On the grosser side

When Judah started talking, I found myself examining my own speech patterns a lot, and realizing that there are things I say constantly, verbal tics I don't even know I have until I hear Judah copying them. Apparently I say "Hmmm, let's see" quite a bit. I recognize my own words in a lot of what he says, but then once in a while he comes up with something and I can't figure out where he got it at all.

Like the other day. We've been having naptime battles that involve everything from bribery to spanking to get him to stay in bed. He's developed one good trick, and that is that he knows if he can produce a poopy diaper he has total immunity from any and all harsh words or punishment for that round. So he routinely "saves up" for naps and bedtime.

So a couple days ago he opens his door with cries of "Poopy! Poopy!" I of course go to rescue him from the mire in his diaper, and as I'm lifting him onto the changing pad he says, with great pleasure, "Smells like a big one!"

Please tell me that phrase has never come out of my mouth.

I forgot

So, Eszter has been going stir-crazy. We broke a heat record here in Arizona, and she has pretty much only left the house for church and a few brief trips to the store. As a result, she has been misbehaving in ways we never thought possible. Those of you who know Eszter, probably think we are crazy. She is usually really well-behaved. So, tonight, I was getting her ready for bed and I asked, "Eszter, how come you've been so naughty today?" Eszter thinks hard for a moment and looks at me wide-eyed, "Mommy, I forgot not to be naughty. I talked to God about it. I didn't mean to be."

How can you stay mad at that????

Zachariah

Eszter (out of nowhere, during dinner): I was reminded, the angels in my good dreams told me I am going to be a pastor.
Then we asked if she was going to be a kids pastor, or a music pastor, or a main pastor. She said she was going to be a main pastor. Then she just started saying, "Zachariah" a bunch of times. What is she a prophet??? Zachariah prophesied of the coming Messiah and that there would be difficult times before He comes. We have no idea who told her about Zachariah.

Then, the next night at bedtime, I was reading her her stories and then praying with her. She stopped me in the middle of the prayer when I prayed we would know Jesus more. She said, "I know Jesus." I asked her who Jesus was. "Jesus is God's Son. He's God." I asked what did He do? "He was born to Mary and Joseph. He was a baby." Then what happened? "Soldiers killed Him on the cross and He died." Why did He die? "So we could know Him forever." Then what happened? "The tomb was empty. He wasn't dead anymore." Eszter, Jesus died so that we could know Him and grow to be like Him and love each other and take care of each other. Do you want to grow up to be more like Jesus? "Yeah." Do you want to pray to God about it? "You can do it." Eszter, that's only a prayer that you can do for yourself. I can't do it for you. "I'm not ready yet." "Mommie, can you tell me more about the empty tomb?"