Project Runway, Here She Comes!

Abigail and I were out for a little "us" time last night and came home to find that the famous seamstress had been busy at work.  She recently debuted her first piece here, remember?

She took one of Ron's shirts, similar to the one pictured here...

...and reconstructed it to a size 2T.  The stitching is impecable, no? 

She could hardly wait until he woke this morning so she could do a fitting.

Gabe says he's ready for GQ.

Tic Tac - A Funny Cat

Tic Tac - A Funny Cat

By: Madeline S.

Once I saw a cat on a mat

in a hat with a bat

That cat on a mat in a hat with a bat 

said, "Take me off this mat

out of this hat

and away from this bat!"

So I did.

(Tic Tac is Aunt Bethany's cat)

Madame President

I had an interesting conversation in the car with Madeline:

M: One day when I am President....

Me: Wait, what?

M: When I am President of the United States...

Me: Oh, sorry.  Didn't know you were going for that.

M: I am.

Me: Ok, go on.

M: The first thing I'm going to do is make a law for companies that they can only advertise their own product and not discredit the other company. (exact wording)

Me: Ah, very interesting.  Explain your thinking behind this legislation.

M: Well, they can talk about the good and bad of their own product but they can't say negative things about the other company.

Me: And why would this be top priority - you know, as soon as you are elected?

M: So the other company's feelings don't get hurt.

And there you have it, my friends.  Your future President's first initiative.

Snail Mail

One of Madeline's English projects was to compose and mail a letter to someone.  She wanted to complete this task completely on her own so I never saw the letter.....or knew it was for moi.

This is what I received in the mailbox today:

(my address)

(date)

Dear Mom,

I know how much you work.  Thanks for that.  I love you, your the best Mom ever.  I've never seen a better Mom than you.  I love you.

Senseerily,

Madeline

Ugly cry, Anyone?

Counting to 20

Madeline is teaching Lauren to count to 20.  

She wrote a song to help her and I managed to snag it long enough to post here:

(to its own - and quite original - tune)

Counting to 20 can so fun.....1,2,3,4,5

Then comes 6,7,8,9,10

And then comes 11,12,13,14

Here comes 15

Maybe 16

Also 17

Then comes 18

What about 19?

The last one is 20!

Oh, how I like to count with Lauren

Will you count next time with me?

A Heavenly Perspective

Our Pastor heard this story from a friend of ours and asked Ron to share it during his sermon:

--------------------------------------------------

As I was packing for a 2-day business trip, I was approached by Madeline, our 7-year-old daughter.  She said in a soft and almost troubled voice, "Daddy, you can't go.  You have to stay." 

I knew by her eyes and the tone of her voice that this was sincere.....it was not that she was losing her jungle gym for 2 days (I like to rough house with the kids) but more that she was in a place that she didn't want to be without me.

We had recently watched a movie together where the little girl was not sure her father was going to return to her.  I knew this was on her mind.

I explained that while she was far more important than my job, I did have a responsibility to do my work with excellence....which sometimes means an out-of-town trip.  Following through on my work is honoring to God and my family.  She seemed to understand, but was still not happy about it.

A few minutes later she brought me a note -- and in her wonderful 7 year-old letters -- she wrote, "Please sleep on the floor beside my bed tonight?  Circle 'Yes' or 'No'"

Of course I circled "Yes!"

She returned a few minutes later with an addition to the note that said, "What time? _____"

I wrote down a time and she seemed satisfied with the response.

Later that night, I went in to sleep beside her bed.  I found a new note sitting on top of two pillows.  "Please bring me down to sleep with you.  Put me on the stripes pillow and you get to sleep on the pink pillow.  And don't forget to snuggle with me."

I can't tell you what a precious moment that was.  Her genuine desire to be near me.  It was not a manipulative thing, just pure and genuine love.  She could have asked me for anything - literally anything! - at that moment and I would have given it to her.

I felt like a got a glimpse into our Heavenly Father's perspective.  He just loves when we want to be near Him.  When we have that genuine desire, there is nothing He wouldn't do for us.

-Ron

11-16-08

A Christmas Poem

Madeline wrote a poem in her journal today that made my day even brighter.

(I've lovingly corrected the spelling errors for her ;)

Christmas is coming

Presents are wrapped

Snow is coming

Season galore!

Cold breath

Bundled up

Snow everywhere

I love Christmas

I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit.

(and the presents are definitely not wrapped!)

Check Yes or No

There was a handwritten message on my desk this morning.  It said,

Why do Moms have to do so much work?

Please answer here:  ___________

Can I have an extra sheet of paper?  I think this one might be an essay question.

-------

And since several of you have asked what I really replied, I wrote:

I wish I knew.

Big Question

Here is the first interesting conversation of the day....before breakfast:

Madeline: (running into room with anticipation)  Mom, am I adopted?

Me: Umm, no.  Well, I mean God adopted all of us, is that what you are talking about?

M:  No, I'm wondering if I am adopted.  (very hopeful)

Me: You're not sweetie.  (letting her down gently)

M:  I just really thought I was because of this picture.  (she thrusts photo in front of me)

Quick break:

Ok, at this point, I am trying not to burst out laughing.  Its a photo that our friends Liz and Charlie took when were at Disneyworld.....11 years ago.  They took the photo from behind and we are walking towards a crowd of people (with our hands in each other's back pockets....but that is an entirely different story.)

Ok, we're back:

M:  I mean, you look like you are running to get me.  Like I was being adopted.  

