Lent

Tomorrow begins the season of Lent. Never before have I observed this practice, but this year I've decided that it would be a good thing to do. I don't mention this lightly, to show off, or throwing out a challenge. I share this - more than anything - because I believe that getting it "out there" will probably help keep me more accountable to persevere. It should be more than enough to know that I am making this committment before God, but I am not that strong. I can so easily rationalize anything that I desire.
With that said, I am committing to not eating sweets(cookies, doughnuts, cakes, chocolate, etc...)through the season of Lent. My prayer, as with any fast, is that it will draw me closer to our Lord - Who sacrificed more than I will ever comprehend, in order to give us sinful creatures, the opportunity to enjoy a relationship with our Creator. I know that it will not be out of my own strength to accomplish this!

little King Cakes

Mardi Gras is Tuesday. It seems to be a popular thing down here. You can find King Cakes in about every store. I decided to put a little twist on the idea. Not that I could have made a King Cake - I have quite a fear of making anything involving yeast - these are just sugar cookies with appropriately colored frosting. If you scroll down the link page, you can find the history of the cake.

Bathtime art

One of the things Matthew likes to do these days is "paint" in the bathtub. I buy that cheap shaving lotion(Barbasol) and spray some on the wall. He has a sponge paintbrush and he "paints" with the brush or does finger painting. It took him a few tries before he started enjoying it - but he asks for his "paint" now.

GO, COLTS!!

The Growing Tree project

Okay, so, I guess I should have just outlined his hands for this past Christmas, too. :o) Maybe next Christmas...............

Sleeping

Matthew likes to fall asleep these days with something on his head - either his Ellie or his little pillow. He must get that from his Grandma H.

He's also still getting up one or two times every night - :o( I've read that this is common in two year olds. Hopefully, this phase will end soon. Wouldn't be so bad if he would at least sleep past 6am. Doesn't seem to matter whether he goes to sleep at 7:30 or 9pm. Oh, well, the rites of passage, I guess. He's also got his two year molars coming in - I can't imagine that it's a pleasant expereince, either.

Pure sweetness!

When I got Matthew up from his nap today, I asked him to give me a kiss. He promptly kissed each cheek and then my lips. This was something he thought of - 'cause this is not one of our "things".

Lord, help me to remember these times of sweetness when Matthew is - ahem - not so sweet(and I'm probably not so sweet either in those times)!