Can You Show Me Heaven On the Internet?
- September 21st, 2008 3:00 pm
I was sitting indian style in our yard the other day watching Allie. She was doing bouts of cartwheels while I observed, giggling at her and pondering how many bug bites I would receive from my short stay in the ridiculously green grass. Five. Five bug bites, which were well worth being her sole audience.
When Allie was a baby, I often wondered what she would be like when she could walk, talk, run, jump, flip, and laugh wholeheartedly. The answer is fabulous and tornado-like;serious yet hilarious;and everything that I could’ve ever wanted. Presently, the bulk of her time at home is spent finding a new way to make her body flip and new ways to make me laugh. Both amuse me terribly. The punchline to most of her jokes is ‘Yo Mama’. I know that in 15 years she will be one of those people who says, ‘that’s what she says’ after most statements. And I’m fine with that, because nothing makes me more happy than hearing her loud, belly laughs.
Speaking of laughter, she recently told me that she liked the way my laugh sounded. I was glad, because I spend a lot of time laughing. (Yet another thing for which I am eternally grateful.)
In other wordly events, she has recently decided that her cream colored walls need painted pink. Immediately. The totally pink transformation of doom must be accomplished “very soon” according to her.
On a recent shopping trip for fall shoes, she turned down all of them. She wants to wear flip flops forever, because her “toes do not like to be closed up”. Mine don’t either, but I kindly explained to her how necessary it was that her lovely pink toes didn’t freeze off. After all, if your toes freeze off, you won’t be able to paint your toenails. The idea of not having toenails to paint frightened her into finally picking out a pair of tennis shoes and some dressier closed toe shoes. Mostly, she worried about why the high heels didn’t come in her size.
She no longer allows me to take pictures of her doing normal things, rather she makes some strange pose. I still snap the photo, and I am always surprised at how well her strange pose turned out.
Her questions and thoughts go outside of the realm of clothing, colors, and laughter. She wants to discuss Heaven a lot lately. Where it is? Do I believe in it? What does it mean? Are all of the people that she knows in Heaven friends with one another? Does my grandmother keep Adam’s grandfather company? What do they eat in heaven, and how do you get there? Can I show her heaven on the internet, she asks.
“No,” I reply.
“Not even on youtube?”
“Not even on youtube.”
I consider taking her to Amazon.com and clicking books or the Shoes & Footwear portion of the Macy’s website, but I resist the urge. Serious questions often deserve serious answers, even if you are just three. Whether you are three or fifty-three, you more than likely deserve some sort of explanation. So we talk about Heaven for a while, and she falls asleep. Her red curls almost fade into the heartshaped pillow on which she insists to sleep, even if it is barely larger than her head.
The following morning I wake up to her poking me on the shoulder, cheek, and almost in the eye. Finally, I look over at her, “why are you still sleeping,” she asks in a whisper.
“I’m tired,” I reply.
“Well, come french braid my hair. Two braids, please,” she requests, smiling at me and hopping into the living room wearing only a pair of underwear likely adorned with a princess emblem.
And so I do. I walk into the living room to braid her hair, to make her breakfast, and to laugh at the morning cartoons with her.
Maybe I can’t show her heaven on the internet, but I can certainly show her what heaven on earth is for me.
September 21st, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
She is an amazing little girl.
Lovely photo – I love your photos!
Thanks for sharing.
Laura from the Finges last blog post..God Help Me
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September 21st, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
I can’t wait until Danger does more than cry! Three sounds like so much fun!
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September 21st, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
What a beautiful post about a beautiful little girl. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, one day, I may want a baby too.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
This was a really touching post. I love reading your sarcasm, but sometimes we just have to write a post like this. I can’t wait to have kids (though mine probably won’t have beautiful red curls, more like straight brown or blonde, oh well)!
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September 21st, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
That was a nice thing to read. I like that picture. It’s nice.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Well, this post was just PERFECTION! You can show her THAT on the Internet. Loved it! Such love and humor. Fabulousness.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
Written so beautifully!!! It just about sums up how precious both of my girls are and how much I truly love and appreciate them as well.
BTW I’m a redhead too. She reminds me of myself when I was little.
Thanks for sharing.
Mandys last blog post..Go Sadie Bug, It’s your Birthday!!!
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September 21st, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
FYI: You just did.
Shannons last blog post..What does it mean……
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
What a beautiful post. It’s amazing the questions kids ask with no guile or intent other than pure curiosity and a desire to know more about their world. When do we lose that? I hope Allie never does.
Dingos last blog post..Catatonia is not a Eastern European Country
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
She is so cute and three is such a funny age! I have a few pictures of Niecey making weird poses and silly faces for my camera at that age. I had to take the silly pictures if I wanted to get any “serious” ones, haha!
Karen
The Microblogologists last blog post..NukeDad is a Psychic
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
I just submitted this post to FiveStarFriday. It’s that good.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
This was wonderful.
Jenn @ Juggling Lifes last blog post..Hell Freezes Over
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
I am always amazed by my girls…We can try and imagine what it will be like when they grow and it never fails that they are all of it and so much more that we could never have imagined.
Love the photo!
~K
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September 21st, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
What a beautiful post darlin. And witchy is right. It’s perfectly lovely.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Very well said, or written I guess is the correct term, not that I have ever worried about terms or correctness for that matter. LOL! I was thinking show her a pan of chocolate brownies and a glass of milk!
Hopefully this post works. We’ll see.
The Farmers Wifes last blog post..Keepin’ It Real!
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
I like to think like the old Belinda Carlisle song, “Heaven is a place on Earth.” Your daughter with the beautiful red hair and the wonderful heart dress is rather a bit of heaven on Earth.
