Your First Offering

DADDY:

Quite a few months ago, we bought you a little bank to earn and save money in. You earn a nickle every time you pick up your toys, make your bed, or use the toilet (you earn double if you go poopoo).

A few days ago, we gave you another bank for God, along with a raise from $.05 to $.06, and you've been giving a nickle to your bank and a penny to God's.

Today, you took your bank into Studio K at RockHarbor and gave your first offering to Jesus---$.17---Before you walked away, I asked if you wanted to pray to God. Other than that, I didn't prompt you. You said, "Dear God, thank you for the money...and for the everything."

Amen, I say.

Toy Story

DADDY:

You are in love with the TOY STORY trilogy. You started off liking Woody and wearing you Woody cowboy hat and pink cowgirl boots wherever you went. Then after watching TOY STORY 2, you were Jessie, every time.

My favorite part of your new fangirling is, now that you've seen Part 3, you are Jessie and I am Buzz Lightyear. I'm a fan of dancing with you, Latin Buzz style, and I'm more than happy being your hero, your prince, your daddy.

Shoes & Pajamas

GUFFAW:

You were driving home from Gmomo's wearing pajamas, but you had shoes on for the walk home.

You said, "I have a problem. I have shoes on with my pajamas."

Passing Gas & Ducks

Daddy:

You learned this from your Mommy--when you toot, you say, "Who brought the duck?" and giggle. Hilarious!

Darkness, or Abstract Thinking in the Minivan

Daddy:

You, Jenna, and I were driving in the van. We were thinking of things, anything, to say outloud. You were coming up with things that weren't inside the van that you knew about. Jenna was saying things she could see in the van or copying your other ideas.

I suggested we change things up a bit and told you to think of things that you couldn't see. I wasn't really sure what you'd come up with.

Your first idea was "darkness."

"Yes, Sarah, you're right. I mean, you can kind of see darkness, but not really."

I love the way you think.

Make You Feel Better

Mommy:

So I'm pregnant and feeling really sick during the first trimester. I feel sad that lately I'm not as energetic or playful. You have said and done some cute things during this time though.

- You were taking a shower and I was supervising. I had to throw-up about half way through and you started singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." This made me feel better because it seemed like it would block out some of what was happening for you. I told you that I liked it when you sang the song because it made me feel better that it covered some of the noise. Fast forward a few weeks later and I went into the bathroom to throw-up and you followed me in. I tried to direct you away and you stood there and started singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

- You come up to my tummy and say, "I love you baby," and kiss my tummy.

- We have taught you that the baby is in my uterus which is in my tummy. When people say that I have a baby in my tummy, you correct them and say it's in my uterus.

God Will Fix It

Daddy:

You, me, and Mommy were sitting on the grass outside Taco Bell under the shade of a flagpole while we waited to go pick JJ up from respite care. You were loving your burrito, sometimes taking bites out of the fat tortilla middle where the beans start to leak out.

You found a sticker on your clothes and took it off to show me. Then you folded it up and threw it into the grass.

Mommy said, "Sarah, even though some things on Earth are pretty broken, God wants us to take care of the Earth until he comes back."

You replied, "God will fix it."

Mommy and I looked at each other. Tears began to form in my eyes. After everything going on with JJ and our family and all that we've been learning, your words were so exactly true.

"You're right," Mommy said, "God will come back and fix everything. That's why Jesus died on the cross . . . so he could come back and fix all the broken things."

Darling, please keep teaching us. We love learning from you.