Safe Place

I sat down to right a post about something cute that Graham said, but I think I'll save it for another day. I can't get these storms out of my mind. I think about family who barely escaped death in Tuscaloosa, I think about videos of the most ominous looking tornado I've ever seen, I think about me pacing the hall in the early morning debating on whether we should wake the kids up and get to our "safe place."

Two years ago a tornado struck about a mile away from us and it killed a young mother and her baby who was only a few weeks younger than Graham. I've been a little more terrified of tornadoes since then. On that Good Friday, I saw the tornado on TV and heard the news anchors calling out street names near my home. I sat in our "safe place" with my two month old son scared for our lives.

There's a part of me that wants to move where tornadoes don't exist or build a storm shelter or do something completely radical. I want a really safe place. And then I'm reminded that if the Lord wills that I no longer live, I will die and if the Lord wills that I will live, I will live. No storm shelter can alter God's will for me and my family. It's terrifying and yet at the same time completely comforting. My "safe place" is in Jesus and Jesus alone.

Now Who Doesn't Like a Giveaway??

So, I've got a baby who thinks she only needs to nap for 15 minutes a day. Need I say more? I haven't done much blogging. But, it looks like she is improving, and I hope that means my blogging will improve as well. I have too much fun writing to abandon this thing altogether. I will be back. Meanwhile, you should check out Jenna's giveaway. She's got some really cute art prints that I think would be adorable wedding or baby gifts. The two pictured above are some of my favorites. I'm thinking about asking Jenna to change the second one to "SLEEP BABY." I mean, little Lucy is still adorable and sweet, but I just wish she would sleep! So go check out Jenna's blog today! You might just win a free art print.

Check it Out!

Have you seen my friend Jenna's blog? Everyday Clever is cute, fun, and full of great design ideas. Jenna was one of my college roommates and is now teaching while finishing her interior design internship. So...I think you should check it out. You might just get inspired to do something new to your home!

The Worms Are Out!

It's storming today, and the worms are out...at least in our kitchen. I wasn't up for getting out, so instead we stayed at home and made dirt pudding. I almost forgot about that stuff. But then I had a 2 year old and was quickly reminded. Graham sure enjoyed it...just like he enjoys anything chocolate. He told me the worms were scary, but then he ate them, so I guess they weren't too scary. I didn't have any Cool Whip, so I made real whipped cream, and it made it even better! You can tell from the pictures that G had to have a bath before nap time. Chocolate covered him from head to toe!

A Book Without Pictures

I asked G if he wanted to read a book, and he went to the bookshelf and pulled this one off. Then he told me, "Read self." Okay Graham, knock yourself out. He sat there for a few seconds so he could "read self" and then gave the book to me so I could read it to him. I said, "Don't you want to get a book from your room that has pictures?" He replied, "Read this." So I began reading him The Summary of Christian Doctrine. I'm pretty sure applying for seminary is on his agenda for tomorrow.

Space

"Aw!" "Almost!" "Fall in Water!" "Splash!" "I did it!"
I bet you're a little confused right now, but these are all things that Graham said last night as we watched Wipeout. The kid loves that show. Who would have thought? I looked at him with a smile thinking about all the times I had gotten frustrated with him throughout the day. Wanting affirmation that everything was okay, I reached over, grabbed his hand, and said, "I love you Graham." He simply retracted his hand and said, "Space."

And of course I knew exactly what he meant. When he follows me into the bathroom I say, "Graham, I need some space." I wasn't sure he completely understood me. But I'm now convinced he has a pretty good handle on what "space" means. Okay Graham, I'll give you some "space." Just don't turn into a teenager too quickly, you hear?

Mudpies and Happy Faces

This is the book that Jeff so appropriately chose as Graham's potty book. Thank you very much Jeff. I love cleaning up mudpies.



And in other news, this is what our son looks like when when tell him to close his eyes as tight as he can. It is also what he looks like when you tell him to smile for the camera. Go figure.



And this is our happy little girl. I'm thankful to be saying "happy." She's been going through a very fussy stage, but I think we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm at least happy that she's been sleeping really well. Eight to ten hours between feedings at night! Graham was about 7 months old before he started doing that!