Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Happy Birthday Arthur, Meagan and Dacia Grace

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Arthur, Meagan and Dacia Grace!
Happy Birthday to you!

Today marks the birthday of three people in our family!

Arthur turns 40 today!
















Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom November 2007


Cousin Meagan turns 13 today!
















Beautiful Cousins
Simi Valley California December 2005
Dacia Grace is one and Meagan is 11!
Sorry Meagan, I don't have any current pictures of you!

Here are a couple of pictures of Dacia Grace celebrating at the library with her best friend Sammie! Her favorite place is the library so what a great place to celebrate with a friend! Special thanks to Tita Elaine for remembering her camera!

















We will be celebrating her birthday on January 5th with a Princess Party! More pics to follow!

Monday, December 17, 2007

An Inquiring Mom Wants to Know

Today as I was driving down the road I heard Dacia Grace say, "I think that says Bank of the West." Odd.....we don't bank at the Bank of the West so how does she know that is what it says!?!

This afternoon I hear her singing.....I want a hippopatamus for lunch.......wait the song is I want a hippopatamus for Christmas not for lunch......what is she hearing!?

Makes a Mom wonder about the working of an almost three year old brain.......

Friday, December 14, 2007

Bear With Sesames

"Why does the bear like sesames, Mommy? What are they?"

That question gave me a good laugh and sent me to the blog to share with you!

I was singing the song Simple Bear Neccessities, Simple Bear Neccessities to Dacia Grace because I thought she would recognize the song.......she and Daddy watched the Jungle Book DVD last night. She did not recognize the song. Oh well!

Monday, December 10, 2007

We Love MOLES!


One of my favorite series of books to read to Dacia Grace is written and illustrated by Rosyln Schwartz. They are about two mole sisters and their many adventures. The illustrations are simple colored pencil sketches complete with simple "dialogue". The giggles that ensue from Dacia Grace are WONDERFUL!


This morning I heard Dacia Grace on the monitor....I knew she had gone to her room. I went to investigate. Oh how I wish that I had my camera! There she was kneeling by her bed looking at the book that we had read last night before bed. She was actually "reading" it to herself ... complete with the giggling! So precious!


We were looking on Google today to see what we could find out about The Mole Sister Series.....They are on TV! I was not able to find any of the clips on the internet but we sure would love to see them.....so if any of you out there who own a TV ever see The Mole Sisters, would you please record it and mail it our way. Dacia Grace would be ever so grateful to you!


Maybe one of these days I will borrow a video to record us reading one so that you can hear the precious giggles!


Sunday, December 9, 2007

Let the Games Begin!

Games have been introduced to the Hom Family.....now mind you, games have always been a part of Mommy and Daddy's life.....but now they are a part of the ENTIRE Hom family......That's right folks! Dacia Grace played her very first UNO game last night. She came very, very close to beating Mommy and Daddy but then Daddy came from behind and WON! She took the loss very well for an almost three year old. She thought it was great fun!

Added on Monday morning: Her first words this morning were, "Mommy, I want to play with your cards!" (Uno cards that is).

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Random Thoughts of a Caffeine Buzzed Insomniac


Okay.....had insomnia last night.......something good actually came from it......My desk is cleared off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I have no excuse for not scrapbooking or making cards....or whatever else needs to be done.....My desk is actually a drafting table bought for $10 at the local Goodwill outlet by my dear, dear hubby so that I would have somewhere to do my art projects....so that he could actually see me do them...... and be able to hang them up in our home......I have yet to produce anything. Hmmmmmm...that was about two years ago now....guess I need to remedy that.

All the Christmas decorations are still in boxes and still stacked in the front room but the tree, a Grand Fir this year, is still standing.........Joseph is decapitated! Sad but true.....I talked too long to a friend on the phone today...Dacia Grace decided that was a perfect time to play "I can fly" with my porcelain nativity set! She learned a valuable physics lesson today......one of Newton's laws of gravity was proved once again in our home.....what goes up must come down.....with a LOUD thud! Joseph's head went flying off to hinterland! Phone conversation done! Time for some one on one Mommy time!

