The Things Kids Say

The girls' vocabulary seems to be growing by leaps and bounds these days. I get so tickled sometimes listening to them in their bedroom through the monitor. Yes, we are still using those. I was thinking the other day that I don't know if I will ever be able to do away with them. It is so nice to be able to ease drop on them. Anyway, back to the girls, I went today and got my haircut--trying to get rid of the HORRIBLE perm. I will try to post some new pics in the next couple of days. When I got home Abigial said "Oh, wow Mom! You got your hair cut. It is short. I like it. It is very pretty." When I asked Emma what she thought she said, "I don't like it. I don't think it looks nice."
Emma's new words are disappointed and frustrated. She told Donna the other day that Abigail was crying because she was so frustrated. Then she told her that she was acting ugly because she was so frustrated, but now she wasn't frustrated anymore. Then tonight when Ran was talking loud Emma said, "Daddy, just calm down. You just need to calm down now" Lately, when I tell her to do something that she really doesn't want to do, she will say, "Whatever you say momma, I do whatever you say." I just say, yes, that is what you are suppose to do, thank you!
Abigail's new thing is telling me how sad she is. Every time I get on to her or discipline her, she will look at me and say, "Mommy, I am sad. I am lying down b/c I am so sad" She exchanges that phrase with this one too, "Mommy, I am tired. I am so sleepy. Rock me momma." But magically after the discipline is over she isn't tired anymore, nor does she want to be rocked.
Most of the time it is easy for us to figure out where they get their new words and phrases, Dora, Diego, VeggieTales or MickeyMouse, MOMMA, DADDY, etc. They are such a reflection of their surroundings. It really makes me aware of how influential our environment is. TV, friends at work, INTERNET, books we read...like they say garbage in garbage out! We should be protecting our mind and spirit from negative influences. If you are watching dramas all the time--YOU WILL CREATE DRAMA IN YOUR OWN LIFE. I am definitely not against television or cartoons, but I think we must really censor it or we will find ourselves watchng one of those shows--which shall remain nameless--that promotes pre-martial sex and homosexuality. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word(Psalms 119:37).

Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday was my 31st birthday and boy did we celebrate. Ran surprised me with a birthday party at 8:30 in the morning. He and the girls were sitting at the dining room table when I got up. All dressed up in their party hats. It was so cute. They sang and blew their noise makers. Then at 8:35 a.m. we ate cake and opened presents. The girls thought that was the absolute best thing in the world. The girls and Ran got me a new pair of-much needed- tennis shoes. I have been wearing the same pair for 3 years and they make my feet hurt so bad. My mom came by for a quick visit and so did my friend Robin and her daughter Lauren, aka Lara Carrot. A few people called with happy birthday wishes. One of those being my dad. He is so sweet. It has always tickled me when he calls like that. Ever since I got married, he has called me on my birthday to sing to me. Now you must know that my dad is NOT a singer and he is also NOT one to talk about his feelings, but he IS VERY tenderhearted. SO when he called, I said, "Hello" and he began singing, but he couldn't finish because he was trying not to cry. And he does this every single year. God bless that man. He has such a love for his family and his children and grandchildren. We give him a hard time sometimes because he is such a crier. I love that about him. And I am just like him in that respect. I too can cry at the drop of hat. Last night, Ran, the girls and I went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse, no they didn't do the YeeeHaw thing. It was a really great day.
It seems like every year when birthday time comes around you begin thinking back over the years and your life. This year is no different. Over the past few days I have thought about where I have been and what I want to be. I know that there is much work to be done, but I am definitely becoming more secure in myself, my beliefs and my decisions, and realizing the importance of family. I can tell that in the last few years I have stopped looking so much to others to validate what I feel. I can also tell that I am entering into the period of my life that I am feeling accompished and as though I am actually making a positive contribution to the world. I guess part of that comes from being a mommy of 2 year olds. They are getting to the age that I can see some of the fruits of my labor--notice I only said some. My mom has often told me that she didn't feel her age. I now know what she means. Age isn't a number it is a state of mind, and there are moments that mind is 16 again--ha,ha. Wouldn't we all love to go back to that time when we are still under our parents wings of protection? If only we could have truly understood how good we really had it back then--no bills, no responsibilities, no worries.
Someday, the girls will be 31 and reading this. I pray that their lives will be as full and joyous as mine. Like those trendy t-shirts say "Life is Good"