Caribbean Dreamin'

Our daughter, Alyssa, posing on an island in the Caribbean

I LOVE days like today and yesterday. The sky is SO blue. The breeze is JUST right. The sun is warm but gentle and the birds' songs are melodious. You would think I'd love for the weather to be like this all the time. Well of course I would, there's just one problem...I can't get anything DONE! Are ya feelin' me? Every thirty seconds I stop typing, researching, show-prepping, or whatever, and just stare out the window at this picture perfect day.

There's nothing at all to complain about, I guess I'm just wondering if it's OK to daydream off and on throughout the workday because I've been revisiting the island in the Caribbean Jeremy, Alyssa, and I got to enjoy in February on our big family vacation. This weather puts me right back there and I want to start looking for some seashells and building a sand castle. Anybody wanna join me? We'll just be gone for a few minutes and then it's back to work.

What's your favorite thing to do on a day like today?

Getting past "fine", "nothing", & "I don't know"

I've noticed a pattern already when it comes to asking my 5-year-old about her day. In fact, I heard it again just a few minutes ago. I had called my mom after Vacation Bible School pick-up to see how Alyssa enjoyed the second day.

"What was the best part of the morning?" I asked expectantly.

"Right now, being with Grandma!" She bounced back.

"Oh, that's great! And, what was the best part of VBS?"

"Right n-  OH! (giggles) Um...doing the verse (for her teacher)."

Did you catch it? I've been hearing it a lot lately. At dinner when I ask what was the best part of her day she'll shout out, "Right now!" We've always responded with "Aw"'s and "That's so sweet"'s. But, I'm on to her. "Right Now!" is her version of  "fine", "nothing", and/or "I don't know". Aaaack! Aren't these a parent's most dreaded responses? And, isn't she a little young to have a pat answer?

So, I need to put a little more work into getting some real answers from my little girl. Here are some questions I think might mix things up a bit:

What story did the teacher tell in class today?


Did you have broccoli and spinach for snack?


What was your favorite song during music time?

I'll be adding more to my repertoire as I go along. But, I'm determined to get the real AND the full story from my daughter. I truly want to connect with her and find out what's going on in her beautiful little head and heart.

What gets your kids talking in the car or at the dinner table?

Random Fun Facts for a Friday...and a Random Giveaway!

Today work started, like most days, with a post on facebook. It was a Random Fun Fact I'd found on my eNewsletter from BabyCenter.com: Did you know that butterflies have about 1,200 eyes? But they're clustered together, so they kind of look like one big eye. Just a little randomness for a Friday. Well, right away three or four friends commented with their own fun facts and that's when the lightbulb went off. How about a Random Fun Fact for Friday Random Giveaway?! Yeah, it's a long title, but it just came to me!

I'm sure you have some  Random Fun Fact stored in that incredible brain of yours. Here's you chance to let it out to shine, baby! Share your Random Fun Fact as a comment on this blog post and you could win. What's the prize? We'll draw a few winners at random and send them, well, a random prize. Could be a T-Shirt, could be a CD...could be TICKETS to Faith and Family Night with the Peoria Chiefs, Lincoln Brewster, and this year's Opening Act winner. I'm just saying...it COULD be. But, you'll never know until you win. And, you'll never win until you comment on this post with your favorite Random Fun Fact. Make sure you include an email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

We'll post the Radom Winners Monday morning right here on the blog. Happy Weekend!



Best feeling in the world!

I used to think the best feelings came from the thrill of riding a roller coaster or the heart pangs of the beginning stages of infatuation. But, I had no idea what was waiting for me as a Mommy! This morning as I dropped off my five year old at Grandma's house, I experienced one of the most incredible moments of my life.

I was getting into the car to leave and Alyssa said, "Mommy, I'll help you close the door!" She pushed the door closed and pressed her little face up against my window and yelled through the closed pane, "I love you!" Her eyes twinkled, her little nose crinkled and she smiled that smile that only comes from a truly happy little heart. Then she blew me several kisses one right after the other. And then she was gone. And I was flying high!

Knowing how much my girl loves me and how happy she is tells me three things:

She knows she is loved by her Mommy and Daddy

She knows her Mommy and Daddy love each other

She knows she is loved by God

I mean, think about it, aren't these the three things it all really comes down to? Aren't these the things that make a child feel confident and secure? And then, knowing these three important things, a child can be truly happy. I know I know, it's a lot to take away from one little moment. And, yes, of course, a child can feel confident and secure in a single parent home as well. But somehow this morning that brief interaction spoke volumes to my heart and encouraged me in a way few others have!

Tell me about a favorite moment you've shared with one of your kids or a loved one recently. What did it speak to your heart?