A Child's View of Her President

Claire came home with a rhyme she learned at school today. Over, and over, and over, and over, and over she sang out (to the tune of "nah-nah-nah-boo-boo") "I'm the king of the castle, [so-and-so]'s a dirty rascal." She did it until I thought my ears would jump right off my head and cover my laser-beam eye balls.

"Don't sing that again, please!" (times 3, because she never listens after just one request)

As we are getting ready for our Bible story, she starts again.

"I'm the king of the castle,
Obama's a dirty rascal!"

Although I had threatened to administer the much-hated corporal punishment for singing that song again, her deep insight left me speechless, but laughing.

Yes, dear. Obama is a dirty rascal (thought, not spoken--we're working on respecting authority).

And, since I haven't posted a SK funny lately:

A picture may not always be worth a thousand words, but this one is worth a few chuckles.

Tired

Because I'm tired of looking at those goofy curtains that I see in real life when I pull up my blog to direct me to other people's lives when I'm tired of my own . . .

Because I'm physically tired and my eyes are open only because I drank a cup of coffee at 7 p.m., which I will regret in 7 hours when I try to roll out of bed to make a cake for our church potluck since I'm too tired to do it tonight. . .

Because there are more things than the fatigue making me tired. . .

Because these two sparks are often times the source of my tired, and are the only things that keep me going when I'm tired. . .

Claire sending me a message: "I love you!"

Sarah Kate, the family sign language instructor
Sometimes saying "I love you" takes determination and concentrated effort.

When I got this shirt, I knew Claire would be thrilled. I told her about her new shirt over the phone.

"I don't want to wear boy's clothes."

"But it has sparkle on it," I say with convincing enthusiasm.

"But Superman is a boy."

"This is a Supergirl shirt with gold sparkle!"

I won her over. "OK! I can't wait to show Matthew!"

Changes

We have been through some domestic changes over the last 2 weekends. It's a big deal for the eldest and youngest in the Smith house.

First, Sarah Kate got her BIG GIRL BED!

her last morning to wake up in the baby bed


helping Daddy set up the new bed

making the bed

I love this one. She is very attached to Baby, the blanket she is spreading over her pillow. Mama can shop and fret over which spread to get, but her Big Girl Bed isn't truly her's without that Baby!

my Sweet Baby

Next project. David needs curtains. He's on nights and has to sleep during the day. Now, the man can sleep under most any circumstances. I wish I had a picture to post here of my sweetheart sitting on the couch at 5 a.m., asleep, cup of milk in one hand and a half eaten PB&J on a plate in his lap. I couldn't help but laugh the morning I discovered that one! But, the poor guy does have a little trouble getting his 7 hours of dreaming with the bright sun filtering through the cracks in our blinds. We have a HUGE window facing the woods, a door to the deck, and a smaller window by my side. All great when you're be-bopping around the house. Makes the room light and airy. But when you're trying to sleep during the day--not so great. (Also not so great on those nights he's at work and I hear a bump in the night! Thank you, Ultimate Security!)

I gather my inspiration from Nester, $12 worth of brown twin sheets from WalMart ($3 each x 4 sheets), one package of upholstery tacks, a step ladder and my hammer. Following Nester's plans for window mistreatments, I get to work. I start a DVR Law & Order SVU, plug in the iron and start de-wrinkling my new sheets-turned-curtains. Iron, pause L/O, hang a panel. Iron, pause L/O, hang a panel. And so-on. The result:

BEFORE

(Please overlook the blind in need of repair. It will soon disappear!)

AFTER

I plan to add a little trim. I couldn't find anything that suited me at WalMart (de-bunking the myth that if you can't find it at WalMart, you don't need it). I would like to add some ties for the times David is among the living during the day.

I am also aware of the Adam & Eve disease my walls have. They are SO naked! I am collecting plates for over the bed. I'm also on the prowl for a new duvet or quilt.

Two new projects await us. I have one more sheet and some snazzy ribbon to mistreat my bathroom windows. David's project is to cover the one vent hole under the deck that our builder left open. There are two cats under my house going at it. Again. And again. And again. Oh, my stars! Cats in love are VERY loud!

Sweet Baby Morning

Sarah Kate got to come to Mommy's bed early this morning after a fitful cough. She slept soundly after that--a nice surprise since she often sits up in my bed and invites me to play . . . at 3:30 a.m.! And that snotty breathing was a peaceful companion since David was working.

Later in the morning, I sat in my brown chair, reading, when I heard, "Mommy, come lay for me!" (We have some issues with prepositions.) How can I resist that? I snuggled up next to my baby girl. She sweetly stared into my eyes for the longest time, smiling. We both seemed to soak up this moment, knowing there are not enough of these kind in our lives. This moment where there is nothing pressing, nowhere to go, no one or nothing else in the whole world has our attention. It is simply mother and child.

