Here's a funny video of Emma playing "Ring Around the Rosie" by herself in our backyard. I started recording just a tad late so I missed the spinning in circles part. Basically, the clip starts at the "ashes, ashes...fall down" part, except the grass was a little wet so she ends up getting frustrated with being "dirty" and quits playing altogether....but it's still cute!! Of course, I'm a little bias :o)

Tonight, Emma was "sharing" her bedtime snack with her baby doll. Here is the "conversation" that she had with her baby:
More crackers?
I share, Emma.
There you go.
Thank you.
Welcome.

First of all, I want to apologize for how ridiculously LONG my last post was. I'll try not to do that again. I tend to only blog once a month or every 2-3 weeks, and by that point I always have so much I want to share.....but that was just too much last time. Sorry.
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The "Easter Sun Run"
Well, I DID end up running the 2 mile race last Saturday!! (I'm not a long-distance kind of runner--never have been--so it was a big deal for me!! :o) I wasn't too concerned about my time....my goal was just to RUN the whole thing. I ALMOST made it! I walked for about 5 seconds on 3 separate occasions. I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the friend that I ran with, John Brooks. He encouraged me all along the way...I would have given up if it hadn't been for him. I don't know my "official time" but we estimated that it was between 21-22 minutes....my goal next year is to beat that time! :o)

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As you can see, we TRIED to take a picture of Emma on Easter Sunday....some days are just not good "picture days!" :o) I feel this way sometimes, don't you?!?!!


Some afternoon playtime....


The highchair is officially in storage! YEA!! She now sits either at the table with us in a booster seat or at her own little matching table that her Nana and Papa got for her. She loves being able to do "big girl" things!


Here's a pic of Emma with her friends, Rachel & Cora, at the zoo. I couldn't ever get all 3 of them to look at the camera at the same time, but this was a cool shot showing how close they got to be to the bear. Emma LOVES the zoo! It's so nice to finally have decent weather now and not feel all cooped up inside all the time. Yea for Spring!! :o)

A few "Emma stories"....

1. Emma has a new "habit" that we're working REALLY HARD to try to break. She has started pointing at things with her middle finger!!! When we're alone at home & she points at a picture in a book.....those times, it's kinda funny. When she points at something out in public, or better yet, a person, then it's not so funny! Brett's grandfather used to point that way too....maybe it's a genetic thing?!?!??
2. Emma is really into playing games now. A few of her favorites: "Guck, Guck, Goose" ; "Rosie" (Ring around the Rosie); & "Mommy, Hide!" (Hide & Seek) This ones super cute...she always hides in the same place and just waits for me to come find her. More than just loving to hide and be found, we think she's also learned the meaning of procrastination...hide & seek always seems to happen at bedtime. Even though I try really hard to stick to the bedtime routine, she's so stinkin' cute that I just can't help but to "play along" with her. Such fun!! :o)
3. I'm convinced that there is no sweeter thing than to hear your child say the name of JESUS!! After we pray together, she smiles real big, even giggles sometimes, and then claps her hands, saying "Jesus." What JOY it brings to my heart! It makes me think about our Heavenly Father and how He loves to hear His children (young & old) speak His Son's name. I'm finishing up a book right now called "The Road to Reality" that has challenged me & reminded me of all the unreached peoples in this world and how our Father desires for them to know His Son, Jesus, too. It's been making me so sad to think about because I know that my sweet little Emma is no more precious to Him than all the beautiful faces of children around the world, whom He created for His glory, who have not yet heard the name of Jesus. How grateful we are to be able to teach Emma about Jesus, and yet, still our hearts desire to also be able to share with those who have never heard His name & do not know of His love.

My heart is so full right now....I could keep typing, but I'll stop for now. Sometime soon, I'd like to share more about this book that I've been reading and how God has been challenging me and convicting me through it.
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I'm really sorry....this post ended up being long after all. Thank you for reading all of it!! And thank you for your continued love, support, and encouragement! We are so grateful for your friendship!! :o)