3/17/06 at 3:35pm

Dear Laurel-

How is it possible that you are 3 years old?  I am just sure that you are still my baby, however, I must concede that you are getting bigger.  Everyday you find new ways to capture my heart.

I love the way you put your hand on my arm when we are close, and the way you give me little pats on the back when we hug.  You are so willing to submit yourself to the ideas of other (older sisters) and yet, you have really carved out your own little place in this family.  We love your squishy buns and your dainty giggles. You do an incredibly accurate impression of Moto-Moto on Madagascar 2 ("I like 'em big, I like 'em chunky").  It thrills me that you'll eat salad without gobs of ranch, and snap peas, and hummus, and tofu shakes, and almost anything else that I put in front of you. Your long stories and detailed articulations amaze me for someone of your age. Sometimes I think that I could listen to you for hours.  The best mornings are the ones where you make your way to my bed before everyone else wakes up.  Sweetness is exchanging quiet whispers about dreams or the plans of the day with you. 

You are incredibly good and naming your babies.  "Annalina" and "Special Baby" are well taken care of.  You also have the amazing ability to chew 4 pieces of gum at once!  I've never known someone to have such an obsession over chapstick.  It is crazy the way you keep track of it all day long and hide it under your pillow at night. I can attest to the fact that you have some of the softest lips around.

I prayed for you from the moment I knew I was pregnant.  After Hannah (who had colic for 8 months) I pleaded with the Lord to give me a baby with a sweet spirit. As He always does- He provided. I'll never forget your birth. It was almost like I knew I was giving birth to a close companion, a special friend, a contented soul. 

Happy Birthday "Laurel Baby", I'll never stop calling you that.

**I know I've been missing for a while...I'll be back soon with updates on homeshooling, vegan eating and some sewing.  PROMISE!"

My Funny Valentines

  "Love" according to these three:

Respecting, serving, helping, being an example, hugging, kissing, tickling, not fighting, sharing, obedience, honesty, kindness, saying "I love you", saying "I love you so much that I just want to kiss you!", making things and giving gifts, giving away your favorite ______  and not keeping it for yourself, letting someone else go first.

 

Emma: What I love

"Jesus, camping, my house, my money (she's worked hard for it :), the world, recycling, art, making crafts, plants, pools."

Hannah: What I love

"Yogurt without chunks, doing projects, going to water-slides, trees, apples, apple trees, having treats."

(there was one other thing that I decided to edit out for your benefit...it had to do with bodily functions :)

 

Laurel: What I love

"Green Juice (Odwalla Superfood), drawing, sitting up on the counter when you make dinner, Big Grandpa Jim (my dad), reading books, painting my toenails.

 

I love their hearts- so simple and pure.  I love when they ask me for a hug, or tell me when I've hurt their feelings. I love hearing them tell me that they love me a thousand spontaneous times per day.

 

I love their transparency, never hiding their sadness or fear or joy.

 

I love how they make me laugh and cry all in the same day, all in their own ways. 

 

I love their smell, their chubby fingers, their soft bellies, their breathy whispers.

I love them and they love me.  Almost nothing else matters!

cleaning house

If you are like me, right about now you are tearing down the decorations and scrubbing everything.  I always get that spring cleaning itch right after Christmas. I scrapped my tree yesterday.  A nice clean slate! Clean countertops and clutter free rooms- bliss.

This year, as gifts for my friends, I went a little crunchy. I put together little cleaning kits for my friends.

 

The Dollar Tree was so helpful.  I found the empty spray bottles, scrub brushes, microfiber sponges and cute green baskets there.  I also tucked in an organic cotton dish towel.  The cleaners I made for them: All-Purpose Cleaner, Window Cleaner, and Lavender Scouring Scrub. 

 

Here's how I made them.

All Purpose Cleaner:

In an large glass measuring cup I mixed together 1 tsp Baking Soda, 2 tsp Borax, a few drops of Lliquid Dish Soap. (I used this because it was dye and fragrance free), and 2 cups of very Hot Water.  Stir, stir, stir.  Then I added a splash of Lemon Juice and several drops of Lemon Essential Oil.  Then, use a funnel to pour cleaner into an empty spray bottle. 

Window Cleaner:

Again, in a large glass measuring cup mix together 2 Tbl Vinegar, a few drops of Liquid Dish Soap, and 2 cups Hot Water.  Using a funnel, pour into empty squirt bottle.  This one is so easy! If you are just staring to use natural glass cleaner you may find this to be somewhat smeary as it cleans off all the residue of commercial cleaners.

Lavender Scouring Scrub:

In a large bowl measure 2 cups of Baking Soda.  Add 10-15 drops of Lavender Essential oil into the bowl along with the baking soda.  Then, pour this mixture into a sifter and work all the little clumps out.  I put finished mixture into a wide mouth pint jar.  This smells so good and can also be used in the laundry along with to your soap.

Easy huh?  Happy Scrubbing.

**With all the tidying up around here, I haven't neglected myself. There's been some "cleaning house" going on inside of me too.  I've been doing this program for sometime now and am beginning to see real and lasting changes in my heart and in my weight too.  Just thought I would throw that out there as many of you may be contemplating your New Year's Resolutions.