Two-Words

For my own "remembery" -  

James started saying 2-word phrases very consistently yesterday. We're hearing such things as:

"Daddy go?" (Where did Daddy go?) 

"Hop peas" (help please)

"Giga home?" (Is Grammy here?) and 

"anny gone" (banana gone)

He sings all the time... and "talks" for his toys... a very fun season!

Mr. Clean

On Monday, James' chair had crumbs in it. Without a word, he went to the pantry, opened the door, pulled out the broom and attempted to sweep out the crumbs.

I wish I'd had the camera handy... what a picture it was!

My Sweet Helper

I love these pictures of James helping Mommy in the kitchen. He loves to do whatever I am doing... sweeping the floor, picking up toys, doing dishes, changing laundry. It is fun to have him help me - even though it usually takes a bit longer and requires a little more work on my part. But oh how sweet these times together are. And how quickly this season will pass!

Birthday Present Fun

Here is our boy, playing with a few of his birthday presents...

Grammy P noticed that James had enjoyed playing with cousin Anna's baby dolls so she gave him one for his birthday. She brought it in a basket along with a pillow and blanket she had made. I have loved watching James take care of this little doll with great care. He holds it very gently, feeds it bottles, then places it tenderly back in its bed and covers it with the blanket.

Each time he plays with the doll, I ask him if he'd like a baby... he says, "da-da." And so I pray for God to bring him a sibling some day soon.

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

I promised Ben that whatever the outcome of the election, I would say today, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name..." For your refreshment, here is Psalm 103 in its entirety. Here is truth. Here is reality.

Psalm 103 (English Standard Version)

Bless the LORD, O My Soul
Of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!