Can I Pray for You?

My baby gets it! I cut my finger the other day and I yelled out. Sydney immediately checked on her boisterous mom. “Are you okay?” I showed her my finger and how did she respond? “Can I pray for you?” Yes! She responded exactly how I wish I would respond whenever I see a hurting individual. So disarming, so comforting, so beautiful, so perfect. Thanks Sydney.

Happy Ocala Day

Happy Ocala Day! That’s how Sydney wakes me on the day we go to Ocala to see her grandparents and cousins. Most of you know Ocala as the name of a beautiful community with hills and horses. Well, you would be wrong. Sorry. Ocala, according to Sydney is Grandma and Poppy’s house and that’s it. If we drive a few feet from the house, Sydney asks “when are we going back to Ocala?” It drives her cousins crazy. “We are in Ocala” is their consistent reply, but she doesn’t believe them. Have you ever heard the saying, “Home is where your heart is?” Well, Ocala is where your grandma and poppy are.

Penguin Party of Four

My Sydney got just what she asked Santa for this Christmas. As a matter of fact, she got everything on her list. What made her the most excited? A small, stuffed penguin from Publix. SHHH, you say. Don't say it is from Publix. Sydney knows, she will tell you, that is where Santa bought it. She reminded me all the time that Santa had to go to Publix to get the blue, tiny penguin, not the black penguin, and not the big penguin - the tiny, blue penguin. Everything on her list was that specific. Looking at the pictures, you may figure out why. The blue, tiny penguin completed a set, a perfect family, a completed collection unknown to anyone but Sydney. She wants everything from stuffed animals to deflated balloons to be a part of a group. Even sugar packets on a restaurant table can be turned into a little party of friends. There is no such thing as “alone”. This can be a difficult trait when you are looking through the couch cushions for a tiny red monkey the size of a nickel, but it is beautiful just the same.

The True Meaning of Christmas

It is so important to me for Sydney to realize the true meaning of Christmas. It is easy for all of us to get caught up in the presents, lights, Santa and reindeer. We have had such a blast with each and every special moment leading up to Christmas this year. We have done it all... Decorating the house, visiting Disney, Christmas light looking, baking, making gifts, and even our first round of opening presents. But, I was so proud of Sydney tonight for two simple gestures that let me know she recognized the true meaning behind it all. She made Jesus a birthday card and we took it to church with us and following our devotion time tonight she chose three songs to sing for Jesus. It was so precious. We sang Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Jesus Loves Me for Jesus. I know he enjoyed it.

(The picture is Sydney with her grandparents before our Christmas eve service.)

Sydney and Daddy Build a Gingerbread House

Sydney is having a blast this Christmas. Here she is making a gingerbread house with her daddy. You will hear her new favorite saying, "You make me got the giggles". She makes me giggle. Please notice that her paper cut out of Squirt helps build the house. I bet you a skunk makes it into every Holiday picture this year. I love that baby! She adds her own flair to everthing she does.