For fun

Emma made her own "reading nook".
This used to be my apron when I was little.

Her hair fits in a ponytail.

She put on my hoodie and purse and was ready to go out on the town.

Funny table talk

Emma is at the stage where she asks the same question over and over and over and over. Here's last night's supper talk:
Emma: outside?
Me: yep! after dinner
Emma: outside?
Me: yea, we just need to eat supper first.
Emma: outside?
Me: Yes. Eat, then outside
Emma: outside!!!
Me: that's right! but we need to eat first.
Emma: outside?
Me: what did mommy say?
Emma: no-no
Me: Oh honey, Mommy said yes. we just need to eat first. Can you say "yes"
Emma: yes
Me: Mommy-yes-outside. Can you say yes?
Emma: yes
Me: Mommy said yes we will go outside!! Can you say yes?
Emma: yes
Me: very good! What did mommy say?
Emma: no-no

I saw love today

I saw love today, but it didn't see me.
It was in the way the woman hung onto the man while he held onto his walker.
She matched her pace with his, and arm in arm, they slowly walked down the road in the sunshine.

I saw love today, but it didn't see me.
It was in the way the mom held her baby close while they rocked back and forth on the swing.
The little one looked up at his mom and reached for her face and his mom smiled down at him.

I saw love today, but it didn't see me.
It was the way the little old dog licked away the grumpy man's frown.
He couldn't help but smile and reach down, pick up his best friend, and grab the doggie a treat.

I saw love today, and it looked back at me.
It was the way my baby girl squeezed my neck in a bear hug and said, "mommy!".
It was the way my husband kissed me in the kitchen and said I'm his best friend.
It was the way my dog laid her big head on my knee and rolled her eyes up at me.

I saw Love today.

Sound asleep

I posted about Emma having separation anxiety at night and I just have to say that it's MUCH better these days! We leave her bedroom door open and I am still holding her until she falls asleep at night but if she wakes up in the night I go in and pray with her and tell her that she's ok. She has been sleeping all night for over a week now! There have been a couple nights when she woke up in the night but instead of screaming just talks to herself (very cute) and goes back to sleep- wonderful, quiet sound sleep.

Anyone else excited that it's tax day??

I am done with tax season!! yea!!! I'm so very thankful for all the extras that my mom and Jon's mom do for us during tax season. We couldnt' do it without them. I'm glad to be back to my shorter hours for the next.... well, very long time!
Tomorrow I am off and Emma and I will be enjoying our day together:) We do have a showing (the condo we rent is for sale) so that is during Emma's nap so they said we could just stay here while they show it. Other than that hour for the showing, we have no set plans. And I love it! we can just be together and play:)

Easter

Happy Easter!
Nana and Pappaw refinished my old babydoll cradle and make a bed out of it for Emma's babydoll "Debbie". The blankie has "lulabah" (ladybugs) on it.

We did an Easter egg hunt for Emma and put a chocolate chip in each egg.

We walked to the neighbor's and fed their horse "Ace" a carrot.

We made a bonfire and sat around it and roasted hotdogs.

And played in the leaves and dirt and twigs and such.

My dad and Jarrah played "chase the stick"

And we all slept great that night. Emma has been doing MUCH better at night. I am hoping that is here to stay.

Happy Easter- Christ is always a reason to celebrate- the grave couldn't hold Him! He is risen, He is risen indeed!!!

Now I lay me down to scream

I hear it's very normal for kids to go through a phase of crying when you put them to bed, and again when they wake up in the night. Separation anxiety, temper tantrums, call it what you might, I call it "sleep deprivation for the whole family"!
We were making progress by putting Emma to bed with her baby doll "sammye" and praying with her, reassuring her that we could still hear her and were not far away. She'd immediately start crying... LOUDLY! We had made progress from her crying for about 45 mintues or so, down to only 5 minutes. Last night felt like we were starting over, only worse. Her night time schedule was messed up due to a later church service last night- but still... 2 hours of crying!!! It was after midnight before she finally gave in and fell asleep. So we are trying to be patient, and compassionate, and consistent. That the best advice we've gotten. It's hard to hear her crying for you and not go in to pick her up. I have given in a couple times, but I know that only makes things worse in the long run.

I was frustrated last night. I mean, REALLY frustrated, but she eventually stopped and this morning when she woke up and I got her out of her crib she was no worse for the wear.

And later when she crawled off the couch with her cup and ran across the room, curls bouncing... I just have to smile.