Off to do scale Mt Washmore! One day soon the movie will be coming to a theater near you....The Many Adventures of Mt. Washmore rated R for rarely accomplished!

Regarding The Golden Compass Movie

I do NOT in anyway support the viewing of The Golden Compass slated for theaters near you this month. I do think, however, that the following editorial posted on BreakPoint brings up some very valid points that need to be considered. I know that as Dacia Grace grows older I will be taking a very active role in reviewing her movie and book choices.

Should Parents be Concerned About The Golden Compass?
by Mark Earley


All of you have probably received the e-mail by now. A lot of Christians have, including many of us here at BreakPoint. One of my colleagues received it from five different people no less!
I am referring to the e-mail that is circulating about the upcoming fantasy film The Golden Compass, based on the book by Philip Pullman. It says that Pullman's fantasy trilogy is openly anti-Christian.

Unlike many other e-mails that get circulated, The Golden Compass e-mail is not a hoax, though, in fairness, there are some incorrect details. (For example, contrary to what the e-mail cites, Jesus is mentioned in the books, and the girl and the boy at the center of the story do not kill God, though they are present when a being calling himself God is killed. God is actually presented as completely unreal in The Golden Compass; there are only angelic beings who try to set themselves up as God and are defeated.)

But the part about Pullman hating the idea of God is completely accurate. He uses his stories to twist and distort familiar biblical accounts of creation, fall, and redemption, making heroes of those who rebel against religion, and having one of his "good" characters even say, "The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake." It's sort of a Da Vinci Code theme for kids.

But I suggest that we should do more than just read the e-mail and press "Forward." If we really want to be able to speak out against Pullman's ideas, we must know what we are talking about. That's why I mentioned the story details that might seem a bit trifling. Because when Christians start warning the culture about something dangerous, we often get a backlash. And it is worse if we are not prepared. If we just go out there and tell people, "This movie is about kids who kill God!" we just get a reputation as ill-informed scolds. Already that is starting to happen.

There are several ways you can prepare yourself to talk about Pullman's books and upcoming movies. You can pick the books up at the library and skim them. You can read a book called Dark Matter by Tony Watkins; although Watkins finds more to like in Pullman's books than we do at BreakPoint, he still does a good job of explaining the problems. You can visit our website--BreakPoint.org--where we have a number of articles, blog posts, and commentaries pointing out Pullman's spiritual and literary flaws.

I know of one school in Virginia, Immanuel Christian, that is considering having the older students discuss and evaluate the worldview of the books in their weekly book discussion group. This is a terrific idea. When the movie comes out and their friends head off to the theater with no clue about what kind of indoctrination they are going to undergo, kids who have discussed Pullman's worldview with Christian parents and educators will know what's going on. Then they can choose the good and reject the bad.

Of course, all of this takes time for parents and teachers who already have enough to do. There is no easy way around that. But it is worth the investment in the lives of our children. As parents, teachers, and leaders, we can and should do no less.

Copyright © 2007 Prison Fellowship

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It's a surprise! And what a surprise it will be! We were given three FREE tickets to Disney on Ice for tomorrow evening! Dacia Grace is going to be so excited! She really likes all things Disney Princess as well a figure skating. It is going to be so much fun seeing this through her eyes! What a blessing! Thank you God (and Tina) for this blessing!


On another note, please feel free to check out our picture album link on the right. I have a new account and have current pictures added to our album. If you want to comment on a particular photo, you will need a Yahoo account.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Cold Kiss

Today is a beautiful fall day! The blue skies are SO blue! The wind is blowing and is quite chilly. We have our windows open to air the house out a little.

I gave Dacia Grace a kiss on the cheek and her response was so cute.

"That's cold!"

"What is cold?"

"Right here," pointing to her cheek bwhere I had kissed her. "I need a cold kiss!"

Now what mommy would deny her sweet princess that request!

Monday, October 22, 2007

It's My Bumm!

What term for the part of the body that sits on the car seat has been an ongoing question in my mind.

"Butt" - Too yucky and not very feminine or ladylike.

"Booty" - Too worldly.

