Bread and Butter

Is there anything better than warm, homemade bread generously slathered with butter? This was the thought on my mind this morning when I woke up, and so this is one of my favorite things that I will share with you this evening. I love homemade bread and butter. There is something just so elemental, so basic, and so fulfilling about sinking your teeth into a slice of warm and chewy homemade bread.

10 days left

That's right. I have 10 days left in my twenties. Wow.

So to build up to a bright and beautiful new decade, I will be posting random favorite things of mine. I say random, because I will simply post something that comes to my mind that I love. I don't have the mental space to do an actual top 10 favorites in my lifetime list. No, these will just be random favorites.

For today, I will give you some of my favorite lyrics to one of my favorite musicals (and favorite books) - Les Miserables. I fell in love with Les Mis when I was a teenager. I believe it was Heather who introduced me to the music. I then read and loved the book. My parents took me to see the musical in Cincinnati, and then when my family lived in Germany, we got to see it in London where we had really great seats. By the end, I was bawling. Jenny gave me the piano music for my birthday one year, and I spent many hours at the piano pretending I had the voice of Eponine or Cosette.These are lyrics from the finale: (you can watch the video if you click on the link)


CHORUS

Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.

For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.

They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!


I love these final lyrics because they are filled with such hope. There is such a wonderful feeling of redemption, strength, and unity. I love the image of people climbing to the light. Because aren't we all?

Good Times

I'm about to go to bed, but I can't quite yet because I don't want to forget two things about today.

The first is Sophie. We were talking about her friends. I was asking her who she liked playing with. Every time I'd mention someone, she'd say "no." Finally, I just said, "Who do you like playing with the most?" And she said, "Emmy." Later, when I told Emmy what Sophie said, her response, "Awww. That's so cute!" She was very happy to be loved.

And last, I'm tickled by a fun moment with Emmy. (I should be sure to record these, because she has been a difficult little four-year-old lately). We were sitting at the table eating clementines. She wanted us to both put our fingers in the middle of the clementine so that it looked a little like Jack Horner who pulled out the plum. She thought it would be hilarious if we showed our fingers to Matt and she was certain that he would think something was terribly wrong and insist on a quick trip to the hospital. So we sat there with the little oranges on our fingers, and I started singing a silly song about it to her, and something about my expression made her laugh. And her reaction to me made me laugh. And then, we were both just laughing and laughing. And by laughing, I mean, really truly laughing so hard that I could barely sing the song. Emmy thought it would be great if we could perform it for Matt. We tried unsuccessfully because we were laughing too much. I think Emmy was just so delighted to see me laugh so hard. The whole rest of the night, she'd say, "Mommy, let's do that part where we laugh again."

Torn

A rare moment

Emmy has never been a particularly cuddly child. When she was a baby, I longed for her to lay her head on my shoulder and I was envious when I saw other babies and toddlers curled up in their mommies' arms, sound asleep, during church.

Interestingly, as she has gotten older, Emmy seems to appreciate cuddling more than she used to. She loves to snuggle up with a blanket and watch a show or read a story together. When I put her to bed, she loves for me to lie next to her, and when I sing to her, she clutches me around the neck. I love these moments, and I always feel the need to savor them.

While Sophie naps in the afternoons, Emmy is often allowed to watch one or two TV shows while I take a quick nap in my room. (This has become somewhat of a necessity since this pregnancy has rendered me quite exhausted!) The other afternoon, I was turning on the TV for Emmy when she asked me to lay with her on the couch. I agreed, since she was so eager to be close to me. We snuggled up together, and started watching Barney. It didn't take long for me to start to nod off - probably less than a minute. The only problem was, that she needed to adjust herself every minute or less. She'd turn her head, which would make her hair brush across my face. She'd wiggle closer, or move her foot, or tell me to open my eyes to see something real quick, and then move her head again. I started to think that she couldn't even hold still for ten seconds! I decided to put my head on the opposite side of the couch, hoping she'd stay where she was. One minute later, her head was against my cheek. I asked her kindly to not move so much. I told her how tired I was. And she could NOT STOP moving!

I felt so torn! I was becoming increasingly annoyed with my sweet little girl who wanted to snuggle with me, and who really wasn't trying to be annoying! (And believe me, there are plenty of other times when her behavior really does warrant some distancing). I ended up toughing it out and just trying really hard not to feel frustrated. How many more quiet afternoons will I get to have with just her? Someday, perhaps I'll long to feel her sweetness close to me, wiggles included.

As I write about this now, it seems like such a tiny thing - how could I have even let myself be annoyed? But in my sleepy state, it felt hard. I think that's part of what being a mom is all about - many tiny moments that feel big. Tiny moments that add up to create a lasting impression. Tiny moments that just need a little perspective sometimes.

Cupcakes

OK, for all of you cupcake lovers out there - I made these cupcakes on Sunday and I thought they were absolutely delicious. They're about as basic as you can get: vanilla cake and vanilla frosting, but very moist and tasty! Here is the recipe~

Today

Today:
I woke up to the sound of poring rain. I longed to stay in bed and enjoy the gray light and the soothing patter above me.
Two adorable girls fought over who got to lay next to me on the couch.
I laughed when I said, "Look at those feet!" to Sophie while I was changing her diaper and she said, "My feet are pretty!"
Emmy and Sophie had the time of their lives playing in a gigantic puddle with their friends. By the end, all six little girls were naked and loving it.
I let Emmy watch too much TV.
I enjoyed Sophie laying her head on my shoulder after her nap.
I read "Emmy and the Fantastic Seahorse Race," "Who Pooped in Yosemite Park?" "Skippyjon Jones" twice, and "Where is Baby's Belly Button?"
I cleaned my kitchen until it was almost shiny. (It is so old and lived in that it will never really shine).
I enjoyed a quiet and peaceful lunch to myself.
I almost tore my hair out while Emmy raged in her room, not wanting to go to bed.
I found something that was lost.
I am happily enjoying the latest episode of LOST.
And that is all.

A Reminder

I was reminded of this quote by Minnie Louise Haskins today. You've probably heard it before, but it is always nice to hear these things again.

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"