She giggled after a bit. I had to tickle her. She giggled some more. Then, she had a plan. "Let's wake up, Mommy! I want some breakfast!" How did my 10 pound angle grow into a little kid who can tell me exactly what she wants? It's nice that both of my children can now articulate their needs. I don't miss the days of incoherent crying (not much anyway). We also engaged in a banter over her name. I have labeled her "Sweet Baby." She will accept nothing except "Sarah Kate" (or one of the 15 variations we have of that double-name) or "Sweet Baby." I try "stinky poo", "big girl", "silly willy." She corrects me seriously and sternly: "I Sarah Kate Smef" or "I not stinky poo; I Sweet Baby!" May I declare now that my Sweet Baby has my heart?!

So, we headed to the kitchen to fix "honey nuts" for Sarah Kate, oatmeal for me (down, cholesterol, down!). This picture is from our little date. She ate her cereal, commenting from time-to-time, "watch this, Mommy!" A little trick she learned from her big sister. You yell, "watch this!" and then do something very non-impressive like squint your eyes or hold your spoon in the air. What is often an annoying routine became entertaining. I tried to make her feel like each move she made was fascinating. Because it was. She is mine. A gift from the Creator. So precious. I am thankful I had a morning to enjoy her in all of her two-ness.

ME-member

Sometimes I think I have to have something amazing to say here. But I think it is important to write a few random moments of normalcy for me to remember. I will call it my ME-member list.

ME-member:

• Claire wanted to send her "Get Well" card to the nurse at home (nursing home).
• Before leaving for school yesterday, Sarah Kate looked at me very seriously and said, "I look pretty." How can you not agree with that? The new addition to her wardrobe that morning: a cheap plastic headband. Made her day!
• Claire had her first "no one wants to be my friend" moment. It was totally her fault. She's bossy. She pouted, fussed, yelled at me because she was hurt. Then she drew her "she's not my friend anymore" Kaylie a beautiful picture of them being friends. Four-year-old friendships are beautiful!
• I'm terrified today of the many times I will have to lovingly counsel my head-strong child on the intricacies of friendship.
  
• When Sarah Kate gets mad, she shuffles her hands, looks down, then starts subtly kicking. Last night at dinner she got mad after being corrected for some minor infraction. I asked her, "do you need to sit on the green rug?" (our official cool-down/time-out spot). She looked at me and said, "yes." She got down and sat for about 3 or 4 minutes, then came back to the table. "I sorry, Mommy."
• I love her correctability (I know that's not a word, but it should be). She struggles with shame over breaking rules, much like her Mommy. I think that's why she tucks her chin and starts her little angry dance. But her heart turns so completely. Her instructions are to sit until her attitude changes and she's ready to apologize. She gets to set her own time. And she will sit there as long as it takes to cool down and steer her will back in line. She comes back to me, contrite. "Sorry, Mommy. Yes mam." Even if that "yes mam" is not appropriate, she does it anyway. That seems to be her 2-year-old way of communicating submission. It humbles me every time. That is how beautiful and raw my own confession and submission to my Lord should be. "Sorry, Lord. Yes Sir."
• We are done with diapers. I can't get Sarah Kate to wear the last one (she still has not conquered the nights). So, I have one diaper left. I don't know how I feel about that. I've been waiting for this moment for 4 years and 8 months. But, I'm a little sad. I don't have a baby anymore.

I'll leave it at that. If I travel much further on that train [of thought], I might just wake my snoring hubby!

(I wish I had taken a picture of them today!)

Slow Down, Mommy!

I am usually in a hurry. Hurry and get ready for work/school. Hurry and eat. Hurry in the tub. Let's hurry through this story. There is always more to do and not enough time to do it. The baby put it all in perspective for me today. We were trying to collect all of our things and family members after church, in a hurry, of course. This dialogue follows:

Me: "Come on, Sarah Kate! Keep moving down the steps. I still have to get the food out of our Sunday School room."

SK: "Slow down, Mommy! Slow down!" (with a knowing grin on her face, by the way)

OUCH!! She's two, but I think she has the right idea. Especially on this one day of the week that we have to re-focus and center our hearts and minds on our Creator. I think God had the voice of my child today. He says to me, "SLOW DOWN!" Enjoy your children. Watch for moments of grace and glory. Savor the time you have with your husband. Slow down, sit at My feet for a moment. I have so much to share with you. If you'd only take the time to BE where you are instead of always looking ahead to where you are going.

Thank you, Katie-bug, for speaking the truth in love. I'll slow down for you, baby girl!