tinkerbell or minnie mouse?

so, I just asked eden the following question:
"if you could be tinkerbell or minnie mouse, who would you rather be?"
her answer warmed my heart. "umm, neither one. i just want to be eden."
i hope she never loses that feeling!
then, there's jada... from the other room:
"i wanna be tinkerbell!!!!"
"why do you want to be tinkerbell??
"because i want to wear the minnie mouse dress."

hmmm... we can't all hit a home run everyday. :)

milestones.

When Eden was 8 weeks old, she slept through the night for the very first time. I remember how excited I was that following morning. I felt refreshed and ready to face the world. I was also very excited because I was preparing to re-enter the working world and I couldn't fathom doing that without a full night's sleep.
Jada is now 127 weeks old. 2 nights ago, she slept through the night. 10 hours. 10 glorious, quiet, restful hours. That feeling I had 8 weeks after Eden was born?? Multiply that times 16. That's how overjoyed I was yesterday morning.
I can't wait until she does this every night. but until then, I am grateful. I will never (ever, ever) take a full night's sleep for granted again.

out of the mouths....

just adding this to the list of things i never want to forget...  my 4-year-old is really figuring out the way the world works.
mama says, "what should we have for lunch today?"
ee says, "ummm.... you're just gonna have to figure that out."

yep. i guess i will.

4??!?

Eden Elaine...
You are 4!  Is that possible?? Another year has buzzed by, and you are turning into such wonderful little lady. You are starting to come out of your shell, and it has been so fun to watch you blossom. As you mother, I love the fact that other people are finally able to get a glimpse into the wonderful personality you have been hiding from everyone besides myself, daddy, and Jada.
You still love to read.. as long as you have a book, you really don't need anything else. At bedtime, most kids just want a blankie, or a baby, or a teddy. Not you. You just need a book lots of books.  Sometimes I wonder how you can even find room in your bed for yourself amongst all those books!!!
You still love to dance. It is such a joy to watch all your 'ballerina dances.'
And you sing! Oh, do you sing!! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses this gift in you and through you. And you don't just sing songs you have heard... you  make up songs. Beautiful songs. Yes, some of them are silly and don't make much sense (I like these songs, too!) but the songs you sing about Jesus are so full of heart and worship! You are typically too shy to allow me to record your oh-so-beautiful self on video, but I did manage to catch and record your very first song: July, 2011 - "in my heart, God, in my heart. In my heart, God, in my heart...." The melody was perfect, your pitch was perfect. You have a true talent, little girl.  Your current favorite 'radio' songs are 'Glory to God' by Fee, 'Slow Fade' by Casting Crowns, and 'Where I Belong' by Building 429.  Oh! and let's not forget 'Loddy, Doddy, we likes to Party!" :)
It is also so neat to see your love for Jesus. I know you are only 4, and you don't necessarily understand the fullness of who Jesus is, but you still love Him, and you know that He loves you. You ask God to heal you, you pray for people that are hurting or need help and you are so good at being thankful for what God has provided for you and our family. This truly blesses my heart!
You are a fantastic big sister to Jada. You are so good at caring for her and about her. And she looks up to you so much and loves having you as a big sister. I love to watch this relationship grow and change!
This letter would not be complete without giving a nod to your sensational fashion-sense. You have a way with clothes, girly. You put together outfits the rest of us only wish we could pull off! It will be interesting to see how this passion grows with you.
These are a few of your favorite things: Princesses, rainbows, dresses, chicken nuggets, Grammie, books, singing, dancing, playing dress up, cheerleaders, babies.
I wanted to list a few of your least favorite things, but after much thought, Daddy and I just decided that you are overall a pretty happy, content little girl!!
Thank you for all the joy you bring to our lives every single day. I absolutely adore your independent spirit and I love the way you are just full of love.
Here's to another year of living life with you and watching you grow up way to fast!!
Love you,
Mommy

i think the Buddhists call it Karma...

You know how parents often tell their children, "I hope you have a kid just like you..."  As much as we would like to pretend that our parents are wishing us nothing but well-behaved children, I think we all know what they are actually referring to is the exact opposite. So, here you go, Mom.... MY kid following in MY footsteps:
This is how the story has been told to me. It has been told to me for as long as I can remember. And every time it is told, my parents drive home that fact that it was such an embarrassing moment and I think it is just a cute story...you know, so funny, the way kids can act in public sometimes... -- Approximately 30 years-ish ago, my cousin was going into Voluntary Service and my parents and I attended her "sending-off" service. Apparently this was at a church. A church filled with people we didn't know. And apparently no one else was talking. It was quiet. Very quiet. And then a little girl piped up "But don't you wanna go home??!"  Apparently the little girls parents were embarrassed. Very embarrassed.
Fast forward. February 3, 2012. My little family attended the Northridge basketball game to participate in the fundraiser for Sammy. It was right before the Varsity game, we were surrounded by a room full of people we did not know, and the gym had quieted enough to hear a pin drop as the choir prepared to sing the National Anthem. Enter my normally quiet 3-year-old who has a new obsession with cheerleaders. She looked to her left where the cheerleaders had been and, with a look of panic, exclaimed (at a volume I have certainly never heard her speak before), "Where da cheerleaders??!?!"  I. Was. Mortified.  So, I quickly covered her mouth and whispered into her ear, "Right there, EE. They are right in front of us."
"Oh! I just couldn't see their faces!"

.... so funny, they way kids act in public sometimes....

here we grow.....

This picture was taken in April 2007. I grew out my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. And I swore I would NEVER do it again.
It's not that I didn't want to donate to a good cause. But my hair looked terrible!!  It was long, scraggly, and just plain yucky looking. I lived in a pony tail for the last several months because, really, what else could I do??! 
I have enjoyed my short hair for the last 4+ years, but I'm about to commit to something, as noted previously, I said i would never do again.  I'm growing it out.
In the past 2 years, I have crossed paths with so many people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Each 'announcement' weighs heavier and heavier on my heart. Cancer is brutal and completely unfair (yes, I know, 'no one ever said life was fair.')  And it takes so much away from its victims.  And I can't stand the fact that I feel like there is nothing I can do to help. Yes, I pray. And I know God hears those prayers and answers them, but I like to feel like I'm doing something more tangible, and I just can't.
My breaking point came last month when my cousin's son was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.  He's 13. It's not fair. I wish I could do something.
Last year, for the first time, I was able to see the benefit of a hair donation. A young girl from our church has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and she was able to trade in her beautiful bandanas for a head full of hair. And I'm guessing that's a pretty big deal for a high school girl!
So, this is my official announcement. My hair will be getting longer. It might not look pretty, but I'm not doing it to be fashionable, I'm doing it in an effort to help. It's a tiny piece, but a bunch of tiny pieces can come together to make a beautiful puzzle.
And I'm asking you, as my friends, to hold me accountable.  I will tell you right now that in about 4 months I am going to threaten to cut it all off. Please don't let me!!
And if anyone has any suggestions about a good organization to donate to, feel free to pass them on to me!
Here's to another 10+ inches.....

the library....

E: "my best part of the library is picking out books. i love to pick out books. jada, what is YOUR best part of the library?"
J: "PUPPET SHOW!!"


....it needs to be noted... Jada despises the puppet show. makes her cry. every. single. week.  but if you mention the library, that is the first thing she gets excited about. puppet show. puppet show! PUPPET SHOW!!