Everybody Needs a Sam

Six years ago when we lived at King's, we started a small group Bible study for students in Rez. In our group was a first year student named Samantha. The next year she became one of our student leaders. And in the years that followed, Sam and I worked together on programs for Rez, planned worship together, and practiced our mad conversational Spanish skills together. When I was overdue with Laurel, Sam showed up at my house with the game Boggle and kept me occupied for an afternoon. I had the privilege of performing her wedding a year ago. And last fall, she started babysitting Laurel every week and quickly became one of Laurel's favorite people. When we moved Laurel into her big girl bed, and Laurel was struggling to adjust, Sam gave her a big girl pep talk and from that night on, Laurel went to sleep without issue in her new bed!

On Saturday, Sam's husband, Josh, left for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, and while he's away, we get to have Sam live with us. Josh tells us that he feels so much better being away knowing that Sam is staying with us. But, really, I think we are the ones who are benefiting the most from this situation. Sam volunteers to take Laurel to the park when she sees that I am needing to get something done (or even just needing some rest). She has already made us dinner twice (and she happens to be a really good cook). She told us to go out on a date night last night while she stayed with Laurel. And yesterday. Yesterday when I said I needed to get some cleaning done while Laurel napped, she cleaned with me! Not only did she clean with me, but she cleaned our bathroom and washed our windows. Seriously. Do you have a Sam? Because everyone needs a Sam. And the best part? The best part is that she is so easy to live with and fun to be around. So, welcome to our family, Sam!

And, on another note...these two girls are making me ridiculously happy these days...

Notice the pigtails? All of the sudden Laurel is asking for them AND sitting still while I put them in. A few months ago she would scream if I tried to give her pigtails!

Brynna's hair is still crazy curly when it's wet! She's starting to smile and look around a lot more now. Pretty fun!

And who wouldn't want to walk around in a diaper with a bucket on their head?