Birthday Wrap-Up

I think it's safe to say that Lilly's 4th birthday party was a success. She and her little friends (including cousin Avery) had a blast. In fact, it was so fun, even the birthday girl didn't care as much about cake and presents as just playing. I felt like a meanie telling her she had to stay at the table because Chuck E. Cheese was about to come out for the birthday "show." In true Lilly fashion, she covered her ears when the show started, but fortunately they turned down the volume. She and her little friends had a great time dancing on the stage with the singing characters, and each got their picture taken with the "real" Chuck E. Cheese.

Even though the party host was in charge of the schedule, we were still beat when it was over! I thought I might need an adult beverage to wind down after the party, but Elliott and I were conked out by 9:00, no beverage required.

On another big note, Lilly is in the process of breaking her thumb sucking habit. We started on her actual birthday, because 4 year-olds don't suck their thumbs. She took that statement as truth and agreed to the reminder of a band-aid on her thumb to help her remember. We actually went with 2 band-aids. One big fabric one for the texture effect, and one character one over that to make it fun. She chose Transformers. My precious girl. Anyway, as an extra precaution I bought some of the nasty tasting nail polish stuff and painted her thumb nails. She only sucks her left thumb, but I'd read somewhere that sometimes kids will switch sides in desperation, so I decided to make them both taste bad. (I painted one of mine too so I can keep track of how long the gross taste lasts. It's pretty foul, I must say.)

She has been doing so well! No complaints at all. She didn't nap for the first 2 days, which didn't surprise me, but she has slept at night (probably because she's so tired from not napping) and woken up with the band-aid still dry. I don't think I've ever been more proud of her! This girl has been an avid thumb sucker since she was 4 months old. It is her means of soothing and the reason she has been such a great sleeper. Definitely a tough habit to break, but she's doing it! We keep the band-aids on for sleep time and in the car because that's the other time she sucks her thumb.

We're off to Tahoe today to spend a couple of nights and play in the snow. Hopefully we don't get snowed in!

A Special Day

I wasn't planning on posting anything until after Lilly's birthday party, but I had to share this.

Today Lilly invited Jesus into her heart. She has been talking about Jesus being in her heart for the past week or so. On the way home from BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) this morning, where the kids have their own age-appropriate Bible teaching and worship times, she mentioned it again. Before nap time while we were rocking and cuddling I asked her how Jesus got in her heart. She wasn't sure, so I asked her if we should pray together and ask Jesus to come in. I prayed a simple prayer and she repeated the words after me. I know that she doesn't really comprehend sin and its offense to God and our need to have our sin-debt paid, but that will come. For now, she has encountered Jesus and her little spirit recognizes that she is made to live with him.

My momma heart is melting all over the place and I am so thankful.

Lots of random tidbits

Yikes! I haven't blogged since the end of January??? I hope you haven't totally given up on me.

In the spirit of random tidbits (and grasping at how to get this blogging ball rolling again) I bring you a bulleted list. But first, a picture...

• As part of the nightly reading, Lilly and Elliott read one "story" from Lilly's bible. Last night they were on Jesus' crucifixion. Appropriate with Easter approaching. Anyway, Lilly looked at the above picture of Jesus and said, "He's got a lot of ouchies on his face, just like me. *Pause* Jesus needs a LOT of band-aids!"



• Yesterday she taught me something. When a bird says "tweet-tweet" that's actually Spanish for "bye-bye." Who knew???



• Our annual Dillon Beach trip in February was great. We missed my mom and Joe (Joe was in the middle of chemo/radiation and feeling horribly) but had a great time with the Candido clan. I was a slacker with my camera and am waiting on someone to email me her pictures.



• Speaking of pictures, I have finally finished putting Lilly's 4 years of pictures into albums! Applause for me! It has been intimidating and overwhelming me for quite some time. Being caught up feels so good, and has motivated me to stay on top of it before another 4 years go by.



• Yup, Lilly turns 4 this Friday the 26th. I can't believe it. We're having 4 of her friends and our family to a party at Chuck E Cheese. Pray for us. :)

On a more serious note, we had a "possibility" come our way a couple of months ago. There was a baby due to be born whose mother was considering us as parents for her unborn child. We ultimately decided that this wasn't the right situation for us, but it sparked some changes.

While it showed us that we really do want another child (it was REALLY hard to decline, but right for our family), it also brought to a head the need to surrender (again) the outcome of our family size to the Lord. He knows our desires, and he knows what is best, much more than we do. So, in the past 6 weeks he has been helping me (especially) to surrender the outcome to him. My prayer is continually, "Make me content with your plan, whatever it looks like." For now, that means being perfectly content with Lilly as an only child. We took the crib out of her room that has sat empty for the last 2 years . For me, it was a symbol of surrendering to God's plan. Having the crib in there said that we were incomplete as is. Taking it down has helped me to better balance being thankful for what I have, hopeful for what I still desire and content either way God leads. The anxiety about where to "camp" my heart is gone. Thank you Lord.

The other thing it prompted is getting us off our rears to get some yard projects done this spring/summer. We realized that with Lilly being at the stage she is, the time is now! We can both work outside and Lilly can play nearby. If another baby comes along, the project train will again be stalled. It's quite exciting and actually makes me think, "I hope nothing comes along until we get this done." :) Of course, if it did, we'd be thrilled and the yard would take a backseat again.

That's it for now. I'll leave you today with this cutie and will be back with birthday pictures...