Almost One. . .

Big girls. . .get to sit forward!
It's so nice to get to see Sophia's face, and be able to hand her her food or sippy cups without too much trouble.
It's fun to see her looking out the window she looks so much like a little lady!

Think Fast. . .

Can you name 10 different brands of beer?

Now how 'bout 10 Commandments?

Hmmm does God need a better marketing team? How 'bout a Super Bowl commercial?

"But in your hearts always set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give you a reason for the hope that is within you. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

"Hope that is within you". . .hope of what? That's a very good question. Hope that there is something that makes life worth living. Hope that there is someone out there that cares for me. Hope that I can be loved even at my worst. When I look at the 10 Commandments I see the worst parts about me, I know I haven't murdered, but I have lied, probably stolen (I won't lie.) So that makes me a liar & a thief and that's only 3 of 10 commandments. Is there any hope for me? Oh but I'm a good person, but deep down I don't think so. In fact, deep down, I wonder if anyone could really ever love me if they really knew me? But I have hope in a God who isn't afraid to look at me-all of me-he's not turned off by my ugly parts, in fact he loves me so much that he took those ugly parts upon him. Making me clean, pure, not needing to be separated from Him because I was a thief or a liar or covered in guilt & shame.
I have hope that there will be an end to the pain, a restoration of wholeness.
I have hope that I have a purpose in this world. A true reason to live.
I have hope of comfort when our broken world hurts beyond belief.
I have hope that God can use all the hurts for something beautiful. He doesn't trivialize my problems with answers or empty explanations. But he can touch the hurt, relieve it, even heal it.
I have hope that anyone can share in this beautiful gift.

Stolen Moments

That groundhog has some 'splainin to do!

Not a week ago, Sophia and I were basking in 50 degree weather and even spotting happy Robins happily hopping with the hopes of spring. Then Friday, it got nasty. Really nasty. As if the flu and RSV bugs weren't reeking havoc on the kids around here, a snow storm turned into lotz and lotz of ice. Sheets of ice on the streets, on the windows, on the cars, any place that wasn't a city road, became a deadly ice skating rink. Like a friend of mine said, think Bambi on the frozen pond. Our local grocers have been selling out of milk and bread watching their sales go up by 40%, the power went off late Friday taking the cable and internet down with it.

Museum's have closed, and church has been cancelled all over the city. Its been a long time since church has been cancelled on a Sunday, typically snow doesn't slow this part of the country down too badly. Its a regular part of life, but ice is another matter. My parents just got their power back but somehow lost their water (the well shut-down) so what did they do? Melted snow and ice for coffee and bathing of course. North Dakota natives far too familiar with deadly blizzards it takes quite alot to shut them down. My parents have a healthy respect for the elements and wanted to make sure I grew up with the same. My car has always been packed with a survival kit of snacks, blankets, flashlight, and a candle. Why a flashlight and a candle? Because a human being can survive with the heat of a single candle. Oh yeah, now that's what I call survival skills. The best part of growing up with pioneer parents? When I was learning to drive my dad would take me out IN THE BLIZZARD! So that I would learn how to drive in extreme conditions. Life is never boring around here!

First steps out in the sunshine. Sophia was a little puzzled by this space--where has this been all my life she seemed to ask? But it didn't take long before she acclimated herself. Too bad it will be another six more weeks until she can try it again!

All the snow was melting. . . but hey, now she has her own hockey rink outside!

Celebrate Africa~Come Join Us!

Saturday, February 24, 2007; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM African American Museum & Cultural Center
Travel the entire continent of Africa without leaving Cedar Rapids! Visit some of the numerous and distinctive countries on the African continent with people who have lived there. Navigate the Nile through Egypt, take a Safari in Tanzania, wrap your tongue around the click languages of Swaziland, sample Senegalese snacks, find fashions from Chad, and much more! Ballet Academy’s Carol Rezabek will demonstrate and teach two African dances, visitors can learn to sing in Swahili, and visit special guest Millie, a giant African millipede!

Sat, Feb. 24; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
55 - 12th Avenue SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
COST Free
CATEGORY Children
PHONE (319) 862-2101(319) 862-2105 fax
EMAIL events@blackiowa.org
IF YOU WANT TO GO... Just show up
Visit This Organization's Website

Sick Days & Snow Days

This post could also be titled record highs and lows, with the freezing cold temperatures outside it has been easy for us to become a little housebound. But when Sophia's temp started to climb on Tuesday we didn't need any excuse to quarantine ourselves. I knew it was bad when my energetic little girl was laying on the floor batting at her toys limply with one hand. Thank heavens for the arm-pit temperature taking. I just don't have the heart for the alternative (and I don't mean the ear.) And thank heaven for Children's Tylenol.

Parenting, for me, is all about instinct. I don't have much previous child experience so it amazes me when my instincts kick in. Especially, when I noticed that Sophia was lethargic and eating less Monday night, so I wasn't surprised when her temp spiked Monday morning. You worry and worry that you'll miss the things that will hurt your children. A dangerous item within reach, a tumble down the stair, or a fever. And yet it creeps up on you--the multiple changing, feeding, lifting, playing, somehow you discover you know your child better than you know yourself. And b/c your constantly touching them, thinking about them, talking about them, it happens, you notice something. . .Little at first, but it doesn't matter, you noticed it before it happened. And for just a moment, you sigh and think maybe, just maybe everything will be okay after all.

Two tiny feet
that wave in the air. . .

Two tiny hands
that tug at your hair. . .

An adorable little face

A bundle of love & joy to embrace

Little moments. . . giant rewards

My little hands play patty-cake
They peek-a-boo and wave.....
They catch me while I learn to walk,
And splash me as I bathe.
They hold your fingers tightly
And touch your heart so deep...
My little hands reach out to you
For hugs before I sleep.....
My little hands are tiny now continued
But yours will serve to guide me.
And when I'm grown I'll still reach out
And know you're right beside me.

Happy Birthday Garmai

Happy Birthday to Me!

Recently, Nate surprised me with a wonderful birthday experience. Sunday, January 28th, Nate's parents dropped us off at a gorgeous hotel on Michigan Ave. Whisking away our little girl for a lovely sleep-over with her grandparents and auntie. Nate treated me to an incredible dining experience at Avec http://www.avecrestaurant.com/ A unique french restaurant off-the-beaten-path that topped off a great evening. One of the best parts of being married is having a partner who knows exactly how you would spend a day to yourself. It was so good to be back in my old city. Thank you Nate for an unforgetable birthday!

Lucky Girl

Sophia with both sets of grandparents!
Kaga & Kaga and Nana & Papa
What a lucky little girl to be loved so very much!

Saying goodbye to Baba!

How big is Sophia? So Big!