"Derriere" - Maybe but just not me. I did not do so well in college French! Why would I want to be reminded of that fact daily. Hmmmm. No!

"Bumm" - It works.

So that is term we have been using until lately......

Wanting to teach Dacia Grace a little of the Chinese language that Arthur grew up speaking at home, we have introduced words as appropriate.

"Uu-Uu" - Chinese for bumm.

Yesterday I told Dacia Grace to place her Uu-Uu in the car seat so that we could go home.

"It's no Uu-Uu! It's my bumm!!!!!!!!!!!!" was the loud protest that I received. Daddy and I chuckled pretty hard in response to her comment.

Will we continue to use this new terminology? You betch your pretty little Uu-Uu that we will!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Mommy, I Need A Wooden Spoon!

This afternoon Dacia Grace came to me in the kitchen with her Snow White doll in her arms.

"Mommy, I need a wooden spoon for my Snow White. She is disobeying me." Dacia Grace told me with a very serious look on her face.

"What honey?" I asked her trying very desparately to keep a straight face.

"I need the wooden spoon."

"Honey, you will need to look for a wooden spoon in your kitchen." I told her as we went out on the screen porch to look at her kitchen utensils.

Dacia Grace found a plastic "wooden spoon". Back inside, she and Snow White sat down in her Elmo chair "to talk" at which time Snow White was given a spanking.

A few minutes later, I noticed her playing with Snow White. Daddy asked her, "Is Snow White obeying now? Did she ask you for forgiveness and pray with her?"

"Oh yes!"

We had the hardest time keeping a straight face during this conversation and play time. We know that Dacia Grace's understanding of obeying Mommy and Daddy is growing as well as her love for Jesus and desire to please Him above all! We are grateful for our loving Father who corrects us when we need it and extends grace and mercy as well. I pray that we model that same love, grace and mercy to Dacia Grace. I know that we do not and this brings me back to His grace and love!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

P-A-R-K!

Today at lunch Arthur and I were talking about what we were going to do after Dacia Grace's nap time. I decided to finger spell the words instead of spelling the words out loud. Arthur responded by finger spelling an answer to me.

"I want to go...." Dacia Grace cried out as she used her right hand to "finger spell".

Arthur and I cracked up as we realized once again just how smart our little girl is. She realized that the finger spelling represented words and letters just like our spelling out loud does. WOW!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Daddy Makes Rain

Earlier this week, Dacia Grace and I were upstairs in the master suite which is above the garage. Arthur went downstairs to do a few things. The next thing I heard was the garage door going up and Arthur going outside to the garbage can.

"Mommy, Daddy makes it rain!" Dacia Grace said to me in amazement.

I smiled and laughed realizing that she had never her the garage door go up underneath the master bedroom before then. I explained to her the noise. Her response was....."No, it was rain!"

It certainly did sound like a hard rain storm here in the Northwest!

Incidentally as I am typing this post, she is sitting on my lap and dictating the letters for me to type!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Dacia Grace Trivia Winner Is.....

Aunt Betty.

Dacia Grace really enjoys her books and spends countless hours a day "reading" her books and acting the stories out with her many friends. Her reasoning when shopping the other day was from the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. She definitely does not need TV or movies to help make Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the other friends come alive to her.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

The Only Reason for Shopping

Dacia Grace greatly enjoys books and shopping. No huge surprise for those of you who know me. But this last weekend while traveling along the Oregon Coast I heard her saying the following little statement.

" The only reason for shopping that I know of is to see stores and the only reason to see stores that I know of is to see BOOKS!"

The great question for everyone reading this blog is.....From where would Dacia Grace have picked up this line of thinking?! I will send the first person who posts the correct answer a great picture! Check back in a few days and I will have posted the answer.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Milestones!

There are many milestones that we as parents long to see our children reach. Each and every milestone is such a joy and we cannot imagine that there will ever be a greater milestone than the one that has just occurred.

