The smell of

I love the smell of scotch tape.

Yep, you can find me in an office store wandering through the office supplies just for the smell of it. I love the smell of post-it notes, carbon paper and old books. I like the smell of puppy breath, babies heads and especially "outside" smell. People tell me that I have a sensitive sense of smell. I never thought it was out of the ordinary until I realized on a walk one day that I could tell which of the houses were doing their laundry simply because I could smell it coming out of their dryer vents! And that, the smell of fresh laundry, is one of my top favorite smells. Like Phoebe's brother on "Friends" I could curl up in a pile of clean laundry and fall asleep.

Pastor Nate talked about smells last Sunday. He actually referred to them as "fragrances". He encouraged us to be a fragrance that draws others in; one that attracts other people. Let's face it, often we stink. Not just because we need a bath, but because our attitudes are rotten; our spirits need cleaned up. Not many people want to be around us when we smell more like old locker room than we do clean laundry.

Jesus smelled good.

His spirit was the best smelling laundry one could find and because of it, people came to Him in droves. I want to be like Jesus- a fragrance so sweet that people can't stay away. A smell that draws people close and leaves a lingering fragrance long after I've gone. You know, one that smells remarkably like Christ's laundry.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15a
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

Us

Jon is taking a nap and Emma and I are bored... so we got the camera out. Emma took this picture! Just kidding:)

I realized after looking at this picture that Emma and I now have the same colored eyes.

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:)