Wednesday, January 27, 2010

What Has She Said to You Lately?

I love to hear the things that children say. If you really listen, it's astounding how simple life becomes--after being filtered through their little minds. These are a handful of the things that have come out of Pace's mouth lately, that made us laugh.I was trying to convince her to take a nap, and resorted to assuring her that, if she would lie quietly for twenty minutes, and still hadn't fallen asleep, I would come rescue her out of her bed.

Pace: Momma, how long is 20 minutes? Is it this many? She asks as she holds up all of her fingers and stretches them as wide as she can--as though that will make them more than 10.

Me: Nope, it's more than that.

Pace: Well then, how many fingers is 20 minutes?

I match my ten fingers to hers and lightly touch our fingertips.

Me: THIS is twenty fingers.

She smiles and, for a minute, I think she's got it.

Pace: Mom, you've got more fingers than me, so I can't go to sleep that long, unless I have you.We had a jar of Pace salsa on the table at dinner, when suddenly our Pace started screaming that her name was written right there on the bottle.

Jeremiah: Well, Pace, that is your name, but this bottle is talking about a different Pace. I bet the family who makes this salsa has the same name as you.

Pace (very matter-of-factly): There are other little girls named Natalie, and other little boys named Noah, but nobody else is named Pace.

Jeremiah (trying not to laugh his head off at our cocky 4 yr old): Well, Pace, there is somewhere.

Pace: Nuh-uh, and there's nobody named Maddox either!

Jeremiah: Actually, there are a lot of people named Maddox and some people named Pace too.

We are both outright laughing at her incredulity now.

Pace: Nuh-uh, y'all are just kiddin' me! I KNOW that isn't true, I'm the only one.

At least she's self-assured :)Jeremiah and I were having a serious discussion about some of the potential homes I'd found for us to rent in Seattle. I was laying out the pros and cons of each one (and trying to hold his attention, I might add) when another distraction entered our conversation.

Me: Jeremiah, there is only one bridge to that part of Seattle, and I'm worried that if there is a wreck on it, you won't be able to drive in to work.

Pace: Mommy and Daddy, if we can't take the bridge, we can just swing across. You know, like the monkey bars. Me and Dapples will just hold on to your backs. :)

Seattle, here we come! A whole family of monkeys.**Addition**

I meant to write one other thing that she said, and I forgot until something jogged my memory the other day. Soooo, I don't know if anybody will actually read this little addition, but I wanted it for our memory's sake.

Sometimes, Pace still makes comments about my Mom (who passed away 2 years ago) that blow me away. She was only two when Mom left us, and it's hard to know how much a 2 year old really remembers and how much is them just repeating things that they hear you say. This was so obviously her own personal remembrance, that it makes me happy:

Mom's favorites chips were Cape Cod, Salt and Vinegar. You know the kind that are "kettle cooked" and extra crunchy. With two little ones being the primary consumers of chips in our house (who in the world am I kidding by that statement?!), I tend more towards cheese flavored items than the bitter tang of salt and vinegar. However, as I passed these at the store this past week, they called my name loudly enough that I went ahead and grabbed a bag. I did smile a little to myself at the thought of these being Mom's particular favorite, but I certainly didn't say anything out loud.

The next day at lunch, Pace was insistent that she wanted to try some of MY chips with her peanut butter and jelly, and, to my great surprise, she loved them. After a few chips she turned to me and said, "Mommy, this is a lunch just like Bebe used to make me!" And she, and that brilliant little sponge-mind of hers, were exactly right. Oh how bad I wish we could still share a PBJ and some kettle-cooked chips.

12 comments:

Brooke said...

I love the Seattle conversation....priceless!!! :)

Courtney said...

Abby! Don't know if you remember me from your visit in Jackson, MS - Courtney Wells...Anyway, I stumbled onto your blog through my friend from college Christine. It took me a second - I was like why is she so familiar to me - HA! Your girls are precious and it looks like you guys are doing great! So what I gathered was you are about to move for fellowship? Michael did a year of fellowship in Columbus Ohio and it FLEW by! It will be over before you know it. He has been practicing for almost two years now...there is light at the end of the tunnel:) Just wanted to say hi and I am so glad I can keep up with you on your blog. I have one as well - haven't been too good at keeping it up these past few weeks though! Take care!

Ivy said...

Of course you would just swing across the water! Ha! So cute! Good luck house hunting:)

The Jernigan's said...

SOOOOO cute!!!

Denise said...

Hilarious. She is adorable. Oh and you are hilarious...I think your spray tan looks awesome and I would get one except I'm not brave enough to squat in front of a stranger and I am jealous that you are. (:

Kat said...

Hilarious! You could definitely save money on gas by using the Monkey Bars. Good for the environment and your biceps.

kendall Boggs said...

Oh Abby! Those are my all time favorite chips!!! They didn't even make those growing up with your mom, but I used to make her a salad almost every day after school and I was heavy on the vinegar so it's no surprise. I miss her and think about your mom every day. Have a wonderful day and please keep in touch!
I love you sweetie!
k

Alexis said...

Hey girl! I love reading your blog. I'm writing to get your advice:) I'm just starting a running program with a goal of running my first 5k in a couple of months. I need to purchase good running shoes. Do you have any recommendations?

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Precious- and so sweet that she has those memories of your mom.

Konie said...

Abby,
I'm just now reading your addition! I'm not surprised at all that Pace remembered the PBJ and CHIPS meals with Becky. I think she is so smart! I've told that to Ken! I'm thankful for you that she has that memory of Bebe :))))

Debbie Douglass said...

Abby, how beautiful to hear your sweet baby with such precious memories of Becky...I can't imagine how that must have touched your heart..your girls are precious and I know Becky must be smiling on them from Heaven...thank you for sharing these precious times with us..since our families are so far apart and so large, it is difficult to catch up..you have a true gift. I saw the book you made for Aunt Runell about your mom and it was such a beautiful gift...I am glad she shared it with us...you have a great gift...thanks for sharing!!
Love,
Debbie

Rosita Designs said...

if you're talking about west seattle, you'll love it! even if you have to swing like monkeys to get here.