I found Savannah holding on to Tehya's hair like she was in a tug a war tournament, both hands tight around the rope. Quickly I rescued Tehya, and carried a crying Vannah to the time out chair. As I carried her little body to the chair, I was surprised by the feelings that filled my thoughts. A wave of gratitude and love washed across me.

Some days are so hard.

There are times I feel like I am barely keeping my head above water.

I can't help but smile right now as I write this...I am smiling because we are given these small gifts of joy in the middle of our busy, tiresome, and difficult days. These small gifts are sometimes opened in the hardest of circumstances by someone unseen, filling our bodies with peace and love.

My kids are growing up so fast. Carrying little screaming Savannah to her chair, and feeling her tiny waist tucked in my arms made me feel so grateful, and so much love for my children. Soon they won't be small anymore. Soon they will grow up and move out. I am trying so hard to treasure these days... even if they are sometimes difficult.

July 10, 2010

Tehya said July 10, 2010 was the best day ever. At 9:00 in the morning I gently closed the zipper on Tehya's new white dress, hand sewn by her Grandmother. This heirloom dress has tears of joy and love sewn right into it. I could feel it when I first held the fabric in my hands.

I swept Tehya's hair to the side and fastened the clasp on her new silver necklace, a treasured gift from her other sweet Grandmother.

At 9:45 we left the house to drive to the church for Tehya's baptism.

As Tehya entered the waters of baptism, I know that she felt the love of those who watched.

Grandpas gave inspired talks, Grandmas gave loving prayers, and we all gave hugs and kisses.

I listened as hard as I could, trying to remember forever how she sounded singing "I am a Child of God" with Chad. What courage she has to sing in front of everyone. I don't think she saw it that way. She was just bearing her testimony through song.

We finished the day with a game of bowling, and dinner at Pei Wei, Tehya's favorite restaurant.

Almost a perfect day...I forgot to bring towels to the church to dry off with, but paper towels from the bathroom worked just fine.

Taking in the scenery

Folding laundry is not my favorite thing to do.

While engaging in this tedious chore,

I had the strange feeling I was being watched.

I looked up from the table I was working at to see this little guy...

just hanging out.

It's these little surprises that make me love my kids even more,

and make my chores a little more interesting.

I wonder which little mischievous boy placed him there to draw a smile across my face so late at night.

Creative thinking?

We were looking everywhere for my moms phone but couldn't find it. I remembered that Savannah had it last. She likes to put grandma's phone in a bag and carry it around.

"Savannah, have you seen Grandma's phone?" I asked with crossed fingers.

Most the time when you ask her important questions, she just stares and blinks.


"It's in my pocket" was her reply. My eyes rose to meet my mom's. I could tell we were both thinking the same thing.

Savannah was wearing a dress.

Her dress didn't have pockets.

"Where's the phone Savannah?"

Quickly, she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled up to her head.

It was hard to miss the rectangular shaped object protruding like a plateau in the front of her underwear.

"In my pocket."

...and flashed us that smile.

Laughter quickly erupted and filled every corner of my house.

For the past week and a half, I have had the company of my mom and my sister in law Liz. What a wonderful week it has been. They have made my shoulders feel light again! My laundry and dishes were magically done by two housework fairies. (My dishwasher croaked a couple weeks ago, so the fairies had to hand wash everything.)

We spent most of our time playing in the water at the pond, and at the pool.

They have since gone home, and I am missing them terribly!

On the brighter side, I get to spend the weekend with one of my dearest friends.

I can't wait.

And there's another brighter side too...my mom, dad, sister and Liz, Mark and Truman are coming back in 11 days.

Oh and one last brighter side...my mother and father in law come early next week!

All are welcome at the Hotel Verde! Please come and see me!

(ahem, you know who you are)

You can come stay here while you explore DC!

A rite of passage.

Can you tell what's different about Tehya? I'll give you a treat if you can!

Oh

SWEET

WATERMELON

We're all feeling much better now.