sound of singing

I am sitting at the computer checking e-mails, visiting blogs and all the news sites that I go to every day. Basically, I'm just wasting time.

While I sit here wasting time I hear Lia singing in the living room. I love when she sings. She has such a deep, raspy voice and the words of the songs always get jumbled. I had to pause from my tour of websites to just listen . . .

"beauty that makes this heart adore you, hope of a life spent with you . . .here I am to worship . . ."

sweet. precious. and a reminder of who we are meant for and what we are meant for.

the sweet smell of . . .

While Lia was giving me a hug this afternoon . . .

Lia: "Mom, you smell so great!"
Me: "Thanks, sweety. What do I smell like?"
Lia: "You smell like beeeffff . . . MMMM!!"

Zach and I were laughing too hard to respond. Really? Beef? Perhaps espresso--since I am wearing my clothes for work.

Our friend LauraMcComas came to visit us yesterday. Lia loves LauraMcComas! As we all do of course! Lia kept asking if she could sleep downstairs with Laura. Todd said not this time and put her in her own bed. (lia calls laura by her full name--it's so cute)

3:00 am. Lia is in our room and keeps asking if she could go downstairs and sleep with Laura.

Me: Nope.
Lia: Please.
Me: Nope.
Lia: Please. When can I?
Me: Not tonight. Go back to your bed.
Lia: Scratch my back.
Me: What time is it?
Lia: Mom, scratch my back.
Me: dazed, sleepy, confused . . . scratching her back.
Lia: Keep going. Move to the right.
Me: Lia go back to bed. It's very late.
Lia: I want to sleep with Laura McComas
Me: Not tonight.
Lia: stomp. stomp. slams our door. opens it again. i want to go downstairs!
Daddy: up. frustrated (and he doesn't get frustrated.)
Lia: back in her bed.
Me and Todd: that girl is spicey. what was she thinking?????

a thursday in november

This season of Fall is not disappointing me. It's been beautiful in every way. Here are a few thoughts and observations from this beautiful Thursday in November.

1. This morning I slept in. Normal wake up time is between 6:00-6:30. Since I worked last night I stayed in bed until 7:00. As I was waking up I was surprised to hear Zach talking with Todd. He has been asking for Todd to wake him up early--this is not at all normal. Todd woke him up at 6:30. They ate breakfast, read Matthew 21 and prayed together. Zach loved it. And for me to hear them from our bedroom was pretty wonderful.

2. The wind has been strong the past two days. Watching the leaves blow down the street is pretty fantastic. It's as if hundreds of runners are racing towards the finish line of a long race. Or maybe like dancers twirling around in circles as the breeze carries them.

3. Lia begs to go to Chipolte at least 3-4 times a week. The only thing she eats is rice. A full bowl of rice. Today I took her to satisfy her craving--she smiled throughout her entire meal.

4. A very dear friend, Sherry, is in town for a few days. I was able to spend some time with her this morning and felt so refreshed sitting and chatting with her and her mom. So thankful for these times.

5. Zach told me on his way to school that when he and two of his friends grow up they are going to be roommates. He talked about how cool it was going to be for all of them to be together and that they would have tons of lego's and clones. I smiled and asked, "Do you think that when you are older you will enjoy the same things you do now?" He paused for a second and then said, "Oh, ya! We are going to have so many clones and set up the coolest lego stuff." It's possible I suppose.

6. Last weekend we were in Columbia. It was wonderful. I think I smiled the entire weekend. Fall festival, wedding of a dear friend, appetizers on the patio at Flatbranch with my dear friend, Somer, church Sunday morning, faces and hugs from people I treasure . . . my list could go on and on!

7. Letters from friends are priceless.