My name is Shannon; I will be your Interpreter!

One of my favorite seasons with Elizabeth was last summer when she was learning how to talk. Even though there were times when I did not understand, most of the time I did, and I served as her interpreter to the rest of the world. As you can imagine, I became keenly aware of what her different sounds and syllable combinations meant.

It has been almost a year since she began talking, and now she is quite intelligible. Tonight, however, I was reminded of one last remaining syllable combination that is still unrefined, rough, and rugged. :) And I love it!

Elizabeth has difficulty pronouncing words that begin with a consonant combination of "sn-, sq-, sk-, st-," etc. So instead of "pipsqueaker" (a character in one of her books), it became "pipseeker." Instead of "snack," it became "sack." And tonight, after getting a new water gun from a birthday party this morning, she told Matt, "I'm going to sirt you with my new water pistol."

Translation = "squirt!" How delightful!!

Her voice and personality are two of my favorite things about her and just another part of the unfolding blessing of being Elizabeth's mommy!

Mighty to Save

Second only to "Everlasting," Elizabeth loves singing the song, "Mighty to Save." She walks all over the house belting it out. This morning, we actually caught it on video! (In case you are wondering, she was not injured when the boxlid came down NEAR, not ON, her fingers...it's a very light wooden box). Enjoy!



"Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to Save,
He is Mighty to Save,
Forever, Author of Salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave." (repeat)

The Reason for Friends!

So, you're probably familiar with our best toddler buddy, Maxwell (read "Maxs-MELL). Today he and his mom spontaneously came over, so we spent some time outside, swinging, running around, and swatting off the Texas mosquitos.


As I watched them play, I was reminded of why it's important to have good friends. Maxwell definitely influences E, and she influences him. In fact, this first pic is of a new trick that Maxwell taught her. Up until this point, E did not know that one's tummy could be used for swinging. (P.S. I wish I had this on video because she's actually singing, nay shouting, her favorite song "From the Inside Out." Her open mouth is forming the words You're light...)





















I can see that they also influence each other's behavior. And since we pray regularly for E to have God-fearing friends who encourage her and exhort to do the right thing, we are so thankful for our buddy Maxwell. He is tender-hearted, joyful, creative, loving, and obedient (no matter what his parents might say!! :)). We pray that E might be this kind of friend to others, too.


As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Random Fun Pics!

This past weekend, our dear friends Jeff and Stephanie ("HaHa") Harrison came in town. We really enjoyed their visit, and Elizabeth did, too, as you might be able to tell from the following pictures.

Actually, this pic is from this morning when E asked if she could put on her own shirt. This is about as far as she got before she asked for help. :)

A Special Announcement!!

Elizabeth is pleased to announce her new title of "Big Sister." The new brother or sister is set to arrive some time in mid-January 2008.

As a funny side note, we used Brother and Sister Bear from the Berenstain Bears to explain to Elizabeth that she was going to be a big sister. After listening to this explanation, Elizabeth paused a moment to think and then declared, "I want a sister!"

Prayer Request

Last night at 4: 20 a.m., Elizabeth woke up screaming and crying, saying that she had had a bad dream. Matt quickly went and comforted her. Soon after, she fell asleep again. This morning during breakfast, Matt prayed before our meal and as he prayed for various people and events of the day, Elizabeth interrupted him and said in her high-pitched voice, "And pray that I won't have any more bad dreams."

We couldn't help but smile at each other as we marvel at her growing trust in the character of our loving and compassionate God.

Fun in the Sun Play Day

Yesterday, Elizabeth and all her classmates had a fun play day at school. They were so precious as they jumped in the fun house, ate snow cones, and splashed in the water and bubbles. It was a beautiful day in Texas with low humidity! Perfect for play and for pictures!! :)

Look at my Polished Toes!

Elizabeth is very observant, and one of her favorite things to notice is if a woman has "polished toes." She loves them in all colors!! So yesterday, for the first time in her young life, I polished her toes. Being conservative as I am, I painted them a lovely iridescent color, appropriately called "Rose Quartz."

She loved them and even this morning woke up and immediately remembered that she had polished toes. She said with a smile, "Mommy, you gave me polished toes!"

Our Best Buddy Maxwell

Today was Maxwell's birthday (Elizabeth pronounces it "Maxs-MELL"). He is now three years old. And since he is one of our closest friends, we met him and his parents at the mall to eat Chick-Fil-A and play on the different motorized vehicles. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAXWELL!

Little Sailor Girl

Here is our little sailor girl. My mom bought this dress for Elizabeth, and she just looked so peachy, especially in her white tights. P.S. She loves these tights and would wear them everyday if I let her. So cute!!

Elizabeth is a big girl!

Now that Elizabeth is two and a half years old, she needed a change of scenery from the crib and rocker to a big girl bed and nightstand! So the week before Easter, I painted her room yellow, added a vine and some flowers, and set up her bed complete with new sheets and comforter.

Elizabeth really loves her room; she feels very grown-up! She is continually saying to me, "I'm not a baby anymore am I , Mommy?" And I tell her, "No, you're a big girl now!!"