A Flash of September

I can't believe it is almost October! Wow! Z is almost 14 months. What a champ. Life with z is... chatty! The girl talks almost non stop. We catch very little of what she is saying, but some things she can say with utmost clarity would be: dog, bubble and no.

Oh, the no. She learned to say this word about a week ago. I feel like our life will never be the same. Somedays, everything is no. Somedays everything is no while kicking her feet and screaming. An interesting development. I'm praying for extra grace. I read something in a book lately about how we can't expect our children to be perfect, because we aren't perfect. On days when she is really unruly I get so frustrated with her and don't understand why she can't just act like the normal, sweet, affectionate chicken I know she is. But then I think - how many days am I cranky or tired or straight up rude to Matt... I can't expect z to be on her A game every day and I ought to offer her lots of mercy. At least I have words to put to my emotions - the only one she has is no, so I ought to just cover this portion of her life with more love and acceptance.

We went on the college retreat which was so wonderful! She did great waltzing around the old creepy house and land that we go to and she was so tired that she barely protested falling asleep at night. She didn't get to take a nap there on Saturday, but still acted like a champ. So many of the students kept commenting on how she never cries -- she really is a pretty happy go lucky little toddler. And, she loves people!

Here is a sneak peak for her Halloween costume. Since our church isn't doing their normal carnival, we'll be hitting the streets with our 3rd floor neighbors and their nephew. Wagon style. Think, fairy princess:

Thank you goodwill. Total spent: $6.50. (Those wings were 99c! I wasn't going to buy anything but wings, but thought this dress would do well in a dress up box later down the road...)