Pleasant surprises tonight

(Derek typing... finally)

Friends and family, thanks for visiting our blog to try and keep up with what is happening in our world. I'd much prefer to catch up over coffee (or boba tea), but sometimes we just have to do what works. I've been awful at posting entries, but am quite thankful Lena is consistent.

The other day Karis was being quiet while Lena and I were in the kitchen. I stepped out to see what she was doing, and saw her sitting next to the book shelf on the floor with a box of facial tissue. The tissues were supposed to be out of her reach.... I instantly shouted, "Karis, no!" and ran in to sweep her away. Afterall, she could have been victim to multiple paper cuts (I hear that there are microscopic paper particles in facial tissues) or possible suffocation as that pile of tissues removed the box was nearly as tall as Karis sitting down. Okay, okay, I wasn't concerned for Karis' safety. It was my gut instinct in stopping her from doing something wrong.

After about an hour of feeling distanced from both Lena and Karis, Lena made an astute comment about Karis not knowing it was wrong to remove the tissues from the box. So I pulled my daughter in close, looked her in the eyes, and then asked for forgiveness. I'm seeing that ugly side of me that catastrophizes. Upon first seeing Karis next to the pile of tissues, why couldn't I have turned back into the kitchen to laugh and invite Lena to witness? I am imperfect. Hoping I can work on that negative reaction quite a bit and soon. I can get better and I love that God is using my wife to be the voice to help me recognize and improve.

On a high note, Lena is away at a retreat. No, that isn't the high note. But my time today with Karis was fabulous. As I was talking with my sister on the phone tonight, Karis picked up one of her favorite books (yes, it's about dogs) that I often read to her. She made a long, drawn out noise while holding the book. I was wondering what she was doing when it dawned on me.... She had open the page where 9 dogs were sitting in the dark looking up at the moon while one howls "AAAAA-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." (She likes it when I do the howling when I read it.) Then I realized she was howling! I am never cease to be amazed at what she is learning. She doesn't talk much outside of "momma" and "dadda" other than grunts. So I was quite impressed that she knew what page she was on in the book and that she made such a great howling sound.

Then as she was finishing her nighttime bottle and I was holding her across my lap in my arms, I told her it was time to say night night prayers. She immediately put her hands together as if to pray. She'll do that sometimes at dinner after she sees us do it but typically loses interest and stops shortly thereafter. She kept her hands together tonight, so I kept praying. =)

Digging this stage where she is better able to express herself.

Hope to post pictures of Karis' little sister very soon.