she said she was done.  I walked into her room expecting it to still be a mess, only to find it actually clean.  I asked her how she got it finished so quickly...she replied quite proud of herself "I put it behind my bed!"  So while she technically did what I asked, we still had a mess to clean up!  Love a four year old's point of view!

Farm Fun

We have been loving the beautiful weather we have had the past week or two.  Sadly it will quickly come to an end as today's high is only going to be 48 degrees...This past weekend we met some friends at the local farm and got to enjoy the new baby lambs.  The kids all had a blast and played so well together.  They were very gently with the lambs which was so sweet!

A mommy with her new babies

 the girls playing with the lambs

 feeding the baby lambs a bottle

 all 5 kids inside the baby lamb area

 they loved Caroline's pants as well as sucking on her fingers

 Seeing the kids on the gate brings back sweet memories of my childhood.  I use to love to climb the gate like this and my daddy would always make me get down...he said it would mess of the hinges.  However, our neighbor Mr. Tom would always tell him "Oh George let the kid have some fun.  Go ahead baby, climb away."  Now for those of you who knew my daddy, you didn't argue with what he said.  Funny thing is that he never argued with Mr. Tom and  I always got to climb the gate!

 trying to "call" the sheep

 feeding the calves

 crazy as it sounds, the Porto potty was the highlight of the visit!  the pretending to be the big bad wolf...eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww

Bowling with Kiptyn

This past weekend, we got to celebrate our cousin Kiptyn's 3rd birthday at the bowling alley.  It was Caroline's first time ever bowling and I definitely think we will be back again soon.  She had a blast!

 Happy Birthday Kiptyn

waiting patiently for the ball to make it to the end

 

 she looks like a pro!

 thought this was a cute picture of these two

 

A special evening

Last Thursday night, Andy and I were given two tickets to a local benefit concert.  A young youth pastor (35 years old aka almost our age) was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.  He has a young family-4 kids ranging from about 1-10 I think.  Anyway two Christian band played and the evening ended with the young man sharing his testimony.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the place!  Some of the highlights...paraphrased of course because I didn't right them down while he was talking.

• There is nothing special about us...we are a normal family who happens to be dealing with cancer.
• I wasn't really shocked to find out I had cancer...being a Christian doesn't mean that I won't be faced with difficult situations.
• I don't beg God everyday to spare my life...sometimes I do because I want to protect my family.
• I get up every single day and pray and ask God to be glorified through me.
• I can't lie and say that I am glad I have cancer.  But I can say that I am thankful that I have cancer because it's a daily reminder that I need Jesus.  I might forget some things from day to day but I never wake up and forget that I have cancer.  I never forget just how much I need my Lord and Savior Jesus.

His outlook reminded me so much of my daddy's.  So strong and so positive!  Yet I couldn't help but think of unfailing trust in Jesus.  His desire to honor him.  His strength in the Lord.  He isn't afraid to die.  Yes he doesn't want to think of leaving his wife but he knows what the future holds and where he's going.  What an inspiration...what a reminder to be thankful for each and every day that we wake up! 

Saturday Fun

 Last night Caroline got to enjoy celebrating Ansley Kate's 5th birthday by going out to eat followed by a sleep over at Ansley Kate's.  She talked about it for days and was packed and ready before she left for school yesterday!  She had so much fun!  Mommy and Daddy got to enjoy a fun date, just the two of them!!  AND got to sleep in this morning!

We picked Caroline up at the YMCA.  Jay had a basketball game, as did Tyler and Catherine.  Just so happened that they all were playing in the same space at the same time!

Tyler with his arms in the air

 the moment Catherine realized Caroline was there

 Jay dribbling the ball towards the goal

Quick. Easy. Cheap. Fix!

To say we have had a few car issues the last two months is a definite understatement!  One thing led to another, one small issue turns into a bigger issue and one flat tire equals another flat tire.  So when we tried to roll C's back window up and it went "bump" we seriously had to laugh to keep from crying!  Given the forecast, I knew I had to do something quickly or I would have a soaked back seat.  Not wanting to have to spend the money to fix it, I asked a lady at work.  She suggested suction cups...so I picked up 4 heavy duty suction cups and the window hasn't budged...WOO HOO!  Thought I would share in case anyone else finds themselves in this situation...or in case you see us and wonder what in the world we are doing!! :0)

Looking back...

Everyone tells new parents to enjoy every season and don't rush one single minute because it will go by in the blink of an eye.  As a new parent, you don't want to hear it...this little baby human that you brought into the world isn't following one single direction you gave and looks at you as if you are speaking Greek!  And you think "What in the world was I thinking?  What am I doing wrong?"  "Why can't I figure this parenting thing out?"

 

And then before you know, you have a precious 4 year old little girl. A little girl who is sweeter than sugar and stops as she is running through the den to curl up on the couch, give you a hug and says "I love you mommy!"  And somehow the whole world is made perfect!!!!!

 

If I could rewind my life 4 years, I would go back and do things a lot differently.  Instead of complaing about sleepless nights, I would cherish the quiet hours of darkness rocking my sweetI innocent baby girl.  Instead of begging her to lay in her crib and go to sleep all by herself, I would rock her a little longer.  Instead of trying to make her older than she was, I would embrace the difficult times and each season of her precious little life.  I can't even begin to count the number of times I sat and cried because I thought I was doing something wrong...and in a way I was...I was wishing the struggles of each stage to pass...

 

I have been reflecting on these last 4 years a lot lately and decided to take a stroll down memory lane with some sweet pictures of the spunky, full of life, always has an opinion, emotional, loving little girl I call my Sweet Caroline!  Hope you enjoy and maybe remember a few of these...so thankful I am a camera loving momma! 

 

the moment everything I had ever known suddenly changed...

 she captured her daddy's heart the moment he saw her

the precious, flawless face of an angel

 our greatest Christmas gift in 2008

 her baptism...

 her love for lovey began early on

 

Caroline's adoption day celebration!!!!  Our family waited 8 LONG months for this special day

first summer at the beach and she has loved it every since

 feeding herself...look at that sweetness!!

 deep in thought

 the mischeif begins...playing in the potty!

 happy first birthday baby girl!

 not so happy about taking a picture in the caterpillar

remember this day all too well...she took off her diaper, pee peed in her crib and attempted to change her own diaper!

 she CRIED through the entire session...later we found out that she had a double ear infection

 peaceful...with an extra paci

 the day she decapitated my birthday dolls...not a good day...

 exhausted after her first trip to the ER when we thought she may have taken Excedrin PM, thankfully it was just an empty bottle!

"oooppppsss" we saw this face a lot

 my girl has always loved packing a bag when we go somewhere

hard at work decorating Christmas cookies

my running buddy

 being creative

watch out 3K, here comes Caroline!!!!!!!!!!!

 always proud of herself, hopefully self esteem will never be an issue for our girl

 more creativity

 my gorgeous princess!

 also got a little tom boy in her

 lives life to the fullest, always in full gear!

I can't imagine life without this spunky, knows what she wants, curly headed, talented, creative, often shy, loves deeply, always willing to please, precious little girl!  Even when life is hard and parenting is even harder, I wouldn't trade one day.  I was reminded this past Sunday at church that our children are given to us on loan from the Lord.  They can be taken from us at any minute, without any explanation...oh Lord help me never take for granted the amazing gift you have given me!