Arabella Growls & We Laugh

I don't know how this stuff happens.  I was just lucky enough to have my camera on hand when it started.

I think the "grrrr" began as an attempt to fall asleep on our latest road trip, but turned into amusement for the rest of us.  

Man, I love this girl.  Isn't she the funniest, prettiest, and smartest little girl you've ever seen?  Oh, is that just a mommy thing?  Oh, okay. 

Can Moms Have Favorites?

I've been asking this question a lot lately, "Can moms have favorites?"

I'm pretty sure I'm correct in saying...

YES!  

Me and my daughters, Adalyn (4yo) and Arabella (1yo)

I think parents love their children equally but enjoy them on different levels, thus creating the "favorite" child. 

When I was pregnant with my second child I remember telling my husband, Warren, that we had made a mistake by getting pregnant again.  I knew - without any doubt - that I would never love the unborn child as much as I loved Adalyn.  I made Warren cry by saying this, but it had to be said.  I was afraid that if I had to choose between them, well, I would never choose the second child.  Adalyn was my world!

This picture was taken when I was pregnant with Arabella.  Adalyn is 2 years old here.

Needless to say, I was dead wrong about that!  I love, love, love my baby Arabella.  I don't love her more than Adalyn.  No, of course I couldn't love one more than the other!  But I do enjoy Arabella more than Adalyn right now.  Arabella is almost 2 years old and she is so much fun!  She's learning new words every day.  She's so stinkin' funny and has the coolest personality!  She's an awesome toddler!  

Me and my sweet Arabella

Adalyn is almost 5 years old and she needs a spanking BIG TIME!  She thinks she's the mom, the dad, the boss, the bread-winner, the head honcho.  (She's her Aunt Christa!)  So, you can see why I enjoy being around my baby more than my 4 year old - right now, anyway.  Of course, all of this will change as they (and I) get older.

Irony...Do you get my humor?

For those of you who question my logic about moms choosing favorites, let's break this down...

Dating back to Old Testament times (some-time B.C.), Jacob (Isreal) loved his youngest son, Joseph, the most of all his children.  The Bible says he loved him the most because he was his "son of old age."  I'm not making this up, I promise.

I'm certain that I am my mom's favorite child.  I am her youngest, most creative and talented daughter.  Of course she chose me as favorite!  But I believe she was dedicated to my middle sister, Katie, the most.  Katie got my parents' time and attention.  My oldest sister, Christa, definitely made my parents the proudest because she's the smartest and she'll die the richest because she's incredible good with money.  (Even though she has the most kids and keeps Walmart in business she always seems to have ga-gillions in her savings account.)

Me and my Mama

I think my husband's parents chose his brother, Taylor, as their favorite.  I have no evidence to back this up. Pure speculation.

My sister Katie only has one child so I'll have to use my other sister, Christa, as another example of a mother who has a favorite child.  When Christa only had two children, her favorite was Trevor (sorry Colton). When Christa had her latest child, Sophia, she became the favorite.  This fact is not disputed by anyone.  

Sophia

I'm sure someone will disagree with my "favoritism" theory, but I think it's pretty logical.  I know my place with my daughters and I can't love them more.  Anyhow, its just something that's been on my mind....whatever.

Trevor, Arabella, Colton, Sophia, Riley, Adalyn (Christmas 2012)

  

Praying for a Challenge...

Our family is very blessed.  Our family consists of a mother and father, who are both employed, and two healthy children.  We have a home and two vehicles.  We have a church family who loves dearly and demonstrates their love through God's ministries.  We have wonderful friends who put us before themselves and care for our children.  We have parents and grandparents who give of their time and money to support us whenever they can.  It's times like these that I realize just how blessed we really are.  I haven't done anything to deserve God's grace, yet He continually provides for us.  He showers us (yes, showers) until we are completely drenched in His love, mercy, and grace.  We don't deserve it.  We haven't earned it.  In fact, we can't earn it. 

My mind can understand it.  He's God!  Why would he be so kind to us?  He knows we have screwed up too many times to count.  He knows I'm mean and impatient.  He knows we have failed in almost everything we've set out to do.  He knows we've wasted our money on useless things.  We haven't actively pursued his lifestyle of taking care of the widows, orphans, hungry, and sick.  Sure, we tithe and participate in the annual Lottie Moon and Samaritan's Purse ministries, but that's easy.  Write a check and stuff some shoe boxes...done and done.  I'm tired of the easy stuff.  

So, I'm praying now for a challenge.  I know I'm not equipped with the talent, time, and money to really make a different or to even succeed in a simple task.  But, I'm asking God for the opportunity.  I feel like God is showing me the importance of obedience.  Over the past week or so I've read or heard someone say that I am not responsible for the outcome, but I am responsible for my obedience.  For example, God didn't put Joshua in charge of bringing down the walls of Jericho.  All Joshua had to do was obey...walk around Jericho a certain number of times for a certain number of days.  He obeyed and God took care of the rest.  Well, that I can do.  

I'm praying for a test of my obedience and I'm scared to death that I'll fail.  I've failed at this thousands of times.  So you're probably thinking I've gone crazy.  I haven't; I promise.  I want to please my God.  He's pleased me.  He's done everything for me.  I want to do this for Him.  I'm praying for the opportunity, the strength and wisdom to follow through, and for it to be pleasing to Him.  Notice anything about this prayer?  He's still the one that has to do all the work!  But isn't that always how it is?  Isn't He always just looking for willing participants to His plan?

I am a willing participant and I'm asking for the opportunity to demonstrate my obedience to His plan.  I've been on the lazy side of this my whole life.  I'm ready to actively pursue His will.

Shadeville Elementary Fall Festival

Adalyn has been dancing at Wakulla Dance Academy since 2012 and has already got a promotion!  She started in the 3/4 combo class for the 2012-2013 year.  Since she won't be 5 until February 2014, she was put into the 3/4 combo class again for the 2013-2014 year. Classes just started in August, but she's already been asked to move to the 5/6 year old class! We are so proud of her!  

She had her first performance of the year today.  She's only been in the 5/6 year old class for two sessions.  Her teacher had enough confidence in her abilities to allow her to perform the dance with the older class.  Boy, did she blow us away.  

We asked her several times today if she was ready to perform.  Her answer was always yes. When we asked her what dance she'll be performing, she answered "I don't know; tap I think."  I was worried for her...how can a little 4 year old be so confident without even knowing what dance she's going to perform?  

Well, when the time came she walked on stage with complete confidence, smiling and waving. I was about to bust!  I couldn't wait to see what would happen.  If you'd like to see how she did, visit:  http://youtu.be/sTNE0q-7EKU.  

We're so proud of our Adalyn.  I think she has a future in dance!!