Day Sixteen - The Bug

I'm sure almost everyone has already decided that this post has something to do with finding a bug in our home and squashing it, or at least something related to an insect.  Well, there was a rather large cricket that surprised Bekah in the garage tonight.  She said, "Cricket!" and I immediately jumped into action and squished the life out of the poor little cricket.  But that is not what I am writing about tonight.  Tonight, I am writing about my little girl, E.  I have been calling her "Bug" since she was a little baby.  E Bug, Bug, or The Bug.  No she does not look like a bug.  No she doesn't act like a bug.  She is just my cute little girl who I affectionately call E Bug.  Her brother is "Bud" and sometime I'll have to write a post about him.

So tonight, it is very late (as usual) for me to be writing my entry.  I need to be in bed.  I have a men's conference at church as well as a quick family trip to see friends and family.  It will be a long day.  E has decided that she just isn't tired.  Since she shares a room with her nine month old brother, we can't leave her in there to wake him.  So she read books for a little bit in the recliner, and then joined me in my room.  "Will you read the sleepy sleepy book (So Sleepy Story - Uri Shulevitz)?" E asks.  I knew I needed to be blogging, but there are two things that went through my head (and my heart).  One, I want E to fall in love with books.  I want her to love reading.  It is becoming more and more rare to find kids who would rather read than watch TV.  The second thing is that I want to spend time with her.  She is already four, and I feel like it was just yesterday that she was ten minutes old and I was using FaceTime to show her off to my mom and dad.  So I spent time with her.  We read, reorganized the apps (90% hers) on my iPad, and then spent the rest of our time looking at pictures on my laptop.  We looked at some from when B was born, and some from when E was a baby.  

I treasure this time.  I love the way she lights up as each picture crosses the screen.  I can only imagine the way God gains pleasure in watching His children in their moments of joy.  It is moments like these that encourage me along my journey.  I know that losing weight doesn't guarantee me a long life.  God knows how long He has for me on this earth.  But if I don't do it, I know that I am only increasing my chances of not getting to see this little beauty grow up.  I also know that it limits my ability to enjoy and have fun with her.  I am excited about the energy and mobility that I will gain as I lose weight.  So tonight, I am reminded of my Bug, and it's for her that I am going to lose my butter half.

Eating today was good.  I was able to finish my calories around the 1500 mark, and got in a half hour on the bike.  Now for some good rest so I can get up early and join with brothers to learn more about my wonderful, merciful savior.