Psalm 121

Possibly my favorite Psalm. . .

I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let you foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thank you Lord for watching over my baby. I had one of those days today. Olivia and I went to the park for a four-year-old's birthday party. Richard was working. I don't want to retell this story because I feel like a horrible, neglectful parent. I'm sharing it because it reminds me that my God and Savior is watching over us all of the time.

This is a tough age for me. For a little girl with such a limited vocabulary, Olivia is so clear about her independence, voicing what she wants and doesn't want. I am still struggling with deciding which battles to pick and which ones to let go of.

Okay, here goes the story. We finished eating birthday cake. (Olivia no longer likes to share hers with me. I am expected to get my own.)

"Olivia, let's walk to the car to get wipes to clean your hands".

"NOOO!"

"Okay, then wait right here for me."

I ran to the car. Really, I ran. I poked my head in, grabbed the wipes, turned around, and she was headed into the street. My stomach turned upside down as I saw the car coming. Thankfully someone in our party came to Olivia's rescue. Tears still well up in my eyes. I just can't imagine losing God's most precious gift. I just wanted to hold and tell her how much I love her forever. How could I have turned my back for an instant???!!! That split second helped put all the stupid worries of life in place and made me realize what's important.

It's tough to watch her every second. I know I must; I'm the parent and it's part of my job. Days like today I start to wonder how on earth I am going to be able to take care of two kids; look how I handle one little girl, who for the most part is very sweet and obedient. Thank you Lord for watching out for both of us, for sending us miracles and angels when we don't even have a clue how much you are intervening on our behalf. Thank you for never looking away, and always watching over Your children.

PS If anyone would like to share personal stories about dropping their young children, having them fall out of cars, leaving them at rest stops, losing them in the store, etc, etc, etc, I would sure welcome them at this time!

My Dad Is the Champ!

Olivia and Richard enjoy one of the last evenings of the summer at the fire station.

Olivia, My Far-Sighted Scholar

Olivia decided to take an interest in her Grandpa's reading glasses when we were at the Lewiston airport.

"These are for helping me see???"

"I can still strike a pose."

Another Milestone

Olivia's First Haircut . . .

There's just not much to take off the back. . .

Actually, there's not much to take off the front either.

We went to Lewiston this weekend and our neighbor/ family friend/ hairstylist gave Olivia her first haircut. Olivia was a little leary of the situation until we gave her a miniature plastic horse. After that, it was happy trimming. Hopefully it will help her hair grow in faster and we'll need another trim soon.

Western Idaho Fair

Olivia experienced the fair for the second time in her life tonight. When we went last year, she began crying when a billy goat sniffed at her hand. That was certainly not the case this evening. . .

"Hi dere!"

"Come here and let me pet you, pease"

"Oh my goodness. . . this sheep is eating right out of my hand"

"THIS IS GREAT!!!"

"Holy cow, this is one big cow"

"Can I interest you in a snack, Mr Sheep?"

" Not so fast, I do this one grain at a time, otay?"

"Bye-bye friends. See you next year."

Summer Evenings

Olivia's eyes reflect so much emotion these days. They give a glimpse into what she is thinking and feeling. Her little personality reveals itself more and more every single day.

I am on vacation this week and find myself enjoying a slower, more laid back pace than usual. Richard is working, so Olivia, Dodger, and I took a walk tonight. It was perfect, the kind of night you wish could go on forever. Since I couldn't find a way to stop time, we had to settle for a second loop around our neighboring subdivision, and then the dark forced us back home. I absolutely love this time of year. The evening cooled off to 80+ degrees, and the smells, sounds, and sights of summer were everywhere. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and clean sprinkler water. I love the smell of lilacs; we actually found a tree still in bloom. I love to the hear birds singing their happy songs of summer. I appreciate the vibrant colors of the flowers that decorate many yards, as I can't seem to grow the hardiest of plants. I love to watch the sun as it passes over the horizon, a fireball in the evening sky. Most of all, I love to listen to Olivia in the stroller I push ahead of me. She carries on a complete conversation with herself, stopping every once in awhile to holler at Dodger or point something out to me. She notices the cows in the field next door, the ducks and geese in the sky, beginning their journey north as the season turns, the birds chirping. . . she picks up on everything it seems.

I thank God for nights like tonight, the ones I wish would go on forever. It's hard to believe there's pain and suffering in much of the world when God wraps us up in such a beautiful place. I have so much to thank Him for; there's so much I take for granted. Of all the places in the world I could have been born, how lucky am I to be born here, in the United States. I can own as many Bibles as I want and read them whenever I want. Yet do I read His Word often enough and for the pure joy of knowing Him better? I can worship wherever and whenever I choose, but do assemble with fellow Christians more than the standard once a week? I can share my love for Christ and His story with anyone I choose, yet how often am I silenced by fear of rejection? Despite all these shortcomings and failures, rather for these shortcomings and constant failures, my Savior died and rose again. And he still chooses to share beautiful summer evenings with me.

My Little Olympic Twirler

Olivia is practicing her gymnastics floor routine with her swimming goggles. She's a bit Michael Jordanesque in this photo; I think its because she's such a fierce competitor!

Like so many American families, we find ourselves caught up in the Olympics at our house. Like most Americans, we tune in for swimming and gymnastics.

Today I explained to Olivia how the racers in the pool were swimming fast, just like Olivia goes swimming and kicks her feet in the water. She got this cute look across her face that said, "Ah ha, I get it, Mom".

I think women's gymnastics is my favorite. Tonight, as I watched the young girls compete, I thought, "If we lived in China, Olivia could be an Olympic gymnastic in twelve, maybe even eight years from now!"

Big Shoes to Fill

Olivia's got quite a bit of growing to do before she can fit into dad's shoes. They don't match her outfit, anyway.

Daddy's Painting Helper

Just need you to touch up this trim right behind me Dad. . . Can you handle it?

Okay, Dad, let's do this thing! You hold the ladder for me, okay?

Good grief, this is one heavy rope! Where are my pack dogs when I need them?

I Love to See You Smile