Me:  (still letting her down easy)  Sweetie, you actually came out of my tummy.   Isn't that exciting?

M:  Yeah.  (definitely no Oscar nomination)

She's Her Mother's Daughter

....that is a saying isn't it?  A strange one though, right?  Who else would she be?

Anyway, I thought of it today as were baking cookies.  As they were coming out of the oven Madeline said, "I'll get the wax paper!"  

Now, I know, most people use cooling racks, or just leave them on the cookie sheet, but my Mom always put our warm cookies on wax paper to cool.  She would tear the largest sheet ever and spread it out on the counter and start scooping cookies onto it. 

 

And so, of course, I do the same.  

And for the past 2 days (Wait, did I just say that out loud?  My mistake.                       Ok, fine.  We made oatmeal cookies yesterday and chocolate chip today.  What's your point?) Madeline has grabbed the wax paper and started ripping.

That's my girl.

You've Got Mail!

On occasion, I have mentioned to Madeline that I don't get many letters in the mail anymore. With email, cell phones and all the "instant" ways to talk,  its almost a lost form of communication.  I have no idea when the last time I mentioned this but it has definitely been a while.

Anyway, we arrived home from vacation and today the Postmaster delivered a huge bin of mail at our front door.  As I brought it in to start the madness, I noticed an envelope sitting at the top: "To Mommy, Love Maddie."

 

The letter inside read:

Dear Mom, 

I now you only get taxes so I'm righting a letter for you.  Love Maddie.  

P.S. Please get right back if you can.

I am off to compose some snail mail.

Tea Party

I took Maddie to her first real tea party today.  We had a lovely time.

Throwback Friday

Maddie and Abby in August of '05.  They were playing in this same spot in the kitchen this morning.  

Don't even get me started.

Things I Learned in 1st Grade

One of Madeline's final school assignments was to make a list of the things she learned in 1st grade.  Here was her list:

• In First Grade I learned that I need to obay.
  
• Make sure you are always kind.
  
• Build people up do not tar (tear) people down.
  
• A poam does not have to rime.
  
• A lot of people like to right books.
  
• A lot of people like to play.
  
• God is always watching over me.
  

Simply stated.

Morning Devotion

Madeline will often leave drawings and notes at the door to our room for us to find in the morning.

As I was coming down for breakfast this morning, I had one of these notes at our door.

The first page said, "Mom" and had a beautiful rainbow.

The 2nd page said, "God, you are my God and I will every prays you.  I will seek you in the morning and I will follow you all of my ways."

Out of the mouth of babes.

Talk about a good morning cry.

My Little Inventor

Madeline is learning about Simple Machines at school and brought home her workbook to show me.  On the last page she was to draw a picture of a "Machine of the Future" and explain how it worked.

Here's what she wrote:

--------------------

"I would like to have an Anything Machine.  It can do anything that you want it to do.  It will do thees things - wash and dry, clean your room, and things you can never amagine.  I love to be an inventer."

She drew a machine that looks like a giant robot with huge claws....wearing quite the stylish polka-dot outfit.  He is saying, "I do not take badderies."

As I was reading it she said, "Mom, I picked that one so you would have some help around the house."

--------------------

I'm very much looking forward to this thing being invented.

Words of Wisdom

Madeline made homemade Mother's Day cards for all of her aunts.

One of her cards read:

To Aunt Rebecca -

A child only holds your hand for a little while.  Then, they let go to get married.

That one got me where it hurts.

My Favorite Day

Madeline had to construct what her "favorite day" would look like, complete with illustrations.

While I can't do the pictures justice, let me give you a peak into the day:

She would wake up and go swimming.

Eat some cake.

Head to COSI (Science museum)

Swim in the ocean.

Collect seashells.

See a sea horse.

Color.

Head to the park.

See a rainbow.

Sing to God.

Go fishing.

Head to the slopes for some snow skiing.

Make a craft.

Eat some bubble gum.

Go to the circus.

Celebrate Christmas.

Followed by Valentine's Day.

Conclude with a birthday party....for herself.

That is one day I would not want to miss!

Happy 7th Birthday Madeline!

Girl, you rock my world.  You are an amazing blessing in my life.  Each day with you is an incredibly wonderful day.  Truly.  I could not be more thankful to God that He gave you to us.

Your heart is so full of generosity and love.  So much so, that I could never claim it as "good parenting."

I will never, ever forget the moment - 7 years ago - when you came into this world.  Ten after noon on a beautiful, sunny Friday.  One glance and I was completely head over heals.  You changed my life forever.  I am honored to be your mommy.  I consider it the highest calling.

I love you....all the way to heaven ;)

Mom

Kickin' it Old School

Let me explain.  

I heard Gabriel in his crib at 6 am this morning.  He went to bed at 7 last night so I knew he was ready to get up.  I reluctantly headed for the nursery as we are in a full-on blizzard here (10 inches already) and this morning, of all mornings, would be the perfect day to sleep in.

As I am headed back out of the nursery, Gabe in tow, Madeline (also known as my angel and you'll see why in a second) appears out of nowhere and says, "Mom, I can take him so you can go and sleep some more."

Could it be true?  Am I still dreaming?  Do I really have a child that is old enough for this?  

(This inner dialogue came later in the morning.... much later....and after I handed Gabbers off like the Olympic torch and dove back under the covers).

Ahhhhhh, Ron and I got to sleep in for a bit.....reminding us of BK  (before kids).