Dacia Grace's Milestones in Review -

Double Birth Weight - Around four and a half months!
First Smile - Oh how long I waited for that one! Dacia Grace was almost five months old!
First Tooth - Around five or six months if I remember correctly!
First Taste of Solids - Peaches were NOT Dacia Grace's first choice but she certainly enjoys them now!
Rolling Over - Summer 2005
First Word - Nine months....yes, you read that correctly! For the record is was BA-BA! for her beloved baby doll
Crawling - Ten to eleven months
Walking - Thirteen months

Tonight I went into her room to hear Dacia Grace "reading" her Bible to her Daddy!

"God loves Daddy! God loves Mommy! God love Dacia Grace!"

"Yes, He does Dacia Grace!" Daddy replied.

"Daddy loves God. Mommy loves God. I love God!" Dacia Grace added.

This milestone is one that is so precious to me.....more than the rest it seems. All of the other milestones are needed in her physical, emotional and mental development which are important but.....this one! Well, it represents to me her spiritual development. The only development that has eternal value.

Please pray with us that we continue to lead Dacia Grace in the ways of the Lord and that she will soon understand the love that God has for her! Love that sent His only Son to die on a cross for the sins of the world....a world that would reject and kill Him! We so want her to know this love first hand since is the only love that is eternal!

Update to previous post.....This morning (Wednesday) I found her reading her Bible again......"I LOVE JESUS!"

Friday, August 24, 2007

Jesus Is Coming Back to Stay

Currently one of Dacia Grace's favorite songs to sing is one that I learned in youth group many years ago at Hope Church. Like many other of her favorite songs she can be heard singing this song anywhere at anytime....the grocery store, the library, at church when another song is being sung. But today wellll....

After receiving correction for disobeying Mommy, Dacia Grace was supposed to pray to Jesus and tell Him what she had done wrong and ask Him to forgive her.

"Dear Jesus, I pray that you come back soon so that Mommy will not spank me for disobeying you. Amen!"

Okay, now for the question of the day. How does one keep a straight face after such a prayer as that?

So for those of you who are unfamiliar with the song here are the lyrics

Jesus is coming back to stay
Could be any time of day.
Jesus is coming back to stay
The Holy Spirit told me so.
So praise the Lord our God
Shout hallelujah, Amen....AMEN
So praise the Lord our God
Jesus is comin' again!

So let us shout it from the mountain tops, from the grocery carts, from the newsstands, at the red lights with the abandonment of a 2 1/2 year old....

Jesus is coming back to stay!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy Birthday to Me,
Happy Birthday to Me,
Happy Birthday to Me,
Happy Birthday to Me.

Now many of you are wondering why I am singing that song because you know that my birthday is in December NOT July!

31 years ago today I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and to make me His! Praise God He did! Not because of anything that I have done but ALL because of His grace and mercy.

I wanted to take the time to public ally acknowledge the wonderful gift of life He gave to me! These past 31 years have been grace filled! Not pain free but definitely lead by Him and covered by Him! He is my source of truth, peace, love, comfort, joy, salvation, forgiveness, patience. I cannot thank Him enough.

If you do not know God personally, I would love to share Him with you! Your life will NEVER be the same!

Monday, July 23, 2007

Fanno Lodge Tidbits!

The official name of our home is Fanno Lodge. We will hopefully have our first house guests at the end of August when Arthur's parents come to visit! We are looking forward to their visit.

We have had a full month in July settling into the lodge here and enjoying ourselves. The screen porch is a favorite hang out early in the morning and late at night. Dacia Grace has her kitchen out there and enjoys cooking "tea" for anyone who comes over to visit. She is becoming quite the hostess!

The air conditioner has come in quite handy this month as Portland has been experiencing......HUMIDITY! What is up with that? I thought I left that behind in the Midwest when I moved out here to the Pacific Northwest! Thank you for our air conditioner Jesus is a consistent prayer of ours lately!

Recently we heard of a young man who went to visit a psychologist. The psychologist met the man at the door because he was quite disruptive in the waiting room......"Tee pee! Wigwam! Tee pee! Wigwam"! the young man continually yelled. The psychologist put his arm around the young man and drew him back into the inner office, "It's okay! You are just two tents!".................Okay I know, a groaner but I just had to share.

