KFC, boots, baths and books

Aunt Lisa is clamoring for some new Lily photos, and these we just took today! On hot days like this one, Lily loves getting her morning bath outside, which frequently includes washing rocks, splashing Mommy and rocking her toy hippo to sleep.

Following her bath, some friends brought us lunch, so I handed Lily her beloved chicken leg. In two seconds, she had run inside with her chicken leg, and I found her sitting in this basket, saying "bwak, bwak" (her chicken noise) and chowing down. Assuming this is Lily's version of KFC's bucket of chicken.

This morning while mommy read her Bible, poppy and Lily had some good story time (contrary to what the all these pictures show, Lily DOES wear clothes. Sometimes.

Playing with Joe and the hamper....
who later contributed to her shoe fettish

WHAT could be more fun...

Than a box full of packing peanuts and a pair of Mommy's underwear???

NEVER thought a picture of my underwear would be online, but this is just too cute. Lily helped me take in all the clean laundry yesterday, and then proceeded to try on Mommy's clothes, finally settling on a pair of underwear, which she was sure was some kind of very-special-leotard. SHE WOULD NOT TAKE IT OFF, and wore it the rest of the afternoon, dancing in circles, admiring herself in the mirror, and posing while I took her picture. (she may very well be quite angry about this post later :)

A shipment of laptops for the Seminary has given Lily a weeks worth of entertainment, as she, kitty and Elmo take turns playing in the "snow."

Lil has also learned how to con visitors into pulling her around on her "moto" (Creole for motorcycle) .

Lily is talking more and more everyday, and it brings me such joy to start hearing her talk about Jesus and see her expect Him to be a steady part of her day. As soon as we sit down at the table she grabs your hand and stares at her lap until you pray, and joins in a hearty "Amen!" Each time she suffers a boo-boo, she immediately pulls your hand over the wound and says, "Jesus?" so that we can pray, "Jesus, please heal this boo-boo, Amen!"

After her stories in the evening, she says again, "pray?" and we thank the Lord for her friends and family, kitty and doggie, and ask for His presence in her life. She rarely makes a sound during these prayers, and seems to understand that something special is happening each time we call out to the Lord...It's such an exciting thing to see...We have known her to be His for a long time now, but she is starting to know she is His, too.

Hopefully, her underwear dances and packing peanuts bring Him joy, as well!

little miss dress up...and her sidekick

Pray for this poor cat...

...who has never been so loved, nor so abused, in his entire life. She drug the poor thing around the house all day today, until he finally hid under the bed until her bedtime tonight. "KITTY!" she screams :) I do feel bad for the poor thing, who didn't sign up to be the community Welcome Back gift, but it is so fun to watch Lily so happy!

Lily is happy to be home, enjoying "Maxi and Aboo", kitty, Shay, all her shoes that she forgot about, and chomping on ice with Gertha, their favorite snack.

The heat and a cold, however, have her a bit cranky, and today following some open defiance involving kitty litter, she received a spanking and sat in the "time out corner." She didn't cry, but just sat there angrily. When she realized that she would be sitting there for a while, she began to pout, and called out loudly, "AUNT LISA! LEEEESSAAAAAA! Please? Aunt Lisa?"

It was so sad :( And, it did not work :)

Her best time though, was holding baby Wedensis today...she was ENAMORED, smothering her with kissed, patting her hair, and grinning, "Baby! BABY!" so cute...

lily: world traveler

She spent HOURS in the car this summer, most often quite content...





This little miss has had such a good summer, full of all the "normal" delights of childhood...swimming pools, good friends, ice cream, play grounds, running around the toy aisle at Wal-Mart, watermelon, chasing the cat, Sesame Street, late bed times and glorious time with family. We are so thankful for such naturally happy spirited little one, and all the joy and laughter she brings...

God has truly given us a gift in her! I am anxious to see whether she remembers home...

Happy Birthday Nico!

Today, this is Lily AND Nico's blog. Lily had a wonderful time yesterday celebrating "Happy Nico Baby!" at his first b-day party! She loves her cousin! All day today she has been calling "GEEKO!" but can't find him. We're so thankful these two have each other and have gotten along so well these weeks, and that Lily has enjoyed Uncle Casey, Aunt Laura, Grammy and Pop Pop so much, too.