Growing So Quickly...

My little Maevey Gravy just looked so big today so I snapped a few pictures. She's 21 months now... almost 2.

Witch of the East or the West?

Prayers

Noah and I practice "talking to God" for our prayers. He sometimes just doesn't know what to say and I tell him that is totally okay.

Last night he asked God to send Jesus back because we need him. And to send angels to get all of the sick people.

Tonight he asked for God to let the flowers grow back so that he can pick them for his mommy.

Sometimes I am certain that life doesn't get any better than the half hour we spend together before bedtime....such a sweet boy he is.

Cowor

That title is Maeve's pronunciation of color. Every time she sees ANY writing utensil she starts shrieking cowor, cowor.... At church the amazing secretary lets her push her out of her sweat and lets her cowor all over the stuff on her desk. Here she is practicing her masterpieces...

Caught off Guard, completely.

This morning I got up and went to church like any other morning.  Up and out the door before the kids are barely awake.  Usually Sunday and Wednesday are 10-12 hour days.  I did my usual work and prepped, sang Sunday School songs, taught confirmation class, and then headed into worship.  I did a fun announcement about grocery cards and our mission trip to Jamaica.  I did a children's sermon on the different gifts that God gave us and because it was Gifts of Women Sunday I asked the children to tell me about special women in their lives. 

I had agreed to fill in for a friend for children's church so I took the PreK kids back and taught them about Psalm 139 and how God made them very special.  In the middle of my lesson, someone came into the room and said they needed me in worship.  Pastor Kerry was away for his father's funeral so I thought something might have happened.  But, when I walked in the sanctuary, I heard a dear friend of mine describing my life and how I was a woman of God.  I was stunned.  I was selected as one of the Presbyterian Women of the Year, pinned with the PW pin and made a lifetime honorary member of Presbyterian Women. 

Needless to say I was speechless.  I am a staff person... this is my JOB!  I totally didn't think I deserved this kind of affirmation when so many people in the church give of their free time, not as their job. 

However I was honored.  I felt very grateful and surprised that others felt this way.  I am still a little stunned...

Here is a description of the award.

Honorary Life Memberships

 An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is conferred upon an individual in recognition of faithful service in some area of church work. Moderators, leaders, teachers, officers, pastors, and missionaries have been among the recipients of this honor. 

The symbol of the Life Membership pin represents and portrays the qualities of persons deserving the honor and recognition of an Honorary Life Membership. The following are some meanings found in the symbol:

• The caring, supportive hands represent women who seek to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women.
• The leaf represents growth of our personal and corporate response to Jesus Christ as we nurture our faith.
• The dove indicates our work for peace in our own lives and throughout the world, shown in the globe.
• At the center of the design is the cross, by which our sins are forgiven and we are freed to live in Christ who is at the center of our lives.
• The overall design is of a butterfly, a symbol of newness in Christ and the emergence of a new creation — Presbyterian Women.

Valentine's Day '11

Happy Valentine's Day!  We had a great holiday this year.  Noah and I had a blast making a robot valentine box for his class. 

On Valentine's morning I had special breakfasts for all of my loves.

Noah's school had an awesome Valentine's experience.  I was so happy with what they did!  The kids had yogurt parfaits with blueberries, granola and strawberries.  They had all healthy snacks.  Then they gathered in the fellowship hall for some very fun games!  The kids had obstacle courses to go through and some balloon tennis games. 

They also planned to coordinate the party with a fundraiser.  Our church hosts a group of people who sew pillowcases for children in hospitals.  In conjunction with them, the kids did a jump a thon to raise money for them and show our love on Valentine's Day.  The preschool kids lined up in a heart shape and jumped for three minutes to bring "smiles" to kids who were sick.  It was really wonderful.

Noah was so excited to go through his valentine's cards after the party.  He loved looking at the different cards.  He is also able to read all of the names of his friends in his class.  It was a really fun day!!!

Afternoon Naps

Noah stopped taking an afternoon nap sometime during his 3rd year.  He would easily nap for hours but then he couldn't fall asleep at night.  After many long struggles we decided to take away the nap.  This turned bedtime into a much easier and earlier venture for us.  However, still at almost 5, Noah falls asleep immediately if he is in the car anytime between 3 and 5pm.  No matter how short the ride, he is out like a light.  Maeve gets very mad at him if he is awake and tries to scream WOWAH at him as loud as she can but he does not wake up.  When he lapses into this coma I can carry him in the house and he will sleep for hours.  Recently, I needed to head to the store after Maeve's nap.  Noah fell asleep and proceeded to sleep after I put him in the cart.  Amazing.