Someone commented recently that there are no new pictures on our blog. My apologies regarding that....I have to download them off the camera and with the move, I have been a little busy. Soon, I promise!

Come On Everyone, Sing Along!

Dacia Grace loves to sing! When we are in the car, she wants the radio on or a cd so that she can sing and listen to music. Lately one of her favorite songs is the theme song for The Mickey Mouse Club.

Yesterday while traveling across town to a BBQ, she wanted to sing Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck with Mommy and Daddy. "Come on everyone, sing along!" she yelled right before going into a wonderful rendition of M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! Mommy and Daddy certainly had a good laugh!

So....Come On Everyone, Sing Along.....

Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club
Who's the leader of the club
That's made for you and me

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!
Mickey Mouse (Donald Duck)
Mickey Mouse (Donald Duck)
Forever let us hold our banner high!
High! High! High!
Come along and sing a song and join the jamboree
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club

Hey, there! Hi, there! Ho, there!
You're as welcome as can be

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Welcome Home!!

Well, we have been in the new house officially for one week today! Thank you very much to the many people who came to help us...people we did not even know showed up to help!

The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and screened in porch are really starting to take shape. Our master suite is such a blessing. Just a very few boxes to unpack there. Dacia Grace's room and the extra bedroom have not been touched beyond what was done on moving day. Good friends made sure that Dacia Grace's new bed was set up before leaving. Dacia Grace has adjusted well to her big girl bed.

The garage is a totally different story! We will have to do some major downsizing to be able to walk through the garage!

We turnover the keys to the old house today. I am glad that to do that. I steam cleaned the carpets and mowed our lawn. That was a feat in and of itself. WHEW! So glad for the small front yard at the new place.

Sorry for the ramblings! I have to come to the library for a few more days to have computer access. We are still waiting on new computer hook ups at the new place.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Too Fast, Too Furious

Moving Day is here (tomorrow)! This week has flown by! Wonderful ladies from church came over to my house on Tuesday and packed up the office, Dacia Grace's room, the basement, and the garage! THANK YOU Alisa, Jill, Gramma Paula, Vinae, Karen, Hope and Aiden! We would not be ready if it were not for each of you! (We still have some things that are not in boxes but we will deal with them either early tomorrow morning or next week.)

Monday, June 18, 2007

The Fast and The Furious - Not So Much!

The packing is going on fast and furious.....okay not really so fast and furious! All of us are sick with a cold that has us really under the weather. Dacia Grace is feeling better and ready to get up and go. Arthur is the sickest! Me....well, I'm just in panic mode!

Arthur asked prayer for our health, stamina and well being. I am asking prayer that all will get packed by 10:00 AM on Saturday. Next week I need to come back into our current house and clean, clean, clean so that we will receive our deposit back in full.

Thanks for your support and prayers!

Friday, June 15, 2007

In Him We're Living! In Him We're Moving!

In Him, we're living,
In Him, we're moving,
In Him, we're finding who we are!
In Him, we're finding who we are!

And I worship Him,
Father of Light
Spirit of Truth
And I worship Him,
Jesus, We call on You,
Yes, We call on You!

This song is based on Acts 17:28 which says, " For in Him, we live and move and exist..for we also are His offspring." A regular song at church which means so much to us now because it is ONLY through Him that we found our new home and it is ONLY through Him that we are able to accomplish all that needs to be done for us to move on June 23, 2007.

As you can see from the pictures, we are so blessed! This home represents Ephesians 3:20 to us as well...

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think...to Him be the glory!

We look forward to sharing this home with you when you are in town!

Great Room










Kitchen opening to Family Room










Sundeck over Screened in Porch










All Flagstone Patio with Hottub (not pictured)










In addition to what is pictured, the Lord has blessed us with another garden shed, an attached gardening room, extensive storage in the garage and a completely remodeled house. We will have Dacia Grace's room painted by a good friend of our prior to moving in on Saturday.

Thank you all for your prayers during this transition time! We love you all!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Dear Jesus, I pray Mommy, Amen!

Last night was a very low night for me. I have been packing everyday in order for the move and have been busy making lists and checking them twice of all the things that we need to do so that this move will go as smooth as possible. But last night the stress of everything just overwhelmed me.

