Growin' up girl

It's happening. She's growing up. Princess daughter warms my heart most days now. We've had some great conversations lately as we've read the Americal Girl Kit books and discussed what a "Depression" is (hmmm...), what it means to be poor, the importance/unimportance of money, and taking personal responsibility for actions and decisions.

And the values we've been talking about and "enforcing" - and reinforcing - over the years show glimmers of paying off. Princess daughter was chosen for "Hot Seat" the other day. That's where everyone in the room says one positive thing about the person chosen for the "hot seat." Princess daughter was very upset that only three children said something about her personality. "Most of them said something about my clothes or my hair. Who cares about that?! I want to hear about my personality!" She exclaimed. Wow! I had to do a quick check and make sure she was still five.

For many reasons, last summer we moved from a more urban area to a more suburban neighborhood. This move meant Princess daughter could attend public school, which meant classes with more population diversity. I am heartened to see her hug children of various ethnic backgrounds and races without a second thought that they don't look like her ("no one looks the same!" I've heard her say). She talks about the beauty of her friends' skin ("it's like they have a beautiful suntan all the time!" she exclaims in wonder). And she tells me about playing soccer with the boy in her class with special needs because "he can't throw very well, but he is a great kicker, and everyone else likes to throw."

She's not perfect, she's human. But the next time someone says "grow up! Stop acting like a child!" I'll wonder if that's so bad.

Talkin' to myself

I'm in a women's Bible study that is doing an interesting study about what we say to ourselves, how damaging (or encouraging) that can be, and the scriptural things with which we should replace those thoughts.

I have never studied self-talk, or even thought about, how damaging it can be. As the author puts it, it can even determine your "destiny," so to speak.

The book we're using is "Self Talk, Soul Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild. We're just getting started, but already, it has opened the door for great group discussion and great personal reflection. Jennifer has been blind since she was 15. We all struggle with negative self-talk, but I would think a physical challenge such as losing your sight would magnify the amount and level of negativity one might heap on herself. So Jennifer's insights are particularly compelling in light of knowing her challenge.

I suspect a lot of women could benefit from the lessons to be learned in this book.

54 hours and counting

So "30 Rock" stole the Emmys from my show. Oh well, everyone deserves ONE year of recognition.

Thursday is the start of season 5 of The Office and I couldn't be more excited. I've already planned Princess daughter's bedtime (7:40 PM Eastern time so I don't miss the "9/8 Central" start time - they always say that part so fast, you can never too be careful).

You can spot the other Office junkies, too - they're the ones eating jello, nodding their noggins like bobbleheads, donating to the "end rabies" walks, counting their Shrutebucks - all in anticipation of the new season. Writers, you better not mess it up like last year!

(Spoiler alert) I've already heard a few items planned for this season - the Office staff losing weight, confessions of ethical misconduct in the office, Meredith experiencing a natural disaster, Pam meeting Jim's look-alike brothers, an engagement.

Once again, Thursday is the night for smart, funny TV. Yay, summer's over!

She's Really Six

Drawing by Princess daughter

We found out about Princess daughter on the one-year anniversary of September 11. In our family, it has become a little light of hope on that saddest of anniversaries - that even as evil takes lives, God is in control, healing, restoring and giving life.

We've been talking with Princess daughter a lot lately about that time before she entered the world, while she was still in my tummy. Those six years ago are starting to get fuzzy for me, which is one reason I'm glad I kept a journal during my pregnancy. At times, I go back and look at it. It is amazing to see how the things I recorded about her activity, particularly in late pregnancy, completely fit what we now know to be her personality.

Take the chocolate cake incident, when I ate a BIG piece of homemade chocolate cake before a doctor's appointment. When they hooked up the baby heart monitor to check on her, she was doing somersaults. They were so worried about her level of activity, they sent me to the hospital to be monitored for awhile. To this day, the kid can hear me whisper "chocolate cake" across a concert hall filled with musicians playing Beethoven's Fifth.

And don't forget about the party girl persona. While on bedrest, I had several visits from relatives and girlfriends. At most of these occasions, there seemed to be a lot of laughter, which got this kid kicking and jumping and hiccuping! Everyday she is full of laughter and silliness, and is always on the lookout for a good party.

You're one kid who is full of life. Happy 6th birthday, Olivia.

Our Own Discovery Channel (Photos taken by 5-year-old Princess daughter)