Running

I want to run a 5K on Memorial Day and I just finished my very first "Couch to 5K" workout. I'm not telling you this because I think that's special but because I need your help. I'm very good about getting excited about something like this and starting it and then not seeing it through. When it comes to exercising I'm even worse. So, please ask me how I'm doing. I've been thinking about running for about a year now but was pregnant and then it was stone cold winter up here...I could give you many more lame excuses. There's really probably only one valid one. Anyhow, I started today and it was pretty tough but it felt good. Please be praying for me as I work toward a personal goal of running in the Ridge Run on Memorial Day. And while you're praying please pray we find an inexpensive double jogging stroller so childcare will not become one of my lame excuses for not running.

Christianna's Soccer Game

A few weeks ago we went to see Sylvie's cousin Christianna. It was her last soccer game of the indoor season. Sylvie absolutely loves to go see "Nana".

The league had a food drive and Christianna's team won a pizza party for bringing in the most food. It was a very fun time.

First Sentence

Sylvie said her first sentence today...on her own! She was telling me she wanted juice. She thinks the cuter she says "Juice!" the more likely we are to say yes. (I wonder where she got that idea.) So she was saying "Juice. Juuuuiiiice." Giving a one syllable word two extra syllables. I responded smilingly saying "Milk. Miiiiilllk." We went back and forth like this a few times then she got kind of serious and said "I want juice." She got her juice.

To be Two

As I was watching Sylvie play the other day I thought to myself how fun it must be to be two. I don't think I remember anything from that age but it sure looks like an amazing age to be. There are so many things Sylvie learns in one day. And the joy she finds in such little things is amazing. She can stand at the kitchen sink playing in the water for hours, play endless rounds of peek-a-boo, and give kiss after kiss to Jeremy, Grace, and me. Sometimes I can't even figure out what she's smiling or laughing at. There are times when she will just burst out laughing and run down the hall. What prompted that? Other times she'll look at me and say whatever word is on her mind with excitement she can't contain. Sometimes that word is something as simple as the bow in her hair. When was the last time I took that much joy in just being? And the fun of being the size of a two year old! Yes, it would be scary to be so small. But it would also mean Daddy can swoop you up with one arm and in an instant you're in flight. It's amazing how easily Sylvie is comforted simply by our presence, a smile, or a hug. This must be the faith Jesus was referring to in Mark 10:15. I'm just reminded now I need to be comforted that easily by God's presence. I need to continue to trust Jesus with the faith and trust of a child, for I am a child of God.

I love...

This morning we were all hanging out playing and talking. We've been trying to teach Sylvie about using more than one word to convey her message. "I want juice please" vs. "juice" is the most common 'repeat after me' exercise. But this morning it went like this...

Jeremy: I
Sylvie: I
J: love
S: love
J: you
S: mommy!!

What a fun surprise!!

Speed Racer

When you live in Chicago and have a toddler you have to get pretty creative during the winter months. We've gone from playing in the water at the sink to pushing our little sister around in a basket.

Gracie hates the pacifier today.