Only 3 1/2 and Already Riding Zebras!

Merritt went on a field trip Thursday with her class to Touchstone's Wildlife and Art Museum. Since we do not have a zoo in our area, this was a great way for Merritt's class to celebrate zoo week. They have more than 1000 animals on display getting many of their skins from zoos after the animals have died. The lady was so nice and allowed the children to sit on one of the zebras to have their picture taken. Merritt had lots of fun with her mom and three of her grandparents along for the ride!

Surprise Snow!

How can your day not be perfect if it starts out with snow! What a surprise we had as the garage door was going up this morning! When the extent of your TV viewing in the mornings range from Dora to SpongeBob, you never know what awaits you beyond your back door!

The girls were thrilled to see "snow" falling from our Southern skies! When you live in the south, you call dandruff snow! Morgan and Merritt had visions of snowball fights and snowmen dancing in their heads as we drove to school! Believe it or not, there are small flakes falling in this picture! Maybe you can see the light dusting on the monkey grass! It wasn't much, but it was thrilling!

Sisterly Bonds

Last night with Daddy out of town, it was girls' night! We had a great time playing together but at one unfortunate point, Morgan decided she no longer wanted to play with us and chose to go to her room alone. Crushed, Merritt followed her, desperately trying to convince her sister why she needed to allow her in her room. No luck! Being the younger sister myself, my heart went out to her. She finally got in the room and begged Morgan to let her play with her Barbies. Morgan didn't have to play with her. Merritt just wanted to be in Morgan's room, playing with Morgan's toys, near Morgan.

Believe me Merritt, I understand all about being the second one to do everything and I definitely understand always wanting to be around your big sister! It's tough experiencing all the first things in your life for your parents' second time! I tried to explain to you that one day, Morgan would want you to play with her and then you could tell her no just like she told you no. You sweetly replied, "No, Momma. When Morgan wants to play with me, I will always say yes!"

That's when it struck me! Sweet Merritt, there is something we do first! Younger sisters are the first to realize the true bond of sisterhood! Older sisters still remember life before us but we are so fortunate to have always had our sisters in our lives! Trust me, little one, life will come full circle. Morgan will need your advice one day just as much as you need hers. You will be best friends and even if she remembers some of her life before you were in it, it's the years after you arrived that she will cherish the most!

Note: Thanks for all the votes. I'm not 100% sure which one I will use. I really like #3 but am drawn to #1 because it reminds me of a special picture of me and Amy seen above! I think I'll give them both to the artist and let her decide which one will make the best pencil sketch.

Pencil Sketch

My dear sweet friend, Karen gave me a pencil sketch of the girls for Christmas. She wanted it to be of my favorite picture of the girls so she gave me a "gift certificate" for it and asked me to provide her with the photo. Not having a favorite of the two of them together other than some professional shots, we had a little photo shoot yesterday. I didn't think I got any great pics until I downloaded them to the computer! Now I'm having trouble deciding! So, I have a little project for you, which one is your favorite? Thanks for the help!

Maestro Morgan

Morgan began her second semester of Suzuki violin. She is really enjoying the group and private lessons. Before Christmas she was invited to play in the holiday concert at her school performing several variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star! Over the holidays I have not been the best Suzuki mom and it showed in last week's lesson. I was impressed how much Morgan had retained over our hiatus but this week in our group lesson, I think she felt a slight bit behind of her fellow students! We buckled down and practiced and it definitely paid off yesterday in your private lesson! Morgan you did a beautiful job playing Lightly Row and were thrilled when Mrs. Elaine introduced you to a new song! Keep up the good work and you'll be on to another song in no time!

As a mother, I am always looking for life lessons to teach you and Merritt. Yesterday, I realized you learned one on your own when you turned to me and said, "Wow, the practicing really paid off!"

Hail To The Chief

No matter how you voted in November, we all go to sleep tonight with a new leader of the free world! Congratulations President Obama and Mrs. Obama! Since Scott offers political commentary to one of our local news stations, imagine the conversations in our household and how much the girls hear and see their daddy discussing politics! Over the Christmas holidays I baked some Christmas cookies for the girls. As I was trying to find out their favorites, I asked them which one they liked best. When Merritt didn't answer, I asked her, "well, Merritt, which one do you vote for?" She immediately replied, "Barack Obama!" Not sure she's been listening to her daddy's commentary but she's definitely aware of the process!

Martin Luther King's Dream

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.— Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington, August 1963

As so many politicians, history buffs and TV commentators are suggesting that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream is being realized tomorrow when Barack H. Obama takes the oath of office and becomes this great nation's 44th president, I would like to suggest that Reverend King's dream is also being realized as two little southern girls try to figure out what all the fuss is about! How wonderful it is to witness the innocence of children who truly don't see the color of one's skin or their gender; but truly see the content of one's character!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Scott's mom emailed me this picture today. It warmed my heart to see big sister taking care of little sister especially in current times when little sister isn't always the apple in big sister's eye! What an awesome responsibility you have, Morgan, to be the wonderful example you are to Merritt. I know it's not always easy but believe me, the love and support of a sister is like no other! Trust me, I know! Not so long ago, I was Merritt and Aunt Amy was you! Eventually, you will be the best of friends and one day you will find yourself turning to Merritt for support and advice!

Tonight as we were participating in the nightly rituals, I began washing Morgan's hair saying, "Rub-a-dub-dub...." Before I could complete the all too familiar saying, Merritt chimed in... "three minutes in the tub!" Not exactly how I remember the catchy phrase! Does Momma rush you two in the bath????

