The Sweetest Sound

As I was walking up the stairs last night with clean PJ's for the girls, I heard giggles coming from one of the bedrooms. I stopped and listened for a moment, recognized Belle's voice, and was surprised to hear another hearty giggle echoing from the room. And I realized. It was Penelope! She and her sister were in stitches laughing as Annabella was doing a very silly bounce-onto-the bed-floppily sort of trick (something her mother would not have allowed to take place, but the girls were under the watchful eye of their father who is much more indulgent of such behavior). I had heard Penelope sort of hum a little laugh once or twice, but this was a fit of hilarious laughter. For the first time in her life. And it was something I could never have elicited from her. Apparently, at least as of this week, only her three year old sister has that gift. There they were, reveling in each other's company and silliness. Together. It took my breath away the way Jake's phone calls would when I was in the throws of falling in love, and I prayed the girls would always bring each other happiness and laughter in their companionship and play, that they would only try to bring joy to each other, and that they'd have the gift that I've been so blessed by--a sister that is a best friend.
I do hope to hear the melodies and harmonies of that laughter echoing off the walls of this house again. It was the sweetest music.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy.

JOB 8:21

Prayer Before Dinner on Monday Night

Dear Lord,

Thank you for my swimming lessons. And thank you for ... the fire from heaven. And thank you for the people ... of heaven. Dear God, thank you for everything.

Amen.

Beauteous Mae

I.

Love.

To.

Play.

With.

My.

Toes.

Bella Jane

...with the flowers she planted and picks for me every day.

...on the giraffe at the zoo.

...in my wedding gown that she's been begging to see.

Milestones All Around

Greetings from Joyland. And now a recap of the weeks' top news.

Penelope has been attempting to roll over by herself since we were in Canada. You may remember that I said she did it for the first time. I suppose this isn't entirely true. She was able to do it alone, but she would get stuck on the arm she was trying to go over. Well, today when she was doing her thing, I got the feeling it might be "the time." And sure enough, it was!

And that's not all Penelope has been up to. She's also cut her first tooth. (Yes, incase you were thinking it's a bit early, three months is early.) So, here's Mommy, hoping that she doesn't prematurely take up biting as well.

In other news, my sweet husband has taken his place among other performers, where he's wanted to be for a while. That's right, Jake is now the lead singer for a local classic rock cover band. He'll be rehersing on Thursday nights, doing weekend gigs, and I'm sure the outlet will be nothing but good for him. Now I just need to find a babysitter so I can go hear him sing...

We've decided that Annabella is going to start a little bit of HomePreSchooling. So I've bought a bunch of school supplies which excite her very much, and I'm still settling on exactly what this will consist of curricularly. I have been thinking that the little lady needs to be memorizing Scripture, so whatever else it entails, there will be some of that....and so much more, no doubt.

As for Mommy, I suppose it was inevitable, but I've reached my pre-preggy weight, so that's exciting for me at least. And Jake too, I suppose. Me, because I fit into all my clothes. And Jake because we don't have to buy me new ones.

Stay tuned for some yummy pictures! (of the girls, that is)