Linkan First Solo-swing :-)

Linkan learned how to "pump" this week. She is so excited about this new skill! She is finding great joy in swinging around the clock. Oh, to be 4 years old again. :-) Love her. 

Big Girl Bed

It's the new year and Ben and I agreed that Palmer was probably ready to graduate from her crib to a toddler bed. So I converted her crib today. She thinks she is pretty hot stuff. Tonight, she crawled into her bed and I commented on how she was growing up and becoming such a big girl. She said, "I'm

so happy!" 

Get In My Heart

Written in early Nov. 2013...

We're in Oakley, Kansas with Ben. He has been working with the Nature Converancy on an enormous ranch and we got to tag along with him. It's been a great few days. I left the ranch with the girls after dark and as we were driving back to the hotel, Linkan and I had this conversation...

L: Mom, I don't want to go to Heaven.

M: Why not?

L: Because I don't want to die. When I close my eyes, it's scary. 

M: (after I explained the difference between closing your eyes and dying) 

Dying is a little scary, I agree. Even I am a little afraid of dying. I don't want it to hurt. But I'm not afraid of Heaven. It's where you get to go after you die if you believe in Jesus. And remember who is in Heaven, waiting to see you?

L: Uncle Sammy. Mom, How do you believe in Jesus?

M: You just pray and tell Him that you believe in Him. Then he'll be in your heart forever. 

L: How does He get in your Heart?

M: (long pause...grasping for an explanation that makes sense to a 3 yr old...haha...I've got nothing) Um, that's a good question. Kind of confusing, huh?

L: Yea... (then a little whisper from the back seat) Jesus, I believe in you. Will you get in my heart?

M: *tears*

First pigtails!

The girl's hair is barely long enough for baby pigtails! She is so proud of them!

First Float Trip!

The girls have been in our canoe before but always on small ponds. They are finally at an age and stage where we thought they would enjoy a longer float down an actual river. We started out this morning on the Delaware and it eventually converged with the Kansas river. We stopped on a sand bar to eat lunch and swim.  We all had a great time and can't wait to do it again!

Just another Tuesday

The girls and I enjoyed the warmer weather outside today. I got a kick out of them filling up this container and turning it into a little pool. Palmer was loving life. :)

We went to "work" with Ben this evening. He was working on a trail improvement project with the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club. We consider it a blessing that he has a job where it's ok for us to "tag along" sometimes. Win-win all around. 

During dinner tonight - for the very first time - unprompted and out of the blue - Palmer said, "I love you daddy". Pretty special moment. Melted her daddy's heart. It is these moments where I pause and marvel at the life that God has given me. As broken and imperfect as it is. As broken and imperfect as I am, He still affords me the most amazing miracle-moments. I am blessed indeed.

Linkan's First Haircut!

Well, the girl is 3 years old so I figured it was time. So, she got her hair trimmed tonight and her infant baby curls are gone. We saved one for her baby book. She did great and when telling her dad about the stylist Linkan said, "she made me look like a princess!"