After having just turned five, I am shocked at how fast Esther is growing up. She went from my little 3-4 year old who played only with her brothers to this little diva who goes to school and comes home with playground drama.

This school year Esther has a friend she just loves to play with every recess. Apparently last week Esther and her friend had a run-in with another girl who was not so nice. Esther knew this other girl from summer sports. At recess, this girl told Esther she wasn’t allowed to play with them. When Esther stood up for herself and re-established their link from the summer, this girl reluctantly allowed her to play but then turned on Esther’s friend. Said she couldn’t play because she wasn’t their friend.

Then, Esther stood up for her friend too. Said that she should be allowed to play because she was her friend and besides it was important to include others. Apparently that was enough to sway the team because they were both allowed to join the game and play. When she told me this story I was so proud of my little girl.

I have spent time teaching her the importance of including others and standing up for herself. Standing up for her friends and siblings too. So when I heard this story I was so proud of my girl and a little taken back at how fast she is growing up.

When did she become so mature? When did we move from living room fights with her brothers to playground drama with mean girls? I best put my big-girl panties on because there is no going back. It has begun.

Pray for them

Fear is such a liar. Let us stop wasting our lives in fear of things we cannot know, cannot control and cannot prepare for. Find rest in the Lord and fear only Him who understands it all, sees it all and holds it all in his hands.

Father, may (Name) never fear anything or anyone but you. When fear seeks to take hold of (Name), I pray (he/she) will seek you and find deliverance. Just as David did, may (Name) also boldly testify, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. – Psalm 34:4-5

Sugar Cookies

These are the thin, decorating cookies that are so good at Christmas time. My Aunt Marsha gave this recipe to me when I was 12 for my birthday. And yes, I still have the 1997 shiny new penny she laminated with that recipe for my birthday too.

• 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup Lard
• 1 Egg
• 2 1/2 cups Flour
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. Blend butter, lard, sugar, egg, vanilla and milk until creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Divide dough into two sections and roll into large balls. Refrigerate for an hour or more until dough is stiff.

If you don’t want to decorate them or cut them out, just make them into single cookie size balls and roll them in sugar. Smash with a flat glass and bake. If you do want to decorate them, skip this step and go to the next.

Dust the counter top with flour and roll out the ball of cookie dough into 1/3 inch thick. Cut cookies into shapes and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with sprinkled sugar now if you want it baked on. Bake for 7-9 minutes until slightly browned around the edges. Let cool and decorate.