On the way home from church I was driving and having trouble keeping my emotions in check when the following conversation occurred.

Dacia Grace asked, "Daddy, what is wrong with Mommy?"

Daddy replied, "Mommy has an owie and she is crying."

Dacia Grace responded, "Mommy okay?"

Daddy answered, "Mommy is okay but you can pray for her."

As we continued to have a conversation between us, I heard a tiny voice in the back seat.

"Dear Jesus, I pray Mommy, Amen! Dear Jesus, I pray Mommy, Amen!

My heart was so blessed as my precious little daughter prayed for me to have my owie healed by Jesus. A moment that will linger for many years to come.

"Thank you Lord, that you care enough to hear the prayer of a little girl. Thank you for her faith as it an encouragement to me."

Today is better. Yes, there are still boxes to pack, still lists to check, still moving party helpers to find. Yet somehow my little girl's prayer still rings in my heart and ears. Oh that I would have that kind of compassionate heart when I see another person hurting.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

'Rella, Tinker Bell and Snow White

Since we will be moving to a new home later this month, we have decided to transition Dacia Grace to a "big girl bed" otherwise known as a toddler bed. I searched craigslist.com and found a wonderful princess bed which comes with princess sheets as well.

We have really been talking this up with Dacia Grace who is getting more and more excited about it everyday. With very reverent tones she tells anyone who will listen that she is getting a "Rella, Tinker Bell and Snow White" bed.


Last night or should I say early this morning, 4:30 AM to be exact, she woke me up because she wanted to go sleep in her princess bed. I laughed. We have not even picked it up yet.
Thank you to Gramma Paula for picking it up as the location is on the east side.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Changes, They Are a Comin' Yes They Are!

An original song by Mary Lou

Changes, They Are a Comin' Yes They Are!
(sung to the tune She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain)

Changes, they are a comin' yes they are!
Changes, they are a comin' yes they are!
Changes, they are a comin'
Changes, they are a comin'
Changes, they are a comin' yes they are!

We are movin' by June 30th, yes we are!
We are movin' by June 30th, yes we are!
We are movin' by June 30th
We are movin' by June 30th
We are movin' by June 30th, yes we are!

God knows where, so we're trustin' yes we are!
God knows where, so we're trustin' yes we are!
God knows where, so we're trustin'
God knows where, so we're trustin'
God knows where, so we're trustin' yes we are!

Yes, we are moving AGAIN! We received notice from our landlord that we need to be out of our home by June 30th. We are still a little shell shocked and unsure as to the reason for our landlord's decision. There are so many things that we like about our current home and location but we rest in the knowledge that God knew this was going to happen. He is not surprised by this turn of events. What a relief! This is only one of the many blessings that I can think of right now as I write.

Please be praying for us as we look for a new home. We are going out with a realtor on Memorial Day to look at some homes. We are trusting God to show us where HE would have us to move. Please pray for the new neighbors that we will have. Dacia Grace just found a little friend down the street.

Other items to pray for include: continued good health for the entire family as this will be a LONG month; stamina for Mary Lou as she holds down the fort or rather packs the fort while still keeping all of the irons in the fire needed to keep things running smoothly; logistically speaking this is going to be a very quick turn around...boxes need to be sorted and repacked, a moving team needs to be assembled, moving van rented, etc.

Thank you in advance for keeping us in your prayers!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Antelopes are good to eat with sticks!

Lately it seems that many funny conversations with Dacia Grace have occurred during Snack Time.

Yesterday she found me and said, "May I have a snack Mommy?"

"What sounds good for snack?"

"Antelopes are good to eat with sticks! Don't forget the stick!"

"Okay" Hmmm...now what was she asking for?

"Like last night Mommy! On the porch."

Finally the light bulb went on in my head. She was asking for cantaloupe with a toothpick like we had the night before.

"Yes, Dacia Grace. Antelopes are good to eat with sticks!"

Today for lunch she was having carrot sticks and hummus when she said, "I like orange sticks with humans!"

She certainly keeps us laughing.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Oranges are my favorite!


