Call Upon the Lord

Today Betsy bumped her head on the table corner...it was right before naptime so she was rather fragile and burst into tears that the bump didn't really merit. I picked her up and she began wailing, "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" Thankfully she only hears the name of Jesus in the right context or I would have thought she was cursing! I had to laugh, but it also made me feel good that she's equating Jesus with comfort (I think she was saying that because we've been singing Jesus Loves Me at bedtime and so she associates that with being cuddled and comforted.)

We've been working on weaning her from her bedtime nursing and the other day when she was upset about it she whimpered for Daddy and then after a moment when he didn't come, she whimpered, "Jesus." She was hoping someone would come and make Mommy give in! ;)

Ah...out of the mouths of babes.

Lori does it again...

I keep telling her...she needs to go pro!!

She took this tonight when we happened to meet up at the park with both kids and dogs in tow. Betsy and Devin had a great time running and rolling in the grass. So cute!

Heartbreakingly beautiful

My wonderfully talented friend Lori took this picture of Betsy on Saturday at the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis walk. It leaves me speechless!

Tulip Time

We spent a perfect Michigan spring day in Holland at the Tulip Time Festival on Saturday. Betsy saw her first parade. She liked the drums and the various pretty girls in tiaras (Miss Asparagus Festival, Miss Pre-Teen USA, etc.). She DID NOT like the giant dragon balloon that had to be abruptly pulled to the ground to go under the trees right in front of us. She leapt into my lap and said, "Scared, Mama!" It was a little scary, I must admit! In spite of this it was a fun day!


Sniffing the pretty tulips


Daddy with a homemade caramel...not a cigar!


Still recovering from the dragon encounter.


In front of the pretty flower-covered fountain


Daddy and Betsy checking out the goldfish pond


Made in the shade with a Tootsie Pop

Summer Evening S'mores

Hanging out in the backyard, having some s'mores!



Daddy minding the fire.


Betsy going undercover...to get more graham crackers.


All giggles!!


Yum...I like my s'mores without marshmallows or chocolate...



Sharing...

Band of Brothers

Here's Myron camping last weekend with the great guys in his men's group: Kevin Miles, Myron, Dave Turner and his son, Brian.

Kevin has just started a ministry called Go the Distance to help men become great fathers. Check it out here and learn how you can help!

Playtime in the Sun

A couple bowls of water and a spoon equals summer fun!





Dirt...another favorite pasttime!

Pretty in Peach

Daddy picked out this cute outfit while he and Betsy were on a date to Target. :) Daddy has good taste!

Checking out those ants again! (The other day I picked her up from the sidewalk and she was covered in little black ants...swinging from her hair like little Tarzans, crawling on her face and all over her arms and legs...agh! She didn't care one bit. Unfortunately the next day she put her hand in a pile of angry little ants and they decided to bite. She slowly brought her hand up off the sidewalk, looked at all those angry little bugs, and it suddenly dawned on her that all those pinches she was feeling were bites! Waaaa! But once I brushed them all off she was right back to her ant loving ways.)

Conversations with a Toddler

Just had this little chat with Betsy:

(Backstory: Last night we went to Babies R Us and I said, "Let's go look at some baby stuff.")

This morning:

Betsy: Cool Baby stuff?

Me: You want to go see baby stuff?

Betsy: That's right! (Nodding head vigorously). Let's go! Baby stuff!

Then I smelled something and asked if she had a poopy. She looked at me a moment and then sniffed--guess she can only tell if she smells it too.

Toddler conversations...gotta love 'em!

Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin--Hallelujah!

Some beautiful music for your Wednesday courtesty of Betsy's very talented Aunt and Uncle--also known as Over the Rhine.

I yuv you, Mama

Today, for the first time ever, Betsy told me she loved me spontaneously. Not once, not twice, but three times.

This morning we were shopping in Hobby Lobby and she smiled up at me from the cart and said, "I yuv you, Mama." Mommy proceeds to melt into a mushy puddle of joy.

Tonight as she was drifting to sleep she looked up twice and whispered it again with sleepy, happy eyes. And I breathed a prayer of thanks for such a precious gift. My sweet little girl.

What I'm worth...

I have to say that this made me feel pretty good.

Betsy at Grandma and Grandpa's Party

Looking for ants!



Running free


Making the leaves fly


Inspecting the tree...for ants!


A little organ concert for Daddy


Let me just set a few levers here and I'll play another one for you.


Pretty girl...in her 4T outfit that fits perfectly!

As you can see, I spent most of the party outside chasing our very active little girl all around the retirement village! Oh well...at least I got some good pics!

Grandma and Grandpa Detweiler Celebrate 50 Years

Myron's parents, John and Ruth, had a celebration this weekend for their 50th anniversary. It was a great day of memories and family and good food! Here are some pictures from the big day:


Grandma Ruth (in the red dress) is one of 12 in her family and all of her living siblings were able to make it to celebrate with her!


Myron's cousin Heidi and her newest little one, Jenna (who was born in the van parked outside the locked birthing center!)

Myron's oldest brother Conrad and three of his five, Hannah, Jesse, and Rachel


Grandpa John's brother Rudy and his wife Anne.

Myron's cousins and aunts, enjoying pictures and coffee.

Singing


Aunts, uncles and cousins (I was not very good about keeping them all straight so I'm going to refrain from trying to name them since I'll probably get the names wrong!)


Pretty, yummy cake

Betsy was nice enough to share Elmo with this cute little girl.

Grandpa John and Grandma Ruth



Beautiful little Angela, Betsy's second cousin (or something like that!)

Grandpa John chatting

This is the family of Myron's cousin. They are Amish and the children speak Pennsylvania Dutch only. Now I realize why that little girl in the pink kept talking to me and I couldn't understand her!

Betsy is ready to take off her shoes after only 5 minutes!

Happy Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa!!