Nothing at all and Everything at once

We are busily preparing for some more company this weekend. Nate and Julie are coming to visit and we are anxious for their arrival. Not only are they some of the coolest people BUT they come bearing gifts! Namely, our PUPPY!! They have been caring for the little gal since they picked it up on Sunday. I hope she doesn't miss them when they leave. We still haven't decided on a name-and every time we ask Corynn she says she doesn't WANT it to have a name. She says, "No Mama! It's a dog!" As if having a name would replace it being a dog...silly child. Anyway-thank you Jean for giving us this puppy! It is a MOST precious gift!

Speaking of Corynn...she about broke my heart yesterday. After finishing on the potty, I was praising her for doing such a good job keeping her 'big girl' panties dry. And do you know what she said to me? She said, "Mama. I don't love you anymore." I could have cried right then and there! I know that she didn't MEAN it-goodness, she says she LOVES the mailman. And it wasn't due to any punishment or anything! I think she was just looking for a reaction. And she got one. We then had a converstaion about saying things in kindness and NEVER saying things in order to hurt people. And NEVER speaking to your parents that way because it is disrespectful. I think the saddest part of it all is that my sweet little girl is old enough to realize that some things are NOT nice to say, but she is willing to say them anyway for a reaction-at the expense of someone's feelings. She is human and I have to remember she is not an exception to the depravity of man. I am not ready for these 'grown up' issues. I can deal so much better with the 'don't touch this' and 'don't do that' superficial issues of a toddler.

Yesterday, Corynn and I finished the vegetable garden as we planted the beans. We had soaked them ovenight to speed up germination. As we planted I told Corynn the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. It is a true gift, to tell stories in the oral tradition, and sadly, one that I don't possess. It made me think back to my childhood when my Opa (grandfather) would always be sharing stories with us. He is such a wonderful story teller... weaving the webs of words with such ease, captivating us with stories he had made up himself or the adventures of his younger years. Whether sitting in a chair or walking down the lane, he always had a captivated audience. And he was not bound by the words on a page.

Well, there is much to be done before our company arrives tomorrow. In the house, in the kitchen, and outside. Tonight I am getting my herb dirt (Matt promised!) and we are heading to Wegmans to get LOTS of strawberries. They are all on sale (two 16 oz. packages for $3.00) and so strawberry jam-making is on my to-do for this weekend! This is a good thing because last year's supply is down to a measly half-used pint! I would LOVE to go strawberry PICKING but as of yet, no such place has come under my radar.

Oh-two more little tidbits. We have bird families everywhere! The empty hummingbird nest is no longer empty. I saw a bird in it this morning-and quickly grabbed Corynn so we could watch the happenings. The sweet thing buried herself down so far into the belly of the nest that all you could see was the tail. I am not sure if it was a hummingbird though-but if it wasn't it was VERY small! And yesterday, an abandoned nest above the doorway to our garage had some new occupants as well! The bird startled me when it flew away. Of course, since there haven't been birds in it, I hadn't approached it quietly or with ease. I wasn't able to tell the type of bird, it flew so fast. Most likely a tufted titmouse, since they are EVERYWHERE! Corynn and I set out a birdfeeder close to the nest for some available snacking. We have been waiting for Matt to put up a pully system by our dining room window so we didn't bother putting one up before this. But with feathered inhabitants all around us, we might as well get one out-even if it isn't in the 'perfect' spot!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!