Mollys last blog post..And then some more…
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
When I grow up, I want to be the same kinda mommy you are, and have the same kinda sweet kid that you do
Jacklyns last blog post..EviosPrincess’ Xbox – Sep 21 2008
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Once in a while our children totally make you think, “why didn’t I do this before?!?” The other day for example, when my four year old son was brushing my hair and he said, “Mummy, you are the prettiest girl in the room!”.
I didn’t bother pointing out that I was the ONLY girl in the room! It still made me feel beautiful! -note to self, child is listening to Flight of the Conchords way too much!
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
What a nice post. Makes me want a kid. Almost.
Jen @ The Cubicle’s Backporchs last blog post..Friday Updates
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September 21st, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
aw that was such a sweet post! We’re just starting to get a taste of the ‘kid-ness’ of Maggie- how she’s not a baby anymore and really getting a personality and totally cracking us up. It’s The Most Fun we’ve ever had, for realz.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Awwww, loved this post….
She sounds like an adorable angel. Children’s antics are always the best.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
I need to learn how to french braid. And am totally not looking forward to these kinds of questions. Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, those I can handle – God, heaven…ugh.
Zoeyjanes last blog post..On control (in reverse)
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September 21st, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Your daughter is such a sweetheart… I love her thirst for knowledge about everything!
I love that photograph of her, as well. I am so in love with her red hair and am hoping my little girl has hair like that. I guess I should probably look into learning how to braid while I’m at it too, no?
Jessicas last blog post..My sense of humor..
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September 21st, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
I miss those days. You are a smart mommy to be treasuring them.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
I love the – Why are you still sleeping? question. And that she needs to have pink- very soon.
It gets even better. My oldest is almost 6 and I’m surprised at the social life so far. The more I relax and let her be who she is the happier she is.
Congrats on the MCAT scores.
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September 21st, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
Amanda, this is seriously a gorgeous piece of writing. How heartfelt and honest.
I absolutely love how you tied it all together . . . especially for her. She is so fortunate to have you! And I know you would say that you are forever fortunate to have her.
One day, you’ll read this to her . . .
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September 21st, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
Gah! This was just… perfect. Well done.
niks last blog post..Another “shot” at winning…
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September 21st, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
That was really sweet.
Unfortunately, boys don’t stay cuddly for long and all three of my boys are quick to be “grown-up” and independent. Boys or girls, the cuddling and hugs and kisses and sitting on your lap doesn’t last long… so it’s good that you’re enjoying it.
Meanwhile, I’m almost certain my kids think heaven on earth is Starbuck’s. It’s hard to argue with that.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 1:33 am
Sweet, sweet post. Thanks for sharing
.
Please tell your daughter that she created a little bit of heaven on the internet for us.
goodfathers last blog post..Blogging style
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 4:57 am
This is absolutely one of my favorite posts of yours.
My daughter frequently requests two braids, she calls them angel cake braids after the strawberry shortcake character.
She too, wanted a pink room. She got hers. Go reeeeeaaalllly light pink. A little goes a loooooooooooooooooooooooong way
Beautiful post hon.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 8:34 am
What a beautiful post. Sounds like you have an amazing little girl there with an amazing mum.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Beautiful Post!
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 10:26 am
It’s so lovely to read about a mother so in love with her child.
Everyone around me wants boys, wouldn’t dream of having girls, they’re so much drama, blah blah…but I want to show them this post and go, SEE? THIS is why I want a little girl. Great job..
Hope you have a great week ahead of you.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 10:44 am
I love this post! :0)
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Very sweet, I would like to find Heaven on You Tube, just to get a peek and feel a little more content.
Side note: Now that she’s in school, you know it’s not sitting indian style anymore. Hasn’t she told you what it’s called? Criss Cross Applesauce. It’s funny how stuff changes.
lisas last blog post..The Horror!
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
I agree, this was a lovely post. Sometimes I find it too hard to even begin expressing how I feel about my daughter… so I’m waiting for the day that she says things like this to make me reflect and force me to face the vast, unending THING that is love. Have a great week… Thanks for the beautiful words!
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Oh gosh… I really, really want a daughter now. ARGH!
Michelles last blog post..My ego is swelling
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
What a wonderful pice of writing and what a wonderful relationship it describes. The two of you are very lucky to have each other.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Thanks m’dear! It worked, on my site, hopefully it will work on yours too!
YAY for Gravatar.com
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
This is a beautiful post, Amanda; your words are SO perfect.
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
I love your posts about how you adore your daughter…they are so touching!
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
This is a beautiful post. You have a lot of love for your daughter and just enjoying life and is so evident in your writings. It’s wonderful!
Liz Remuss last blog post.."Through Fire and Flames"
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September 22nd, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
Incredibly sweet!
And very relatable.
Mandys last blog post..Obsess much?
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 4:19 am
What a lovely post. I love your writing.
dysfunctional moms last blog post..Friday Foto Finish Fiesta ~ Found!
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 7:45 am
They are just sooooo cute at that age. I love asking them questions back just to hear how they explain the world. Allie sounds like she’s got a lot of it figured out!
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Perfectly executed post.
Well written and heartfelt. Neither are easy to acheive.
bravo.
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
That’s the best post I’ve read all day! Simply lovely.
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
The Farmers Wife,
I am so glad you are finally able to comment again!
-Amanda
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September 23rd, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
Colleen-
Thank you so much.
-Amanda
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September 29th, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
What a lovely post. I love that she asked you to braid her hair in her underwear. I bet she is a doll.
The Benevolent Dictators last blog post..Typical Utah Sunday Afternoon
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October 2nd, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
That was sweet. And beautiful. And thoughtful.
I just loved it.
Thanks so much for linking!
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October 12th, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
your daughter is a trip, and i love how this post reveals the beauty in your relationship. i can’t wait to hear what my little one come up with (she’s not-quite-one.)
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