My Flower

As we were riding in the van today, Sophia started talking about flowers for some reason. She said, "Flowers are special because they make our galaxy beautiful." I guess I gave her a glance in the mirror that said I thought she was cute because she said, "I know what that look means. You think I'm a flower."

Sigh. Exactly right, Sophia. My flower.

Back at City Diner

 

So far this year, we've been eating healthier and overall trying to have better habits. However, when the neighbors cooked bacon and the smell wafted into our apartment, what choice did we have but to head to City Diner and have some of our own? No choice. That's what. Having a guest is always a good excuse, too. Thanks, Grandmary!

Back to being good for now.

Dyspepsia

Occasionally, I have been known to write a few words about grief. Here is a LINK to some of those posts.

I was reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, about which I'm undecided as to how much I loved it, and came across this gem. The Major reflects, "This was the dull ache of grief in the real world; more dyspepsia than passion."

Sometimes true, I think, but regardless, I just loved this sentence. Thought I'd share it with you.

Also, just for kicks, my second favorite quote of the book. A young friend of the Major's asks, "But I must ask you, do you really understand what it means to be in love with an unsuitable woman?" To which the Major responds, "My dear boy, is there really any other kind?"

Gotta love the British.

A Day for Love

I feel about Valentine's Day the way people say we should feel about Christmas, but that one feels a little more vague to me.

Anyway, what I mean is that I try to not save up my love for this special day. Don't get me wrong. I love to go out to dinner with my special someone. This is our 15th Valentine's Day together, by the way. I'm quite sure I gave it a whole lot more thought when there might be a little romantic surprise in my locker or something.

But, as a grownup, I don't think I'm better at expressing my love for him or anyone else that I care about today than any other day. Probably worse actually because it's easy to get caught up in the "should"s of Valentine's Day. And I'm never great at doing what I should do. Rebellion and a bad memory combine for some serious deficiencies.

Most days that I stop to think about it, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all the love I have in my life. My heart definitely has no trouble overflowing to those around me. I am filled up. Every day.

Now making every day like Christmas feels like a bigger challenge. I just don't know what that means. I get that we should celebrate Jesus every day, but it's a little harder to recreate that type of halted and still adoration every day. I'm just saying.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my people. Love ya today and every other day, too.

To Sophia's Teachers

I registered Sophia for Kindergarten this week. Then I wrote this letter to Sophia's future teachers. 

To the Teachers of Sophia Creach: First of all, thank you. For everything you're about to do for Sophia. For everything you've already done to prepare for her. You and I can only imagine the impact you will have on her spirit, not to mention her mind. Thanks for caring enough to be here with her, helping to prepare her for life. It can't hurt for you to have a little extra preparation, so I thought I'd let you know a few things. I know you've taught lots of amazing kids. Many of them have been remarkable. Once you have become part of Sophia's world, I think you'll agree that a child as memorable as Sophia is a treasure. 

You'll be happy to know that she won't sneak around on you. As a matter of fact, when Sophia does anything that is opposed to the rules you've established (or even one she thinks should be established), she will come right to you and confess it. In preschool, she tells her teachers when she forgets to listen to their instructions, especially when they don't notice. I think it's only fair that you know about Sophia's supersonic hearing. I kind of wish I had a warning about that one. She may look like she's not paying attention, but she is absorbing every word and every unspoken message you're sending. I know this because occasionally she gives herself away by entering a conversation she wasn't near. The softer you speak, the more attentive she'll be. Like I said, she picks up on signals you're not giving out loud too. She is sensitive. The essence of Sophia is absolute tenderness. I don't mean that she'll run away crying. That only happens when you least expect it. I do mean that she can gauge the temperature of any given room surprisingly fast. Often she'll adjust her own demeanor to match it or to smooth it. Regardless, she is picking it up, and she'll happily tell you about it if you ask. She watches out for her friends and for the people that she says just aren't her friends yet. She uses her words carefully to protect the hearts of others. But sometimes she forgets to protect her own heart in the process. 

Sophia likes to talk. I've done my best to help with this last one, but I can't make any guarantees. I like to talk, too. It's all I ever got in trouble for in school, and that happened often. Sophia's daddy and I have been talking with her a lot about respect. How important it is to show respect to others that we come in contact with every day. How our teachers deserve an extra dose of respect since they're spending time with kids to help them grow and learn. All I ask of you is that you show some respect to Sophia, too. Just give her the benefit of the doubt when she forgets to wait her turn to speak. I promise that she's trying. And when you show respect to Sophia and her classmates, it will make my job so much easier to remind Sophia what respect looks and feels like. As you are working tirelessly to help these kids to develop their minds, please protect their hearts. Please protect Sophia's heart. I promise not to blame you when her heart inevitably gets broken. I'll help her get it back together and be glad that it's a Kindergarten heartbreak and not the high school kind. I promise to support you in whatever way I can. I promise to give you the benefit of the doubt, too. Sophia will most likely never say an unkind thing about you, although she does have a judgmental eye for fashion. I'll be generous in my response. 

 Thanks again for everything. I'll never be able to repay you. 

 Respectfully yours, Sophia's mom

Snapshot

Sophia had the camera for a while the other day and snapped this picture of us. Yes, we had been posing, of course. We can't help it. Once I saw this picture, though, I just thought to myself that I really hope this is what Sophia thinks of when she thinks of her mommy and daddy.

It's certainly what I like to think of.

Also this.

A Weekend of Family Fun

Saturday, we were so excited that David and Casey and the boys came to visit us. Four kids in one apartment can be a bit much, so the zoo is always a good place to spend energy. But, rainy as it was, we were inside. And it was so much fun. I'm glad that we didn't have to go out and wander around the zoo. We just got to stay inside and hang out. With a quick walk to the candy store, of course. All three of us were sad to see them go, but only one of us was reduced to fits of weeping. The one who likes to stand at the mirror and watch herself cry. Not me.

Yesterday, the sun came out. Still windy, but we had a great time wandering around Forest Park. This spring is going to be a good one with Sophia's bike. She's finally realized how much fun it can be!



The Super Bowl was a bit anticlimactic, to be honest. I was drowsy, and Sophia was cleaning (yes). But the weekend over all gets an A+.