"And This One Shall Be Called Merritt"

After dropping Sissy off at school today, I turned around to Merritt and said, "Okay chicky, it's your turn to go to school." She quickly let me know that her name's not chicky, it's Merritt! I told her I knew her name very well because I'm the one that named her. She responded, "No you didn't, God named me!" I asked her, "when did he name you?" And she said, "right before he gave me to you!" She said it with such confidence I instantly pictured God holding her in His hands saying, "And this one shall be called Merritt!" When I shared this with her she told me, "that's right and right before he gave you Morgan he said, "And this one shall be called Morgan!"

Guest blogger: Morgan, age 7

Morgan was asked to contribute to our church's Lenten devotional book this year. Here is what she wrote....

Mark 16:6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid him."

Every year our church has an Easter egg hunt. We do this to celebrate when Jesus rose from the dead. Last year, my sister, Merritt, found the golden egg and she won the prize. Later, I asked my parents why do we hunt for eggs at Easter. They told me that eggs are symbols of life. So every time I see an egg at Easter, I think of when Jesus rose from the dead to new life.

Dear God, thank you for eggs. They remind me of life. Thank you for Jesus and the new live he gives to me. Amen.

Thought for the day: Jesus brings me new life.

The Wisdom of a Three Year Old

Last night during dinner, I was telling the girls how much I loved Christmas. I love the decorations, the hymns we sing in church, the crisp nights looking at Christmas lights. Most importantly I love being with family and now that I have a family of my own, I love passing along Christmas and Advent traditions from my childhood. As I was thinking about all these things, I said to the girls, "wouldn't it be great if we could have Christmas everyday!" Merritt quickly responded, "But Momma, if we had Christmas everyday, we would never have Easter!" She was probably thinking about not wanting to miss out on the Easter bunny and the chocolate he brings, but my heart was hoping she was thinking deeper! She at least made me think deeper! You're right Merritt, we would miss out on Easter and oh how much we would be missing!

Morgan at 50

As I was reminiscing yesterday about the past seven years, I came across this drawing Morgan did last year in kindergarten in celebration of her 50th day of school!

I particularly love the highlights, wrinkles and double chin! I know you'll need the highlights, Morg, but I pray that wrinkles will be kind and that you don't have a double chin!

Looking forward to celebrating your 50th with you! Your poor Momma will be pushing 80 at that time so please pick me up for the party!

Thanks for celebrating just with family this year, I hope you thought your party was as special as I did!

Seven Years of Morgan

Dear Morgan,

You entered this earthly world 7 years ago today but you were born into my heart many years before! You are the sweet creation of God's that made me a mother, something I had hoped to be for a long time! You have brought much joy to our lives as we have watched you grow from a smart and funny toddler into a kind and gentle child. I have many hopes and dreams for your future and look forward to each new day with you!

May you continue to have the desire to read, learn and challenge yourself!


May you continue through life the confident and strong girl who started kindergarten with a smile on her face barely looking back at her Mom and Dad! I'm glad you didn't or you would have noticed the tears welling up in my eyes!

May you always be best friends with Merritt cherishing the special bond that only sisters have!

May you smile often, laugh often and love with your whole heart as you contribute so much to this world we live in! Your kind, sweet spirit is such an inspiration to me!

I love you all the way to the Moon and back,

Mom

Merritt's love

Merritt has loved Scott's favorite t-shirts and my favorite night shirts for quite sometime! She affectionately refers to them as their color. So she drags around "Pink", "Grey" and "Blue" quite often. They have ventured out with us to the soccer field, Target, grandparents' houses for sleep overs, etc. She has finally dwindled her collection down to "Pink" and "Grey". Pink is my night shirt and Grey is Scott's t-shirt. This weekend we went to Arlington for Scott's cousin's Eagle Scout award ceremony. "Grey" came with us. Last night in the hotel, I pulled out my pajamas, "Blue". I thought Merritt had forgotten all about "Blue" but when she saw it come out of the suitcase she grabbed it and gave it the most endearing hug! I let her know that Momma had brought "Blue" to sleep in. She quickly responded, "well, you should have brought other pajamas." We compromised by sleeping together so she could hold on to "Blue."

Christmas Morning

I know it's 2009 but I can't help but share Christmas morning with you. Scott and I have decided that we will allow Santa to bring small things Christmas morning and the big gifts will come from Mom and Dad.

After all the festivities Christmas Eve, Scott loaded the car with gifts for both sides of the family in preparation for Christmas morning. Our plan was to see what Santa brought in our stockings and then head to my parents to open gifts and then on to Scott's parents that afternoon.

The girls ran down the stairs with excitement and looked at what Santa had placed in their stockings. Morgan turned to the Christmas tree and said, "Let's see if Santa put any presents under the tree!" Merritt ran behind her and after discovering an empty tree said in amazement, "Santa took all our presents!" I'm not sure she thought it was an even exchange but it was a great Christmas shared by all!

Resolutions

res o lu tion (noun) : the act or process of resolving

2009 begins like many other years, with a list of resolutions!

Lose weight

Organize our home

Continue to exercise regularly

Write more handwritten notes, not emails

Be more patient with the girls

Regular date night with Scott

Start my own blog!

I have admired many a blog for most of 2008 and have "resolved" to join the blogging world in 2009! I'm hoping to share the stories of my two M&Ms, Morgan and Merritt. They light up our life and make us laugh so much! I am afraid as time goes by I will forget all the funny stories and sisterly antics that make me and Scott smile. This is how I hope to share their history with them!