Last week I bought a Winnie the Pooh bubble blower for Dacia Grace. She played for a long time with her friend on our deck. As you can see from the pictures she was quite entertained. I heard her talking to Pooh quite often.

Later that afternoon, while inside having mandarin oranges for snack, she shouted out the screen door.

"I'm having oranges Pooh! Oranges are my favorite. I will be out to play with you in a minute. Love you Pooh!"

This was her first verbalization of one of her favorite things.

(If you look closely at Pooh you can even see him blowing a large bubble!)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I love you forever


Tonight as I was helping Dacia Grace get ready to sleep we were tidying her bed. In her bed I found the book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch that was given as a shower gift. Dacia Grace loved to have that read to her when she was younger (and still does).

The story includes a song which I put to a tune. I have sung this to Dacia Grace since she was just a few days old in the NICU; so it has a very special place in my heart. Tonight brought me to tears as Dacia Grace sang me the song! How precious to my heart.

As I ponder this story, I realize yet another reason why I find this book so special. It has to do with the time I spent helping my sister care for my mother just shortly before she died. What a privilege that was! The day I arrived my mom mouthed "Hi Mary Lou!" and smiled at me acknowledging that she knew that I was there for her in her greatest time of need. She never spoke to me or looked me in the eye again. As my sister and I cared for Mom we would sing to her hymns and read the Psalms to her as this seemed to ease her pain. So in a sense, I too, held my mother and sang this lullaby to her.

Lord thank you for my precious mother. Thank you for the privilege of caring for her in her greatest time of need as she did so many times for me! Thank you too for healing my precious daughter so that she could sing to me!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book I have included the text of Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. (I will warn you, you will probably need some Kleenex for this one. )

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!"

But at night time, when that two-year-old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometimes his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo!

But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine-year-old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo!

But at night time, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town.

But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town. If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

I Am Special

This evening as I was getting ready to go out to dinner for Mother's Day, Dacia Grace found me in the bathroom.

"I am special, Mommy! God made me special!"

"You are special honey! There is no one exactly like you or like me!"

"Daddy is special too."

"Yes, Daddy is special"

"God made Daddy! God made Mommy! GOD MADE ME SPECIAL!"

While the conversation is very Veggie Tale-ish, it still warmed my heart. I think sometimes that I am not getting through to her about how wonderful and special the God is that we serve and that we love and then out of the blue will come a conversation like this.

Happy Mother's Day to each of you! I hope that it was special to all of you.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

When I am Afraid


I have been teaching Dacia Grace the song “When I am Afraid” by Steve Green. This morning she was sitting on my computer desk and wanted to look at my Bible when the following conversation ensued.

“This is Mommy’s Bible.”

“Yes, it is! Are you going to find Jesus in the Bible?” (She often looks for the red letters as she knows that is when Jesus is talking.)

“No, Mommy. I find ‘When I am Afraid’!” She began to look very diligently through the Bible for the verses.

I helped her find the passage in Psalms 56: 3-4. She was so excited. We sang the song several times and talked about how Jesus is always with you.

We left for a play date and then returned for nap time. Before she went down for a nap, she wanted to find "Afraid" in Mommy's Bible. How could I say no to that request.

When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in Thee.
In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?

Psalms 56:3-4

It blesses Arthur and I so much to see her love for the Bible and for worship shine through on a daily basis. We are humbled to think that God has entrusted us with this precious child of His!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

I am Big and Strong

These days Dacia Grace is frequently heard saying, "I am big and strong!" She loves to help me with chores around the house.

Today I heard her coming into the kitchen, "Mommy, I help you! I am big and strong!" I turned around to see her carrying a gallon of milk to me as if it was no trouble! I had brought this in from Lola (the van) and placed it on the landing. Dacia Grace carried it up seven steps and into the kitchen. WOW! I had just brought the groceries in and was trying to get them upstairs into the kitchen but not fast enough!

When we are in restaurant booths, she can be found with her feet on the top of the bench and her hands on the table, doing bench presses with no problem!

We have one BIG and STRONG little girl now....no longer a baby!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Hold You, Mommy

I would like to dedicate this song to my precious daughter, Dacia Grace. I will always be here for you!

