Chloe's bedtime prayer

Tonight Chloe said quite an endearing prayer, and I wanted to share it.

"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this day.  We pray that we will sleep well tonight.  Please help Ryan and me to stop whining about every little thing; and help us to realize that it's not all about us.  And help mommy to finish her pictures soon, and help daddy's case to go well tomorrow.  Please bless everyone that's sick, that they will feel better.  And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Wow.  Two things are clear here.  She repeats what she hears, and she has a thoughtful heart.  What little girl would think to pray for such things?  She excluded no one in this prayer.  It was perfect, and so genuinely expressed.  It was hilarious to hear her say, "help Ryan and me to stop whining about every little thing, and help us to realize that it's not all about us."  That was definitely a repeat of what I often say to both of the kids when they're being self-centered and whiny.  It's so much funnier coming out of her mouth for some reason than it is mine, though.  :)

While Chloe has her fun challenges, I cannot deny her sweet and tender heart.  She tries so hard to do the right things.  She falls short at times and acts out on instinct, whines, pouts, sasses, and argues, but it's when she says a prayer like this that I am reassured we're getting somewhere.  She's learning to think of others before herself; she's trying to be a good girl; and she's recognizing that she needs help and guidance from above in order to do so. 

I was very humbled by her prayer tonight.  She is quite the special little thing.  And she'll be finished with kindergarten in less than a month!  Arrrgh!

Funny Chloe and a Happy Easter!

We had a really nice Easter weekend.  I have lots more pictures to share, which, ho hum, I'll get to eventually.  But for now, here's one of the kids that I took in the yard as soon as we got home from church. 

There is also a funny little conversation I'd like to quickly share, which was had only moments prior to this picture.  So, I'm a little bit of a picture-taking junkie.  Common knowledge.  My poor kids see a lot of the camera, and it isn't uncommon for them to roll their eyes or let out a groan as soon as I reach for it.  I keep telling them that they'll thank me someday, but so far they don't seem convinced.  :)  Anyway, in an attempt to prepare them for today's inevitable Easter-picture-in-their-Sunday-best-on-the-front-porch, I said to them as we drove home,

"Okay guys, I know this will be shocking, but I'd like to take a picture of you together when we get home before you change out of your church clothes, okay?"

Chloe, clearly not catching on to my sarcasm, matter of factly replied,

"That's not shocking!"  :)

Then, a little while later, as we rushed to eat lunch, clean up and gather our things so we could head to Pleasanton for Easter dinner and festivities, Chloe said with a groan,

"Sure is busy in this house!  You guys are busy eatin', I'm busy cleanin', and Ryan's busy doing nothin'." 
Man oh man, she is a sassy little spitfire.  Sure do love her. 

I hope you all had a wonderful and entertaining Easter.