What are you lookin' at?

Todd and I were sitting at the kitchen table with Lia tonight while she ate her snack before bed. As we watched Lia put spoonfuls of peanut butter in her mouth, she looked up at us with a wide-eyed expression and says,

"What are you guys looking at me for? I'm not cute!" She paused and started laughing, "I'm just kidding, I'm cute!"

beautiful day

All morning I have been attempting to have some quiet time. Every few moments Lia would have a need and I would get up, help Lia, fetch a drink, grab big pink or just simply chat with her about whatever pressing thing she had to say--"Mom, I just have to tell you something!" Since my time was being interrupted so much I decided I would make us some breakfast and eat outside--perhaps I could finish reading and enjoying some quiet time--Lia would be eating so hopefully, she would be distracted for a few moments.

I'm thankful that though we are approaching the end of August we are enjoying fall like temperatures. It's so lovely this morning! As we went outside this is my conversation with Lia:

Lia: "Isn't it beautiful, Mom?"
Me: "Yes! What a great day!"
Lia: "Are you going to spend time with Jesus now?"
Me: "Yep! I'm going to eat my breakfast and read and enjoy some time with Jesus."
Lia: "Well, I'm not going to be with Jesus. I'm going to hang out with Wilbur and the kids!"

The girl makes me smile!

rise and shine

This morning . . .

Lia: "Wakey, wakey, mommy!"
Tired Mommy: "Good Morning, Lia."
Lia (in a high pitched voice): "Wakey, wakey! The sun is up so you have to get up!"

Zach started 4Th grade last week. His first two days were great. He was very positive about how his day had gone and he really likes his teacher.

Last weekend we took a trip to Columbia. A friend of ours got married in Minnesota in July and to celebrate his family and friends had an open house to meet his new bride and rejoice with them. We were also able to take a stroll through campus--one of our favorite places to go as a family. Since Zach was a little guy we have had lots of fun times on campus. Zach's 7Th birthday party was at Stankowski field. We had an awesome kickball game until I kicked the ball and it popped--I can still knock it out of the field! Even Lia loves campus. She and I often went to campus to have tea and chocolate milk and hang out with the college students! I miss those times!

Our weekend in CoMo was wonderful--until we left to come home.

On our drive home Zach cried several times, when we arrived home he cried again, at bed time he had another good cry. He asked why we couldn't just move back to Columbia. Why do we have to be in KC? Why can't he be with his friends? It breaks my heart that after a year he still struggles to be away from "home".

I thought he was feeling better about being here. Everyone says to just give him more time. We validate how he feels, give lots of hugs and try to encourage his little aching heart. My prayer through this is that Jesus would make Himself known to Zach, that Zach would learn to call on His Savior and find rest and peace in His presence.

mommy day

Mom (me): Lia, what would you like to do with Mommy today?
Lia: Eat lunch.
Me: Is that all you would like to do?
Lia: I would like to eat candy with you?
Me: Can you think of anything else that would be fun to do?
Lia: No.

Lia and I get to spend the day together. Todd and Zach are off to the Royals game. We were going to make it a family trip but the heat index reads 107. Lia does not do well in the heat and we're pretty sure she couldn't sit through an entire baseball game. So, it's Mommy/Daughter day and Lia would like to eat lunch and have candy with me. I'm going to see if we can think of something else to do when we're done with lunch and candy.