Intent on passing the blame for today’s bad behavior on someone else, Sarah is mumbling and grumbling to herself.  She sounds angry.  She just said, “We could have been good all of our lives and not ever gotten spankings if it weren’t for Adam and Eve letting sin into the world!”

No school today. That means it’s time to make a tutorial video…

How to make Ranchup. A tutorial by Jeremiah age 7. Video by Sarah age 6. Background noise by Mom age 31…

GPH Handbells

Sarah sharply saluted as she walked through the living room.

I asked her, “Sarah did you just salute?”
“Yes.”
“Who did you salute?”
“God.”
“You saluted God?! Why?”
“Just to be nice.”
“Um… OK.”

She walked to the fridge, got a drink out of her “HOOAH! It’s an Army Thing” water bottle, took a bite of Poptart then pranced back to her bedroom to play.

We cuddled early this morning.  My almost six year old daughter sighed happily and whispered, “one more day.”  I said, “Sarah, I’m sorry I don’t have the money to get you a birthday present… What am I going to do?”  She sweetly replied, “You already got me something.”  “What?” I asked.  With a tight hug, she whispered her reply, “Love.”

As we said our bedtime prayers, Sarah prayed, “And thank you for giving me a loving heart.” After her amen, I asked why she prayed that. Had she heard it somewhere? No, she said. “I just said it because he gave me a loving heart… he made me love you.” Then she kissed me on the cheek. Such a sweet girl.

Setting: The master bedroom door is locked.

Daughter: “Whine whine whine.” knock knock knock
Me: “Who is it?”

Daughter: “Mommy!!!”
Me: “Who is it?”

Daughter: “Momeeee!!!”
Me: “It can’t be Mommy, she’s in here. Who is it?”

Daughter: “It’s Sarah.”
Me: “Sarah, what do you need?”

Daughter: “I need Mommy!”
Me: “Try looking in your closet.”

Silence…I tell my husband, “I think I’ll be a little disappointed in her if she leaves.”
A minute passes… maybe two… followed by footsteps and a loud knock on the door.

Daughter: “YOU LIED TO ME!”