Remember the Time

Evie and Chris were just playing - roughhousing around. Chris threw her in the air, swung her around, tickled her, played Hide and Seek. They laughed hysterically as her hair flew all around her face. She kept yelling "More! Again!" I took a picture in my heart, to try to remember this intense happiness.

And then they collapsed in a heap on the floor. Evie looked over at Chris and said "I just don't know what to do with you, Father."

Just a regular day, but full of regular joy and fun. I don't want to forget a minute...

Special Treat

The other day, I asked Evie to help me fold the laundry. We usually watch TV while we fold, but she had already seen a couple of shows that morning. This is how our conversation went:

Evie: We can watch Yo Gabba Gabba?
Me: No, you've watched enough television today.
Evie: Please?
Me: No, too much TV isn't good for you. Let's listen to music instead.
Evie: I don't want music. Let's watch Yo Gabba Gabba!
Me: No.
Evie: Please?
Me: No. I'm not discussing it anymore.
Evie: If you let me, I'll give you a special treat! I have one in my purse...

I guess that answers the question about whether or not I bribe her too much.

Oh, and for the record, we did not watch more television! But I did giggle. A lot.

Wordless Wednesday - New Haircut

God as a Hall Monitor

Evie is becoming the hall monitor in our house. She's learning the rules, and she expects us all to follow them. If you don't, she'll tell you. You are not immune to her scrutiny, even if you are a neighbor, a random lady at the movies, or our Pastor at church.

This is what a typical day sounds like:

Put both hands on the steering wheel! You could get hurt.

Don't say "Hate," say "I don't like it," or "I don't care for it."

Be careful with scissors. Yo Gabba Gabba! says "Don't run with scissors!"

Don't say "Shoot."

Be careful in the street. There's danger!

Make sure you recycle those cans.

Save some of those tomatoes for Daddy. You have to share.

Be careful going down the stairs! You could fall!

Don't get that hot. You could get burned like Pinocchio got burned.

For Evie, everything is black or white. There are rules to follow, and you better not mess up. She's right, too - you should always keep both hands on the steering wheel, you should never say hate, you should share, you should recycle to take care of our planet. She gets so upset when I break one of these rules.

And then when I was falling asleep the other night, I remembered the Old Testament Challenge I participated in a few years ago. In one discussion, I said "I just don't get it! God tells them the rules and they break the rules. Then He tells them again, and they break them again. What's wrong with these people?" A smile played at the corner of my friend Ryan's mouth as he said "Kind of like now? Things haven't changed."

Whoa.

This is what I used to think being a Christian was all about - following a million rules. God tells you what to do, and you should do it. And those rule-breakers had better watch out! But I could never follow them all myself. While I judged others for what they did wrong, I had an even harder time letting go of my own baggage.

Being a parent has taught me that being a Christian is all about love. I don't love Evie any less when she misbehaves. When she's scared or troubled, even about something trivial, I don't shrug her off; in these moments I hold her closer and comfort her. The rules we have in our home are to keep her safe, not some kind of checklist to earn our love.

And so again, I'm thankful for the amazing love of my perfect Heavenly Father. Because He sent Jesus to take the punishment I rightly deserve, God doesn't keep track of my missteps. He's already let go of the baggage I hang on to. He's not paying attention to the rules, He just loves me.

As much as I love her, I'm glad Evie's not in charge of Eternity!

Days of the Week Song

Evie is so interested in the days of the week. She always asks "What's today's name?" I tell her, and she responds "What's the next day?"

She also likes to know our schedule. "Thursday we are going to gymnastics, Friday we're going to the pool, Saturday is Baby Nora's baptism..."

I found this little song, which has helped her learn the days of the week and the order in which they fall. She's been having fun singing it lately!

To the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, too.
Wednesday, Thursday, just for you.
Friday, Saturday, that's the end.
Now let's sing those days again:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday - New Goggles

Betty Crocker Cookies & Bars

Oh, did I get something fun in the mail!

Although it's still the thick of summer, and I am on a break from the oven, I was very excited to receive the Betty Crocker Most Requested Recipes Cookies & Bars collection. Each of the 116 recipes includes a photo, so Evie and I immediately poured through the pages.

Here's what we have on our list:
Lemon Squares
Caribbean Lime Coolers
Buckeye Delights (for Chris)
Sour Cream Cranberry Bars
Funny Face Cookies
Bear Cookie Pops

There's also a Cookie of the Month section with cute seasonal ideas for every month.

I haven't gained much weight this pregnancy, but I can tell that's about to change. Bring on the baking!

Lisa hosts Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays over at Blessed with Grace. Visit her for more yummy recipes!