Huh?! What?!

A few days ago we were in Walmart and they started calling for someone over the loud speaker. The announcement was rather long and Moriah started yelling (at the top of her lungs), "Huh? What? Yeah? Okay, bye!" I think she thought someone was on my cellphone on speakerphone. She often talks to Nana, Daddy and Grandma that way. It was hilarious! I heard quite a few shoppers around us snicker at her too.

Ending the Summer @ Sesame Place

We decided to end the summer with a fun trip to Sesame Place in PA. Anheuser Busch does a Hero Salute where military members can get in free to one of their parks. If you remember this post last year, we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Since Moriah loves Sesame Street, we decided to take her to Sesame Place where she can see all her pals. Part of the park is water play and part is the typical theme park rides, only geared to little ones. The only rides she couldn't do in the whole park were the roller coaster and big water slides. We loaded the kiddos in the car at 7:30 and headed out for the 2 1/2 hour car ride. They did great! Levi slept most of the way and Moriah watched Elmo on her DVD player (thanks Mom and Dad!).

She loved the rides at Disney in June so we thought she would be thrilled to ride on Elmo and Big Bird theme ones. Boy were we wrong. She was terrified of most of them. She wanted to go but once it got started she would freak out and cry. As soon as it was over she would scream, "Yay, I did it!" It was sweet to see her conquer her fears. We also thought she would enjoy seeing "real" ELmo and friends. Once again, we were wrong. She really liked seeing them on stage, in the parade and from afar, but if we got close to them the freak out began. Then we would walk away or the show or parade would end and she would be asking where they went. She wanted them to be around and she wanted to talk to them just not up close. She liked running around a five and under play area. It was cute watching her do laps and say, "I'm coming!" The sky threatened to rain on us all day but it never did. I was glad that it was overcast because it saved us from the glare of the sun all day. The weather was perfect!

Over all it was a very fun and well worth it. Just seeing Moriah have a blast at the shows and playing in the play areas was well worth the trip. We finished out the day at Cheeburger Cheeburger and then had a pit stop at Sonic to get shakes for dessert. We just couldn't pass one and not stop (we don't have a Sonic near us). It was an exhausting but fun day!

Levi is teething, can you tell?

So proud after the ride.

She was SO scared! But she LOVED Dumbo at Disney not two months ago and this was the same ride just Elmo. We didn't get it.

Being chased by a boy in the "Big Bird Nest." It was cute. He would chase her and then copy what she was doing. She seemed oblivious to his pursuit.

We went to Elmo's World Live show and you would have thought Moriah was in heaven. She adored seeing him and Mr. Noodle.

Watching the Parade from Zack's shoulders, Moriah didn't miss a thing.

Being Lazy in Big Bird's Rambling River.

I think her favorite ride. It's the only one she asked to do again.

"I love you Cookie Monster." Were her words but her actions said, "STAY BACK!"

I Took Their Hands and Followed

So, this fall I am starting home schooling Moriah. I have to admit I am REALLY excited about this and the precious time we get to spend together on this learning adventure. I know, she is only two and no I am NOT going to be drilling her or trying to make her this toddler genius (besides why work so hard when she already is a genius to me, right?). I started out this home schooling adventure with one goal in mind. To make my time with her meaningful and purposeful. I want to parent on purpose. I don't want to be so busy with life and all the things we do (housework, bible studies, playdates, etc.) that I miss out on my time with Moriah. I don't want her memories of growing up be of watcing Elmo and Mickey Mouse (and believe me she sure does watch them!). Don't get me wrong I think these things are fine in and of themselves but I just want some quality time with her too. So, having a curriculum for her sounded great. The teacher background took over and I began to formulate all these great ideas and plans. Soon I realized she is only two and I needed to scale down my ambitions. There will be other years for true "schooling." I am not sure how long I will home school. My hearts dream is to teach at a private Christian School where our kids can attend, we shall see. This year I want to watch her have fun while learning. Needless to say, I will be sure and update with all our school happenings. Here is a poem by Mrs. Roy L. Peifer I came across recently while researching some home schooling ideas. It really spoke to my heart and embodies what I want to have with my children. I modified it a little so it fits with me (it was just about a son but I have both!).

I Took Their Hands and Followed
My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took their hands and followed,
Where their eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little ones and I...
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky.

We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood...
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life sure was good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small ones know
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill...
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little ones
To noble adulthood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

Okay, back to planning for me. This poem and my thoughts were just too much to keep to myself. I hope each of you with children are enjoying them today.

Caring for the Crying

Something I have been thinking about the last few weeks is how to really care for those who are hurting or in need. I loved how community oriented camp is and how through working at camp I was able to be a part of something that was really reaching out to others. I don't even think that it matters if those being helped are christians or not, we are called to take care of them. There is totally a balance (I need to take care of my family too, or we would fall into the needy category a ton more often than we already do!). Anyway, we are so blessed to have friends who always seem available to help us out with anything and everything. I want to be that to them too, as well as reach out to those I may not even know. I am still looking for ways to do that and praying about how I can be used in that way.

Needless to say Moriah is catching the vision too! She loves taking care of her crying brother. What I mean by this is Levi will be playing nicely (on his bouncie, in the jumpie, or on the floor) and Moriah comes along and makes him cry. I'm talking she takes his toy, pulls out his pacie and just does things (not in a hateful manner) that will make him upset. She layed on him (trying to give him love ) this afternoon. As soon as he starts crying the mothering and caring kicks in. She begins to bring him toys, his lovie, try giving him his pacie and says soothing words ("It's ok baby Levi. I know baby. I love you baby Levi..."). She even sings to him. He was crying tonight and she began mixing songs together and this is what she came up with "Patty cake, patty cake a best friend, roll it roll it and give to him. Yay best friend!!" It was so adorable! Zack and I just cracked up and told her what a great big sister she is. Levi thinks so too, even though he puts up with a lot from her. He smiles and laughs so easily for her. She loves him with a genuine love that is so pure and full. I think he can tell she just wants him to cry so she can have the opportunity to love on him.

I was reflecting on it and I think I am like her. I don't purposefully upset others but I know I do it. I want to look for ways to care for the crying out there. Whether it was me who made them cry or not because that is what I am called to do.

It's Been A LONG While

I know I have been MIA from the blogging world for quite a while. It has been a crazy busy time in our lives right now. I guess blogging was the last thing on my never ending to do list and I just never got to it. I think for a few reasons.

First, I just haven't processed through all that has gone on and so I haven't been able to blog about it because I haven't stopped long enough to think it through and put it in words. Second, I blog for me and so I thought that by not blogging I was not really missed by anyone else. That came across sounding sad and pathetic-let me explain. What I mean, is that I blog to have a record of our life. I feel like our kids just change so much daily that I might forget what this time in our life was like. What little antics they did. Needless to say, I was surprised when one of my friends encouraged me to start blogging again. She said she missed keeping up with my little family that way. I think that was just the nudge I needed to just set some time for blogging. Thanks Jen! I was touched that she missed my not so great writing about my crazy life. I am still just blogging for me and my record but now also for the fans (all 5 of you!). So I am back and I promise to catch you up soon. I still have some processing to do but I feel the blogger in me coming back to life.