Natalisms

Natalie has yet again hit an interesting stage in her childhood development. She is asking a lot of questions these days on top of her non-stop talking personality. Sometimes I have to turn around and take a deep breath because I just want to say, "I don't know! Stop talking to me!" haha But I obviously don't and couldn't ever. This new curiosity and new insight in her little world has her saying some pretty clever and cute things that I want to document.


-While trying to stall having to go to bed, even though we had already put her to bed, Natalie walks into our room and in her sweet little girl voice that Dad can never deny she says, "But Dad tell me about your day. What did you do at work today?"

-During Marisa's eye exam at the optometrist, Natalie noticed that her big sister wasn't able to identify the letters. (Obviously Marisa didn't have her glasses on and Natalie has fine vision.) So to help a sista out she leans forward and loudly whispers, "Effffff!!!" (The letter was "F")

-For whatever reason Natalie has been forgetting how to start and end her prayers. One night she was way off. She started:

Dear Jesus Christ, I wish...

Me: "Uh, no, no, no, no! Stop right there and start all over! Let's try, Dear Heavenly Father, I'm thankful for..."

-I estimated wrong how much I needed to turn while doing a U-turn at a tight intersection. I totally hit the curb which caused the van to make a big bump and jolt. Natalie in her sweet voice from the back asked, "Mom...did we just kill someone???"

-While Natalie and Darren were both trying to sit on Tim's lap at the dinner table, Tim said, "Whoa, I can't fit both of you on my lap." Natalie then sharply stares at Tim and sternly says, "Pick one!" haha Talk about pressure on picking your favorite kid!

-I asked Natalie why certain toys weren't picked up when I had already asked her to awhile ago. Her clever response back was, "Maybe it was the mean guy."
"Mean guy?"
"Yeah the mean guy...you know...Satan."

Because of Him

This Easter for some reason I have been extra sensitive of my testimony on my Savior. I love the church's new viral video Because of Him. I can't help but be grateful for my testimony of what I know to be true because of Him. It is because of Him I have peace in my life. It is because of Him I know who I am, I know where I am going, I know I am never alone, I know I am loved.

It is because of Him I am married to my lovely husband forever. It is because of Him I am able to have 3 1/2 children so far and have them forever too! My heart fills with gratitude and love for my children everyday. What blessings and little angels they are! They certainly fill my home with such a sweet spirit.

I know that my Redeemer lives. He is ever so mindful of us. He is personal.

May we remember Him always and Happy Easter from the Harts!

seven

7 years ago today, I became a mother for the first time. I became a mother to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I became a mother to a sweet, thoughtful, special little girl. My Marisa is a beautiful young lady inside and out. She is incredibly intelligent and diligent. She has a natural light of happiness about her. She always wants to do what is right. And I am so blessed she is mine.

 

Happy 7th Birthday Marisa!!!

My American girl

To celebrate her birthday, Marisa chose to go to The American Girl Store and get her first American Girl doll! By the looks of the picture she was just a *little* bit excited. ;)

A couple weeks out from her birthday she would walk up to the calendar on our fridge and count down to this day. She would even wake up and tell me before I got out of bed or before breakfast how many days left until she got her doll. She would also look everyday at her American Girl magazine and in advance picked out what doll she wanted, the name of her doll, the doll's outfit and accessories, and the doll's pet.
I love her enthusiasim! That extra sparkle to her sweet little girl innocence made me wish I was a little girl again!

It didn't take long once the doors opened to dash in there and grab exactly what she had previously decided to get. No hesitations, no second thoughts, no deviation from her list.

I had made reservations to eat at the cafe for her birthday lunch with Grandma, me, Natalie, and of course, Marisa, and it was probably the cutest thing I have ever done. The cafe decor consisted of pink, black, and white, fancy seating and chandeliers, and dressed up waiters ready to cater to every little girl and their doll

(Natalie didn't have a doll but the cafe had a wall of extra dolls for girls to borrow during lunch. How thoughtful! So I loved that Natalie got to participate in the excitement.) Each doll was personally given a seat at the table and even served a pink plate and tiny white cup. Because they too have appetites you know. 

Our meal consisted of a warm welcome of cinnamon buns, a first course, the entree, and finally dessert. The details of everything had the little girl in me squealing with joy!

Everyone, meet Maria!

Jog-a-thon

We turned Marisa's first school jog-a-thon into a family event this morning as we all arrived ready to cheer on our girl! Marisa was genuinely excited to have us there and to run her little heart out!

Marisa with her best friend Katya, ready to run!

Go Purple Team!

Marisa stopped to tell me she ran 8 laps so far. She did a total of 20!

Must end all the jogging with a class group shot! Oh, to be in first grade again!