Hold You, Mommy

My heart is filled with joy as I hold you in my arms
Knowing all you want and all you need is truly found in me.
God's precious gift of love is all wrapped up in you.
I want to raise you up to love the Lord the way He wants me to.
I'll cherish each and every time I hold you in my arms.
Oh I know the days are passing much too fast.
But when this time has come and gone I'll hold the memory
Of your little arms extended up to me, saying...

Hold you, Mommy. Hold you, Mommy.
Safe within your arms of love is where I long to be.
Hold you, Mommy. Oh hold you Mommy
Just like the Father up above, surround me with Your perfect love again.

When you fall and skin your knee and come running back to me
I want to be the one to wipe your tears, kiss your hurts, calm your fears.
When you wake up in the night and cry out in the dark
I want to hold you close, whisper in your ear, "Everything will be alright."
I know there'll come a time when I won't hold you in my arms.
You won't need my hugs or want them anymore.
But how I want my arms to always be a refuge in your eyes
No matter where you roam or the changes in your life.


by Laurie Hilliard

Monday, April 9, 2007

Resurrection Sunday

We had a wonderful time as a family this Resurrection Sunday! We joined our church family at Athey Creek Christian Fellowship to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The church was decorated with so many beautiful flowers. After a quiet day at home, we went to the Winn's home for a wonderful dinner and time of fellowship. When we came home, we all agreed that it had been a wonderful day.


The beautiful backdrop at church gave Arthur a chance to practice his photography. The results were stunning (at least to us). A dear friend then offered to take a family picture.




We hope that you had a great time with your family as well celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.


He is risen indeed!

Friday, April 6, 2007

Future American Idol?

Dacia Grace received two different microphones for her birthday/Christmas this year. What an appropriate gift for our little singer!

As you can see here she is busy recording her first single, "Twinkle, Twinkle Happy Day" which is due out any day now. She was quite focused during this recording session and was unable to give any comment. I did talk to her producer and was given permission to post the words to her first single.


Twinkle, Twinkle Happy Day
by DGH

Twinkle, Twinkle little Star
Up in the Sky
Happy Day, Happy Day to you!



I was told by Dacia Grace's producer that this single is hard rock in nature and sung at a very loud level. Be forewarned! You will need ear plugs. Neighbors may complain to the authorities. But the bottom line according to her producer is that "God is praised!"

Dacia Grace loves to sing. Her current favorites are:

Amazing Grace
Holy Lord God Almighty
He-he, Hallelujah (aka Ho-Ho-Ho-Hosanna)
I'm Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing
Winnie the Pooh
Jesus is Coming Back
Heaven in a Wonderful Place


Yes, she does know all the verses to these songs. Her repetoire is growing daily!

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Recent Park Pictures





Raining Sunshine

This morning while getting ready for our day, Dacia Grace exclaimed, "It's raining sunshine!" A true Oregonian! There were some rain showers at the same time that it was perfectly sunshiny outside.

Other ways that she is a true Oregonian.....

No need for an umbrella in the rain. Rather an umbrella is purely intended for play.

Rain boots are daily wardrobe attire if we would let her.

When the sun is indeed shining, she is so excited.

And finally, she LOVES the park. (See next entry).

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Who is Attle, Mommy?

Over the weekend, we went to Seattle for a short family getaway. While packing to go, Dacia Grace was trying to understand where we were going so she began to ask a number of questions.

"Are we going to Bible study, Mommy?"

"No, not Bible study."

"Are we going to church, Mommy?"

"No, not church."

"Are we going to Gramma Paula's"

"No, not Gramma Paula's."

"Ellie's?"

"No, not Ellie's."

"Zach's?"

"No, not Zach's."

"Where are we going in Roger Dodger with Daddy?"

"We are going to Seattle."

"Who is Attle, Mommy!"

You just gotta love the understanding of a two year old! Arthur and I sure laughed at this conversation.

(By the way, for those of you who don't know who Roger Dodger is. Roger Dodger is our maroon Saturn that Arthur drives to work.)