Reaching her heart

After an unusually challenging day with my 3-year old, I went into her room after she fell asleep and gently placed my hand on her back.  Her blonde hair, still wet from a bath, smelled clean and fruity.  Her favorite stuffed bunny was snuggly tucked in under her protective arm.  I reflected back on the day.  With deep sorrow, I realized that the majority of my thoughts and words were directed at her less-than-desirable behaviors.  I felt like I had gotten no where that day.  How do I reach her heart and not solely focus on the behavior?  Feeling defeated I prayed for wisdom.  I knew that I wanted to think of something, right then, that I could do to dwell on and celebrate the many beautiful, noteworthy qualities that truly capture the essence of my precious daughter.  I began thinking about who she really is, at the heart-level.  I wrote down....

You are generous.
You are friendly.
You are my big helper.
You are thoughtful.
You are your brother's best friend.
You give the best hugs.
You are a delight.
You are a hard-worker.
You are an encourager.
You make my heart smile.
You are intelligent.


I then cut out paper hearts, wrote each truth down on a heart, and decorated her door with them as I dreamed about how excited I was for her to find them in the morning.  She did see them first thing the next morning.  I couldn't wait to read each heart to her and then tell her a specific example of when she showed that quality.  The smiles and obvious pride made my heart soar as I knew I was reaching her heart.  She seemed to claim each of these qualities as her own.

The next day or so she took the initiative to pick up toys throughout the entire house while I washed the dishes after dinner.  Getting down on her level I thanked her for being so helpful and reminded her about the heart that says "You are my BIG HELPER."  She smiled.  Then I used that as an opportunity to teach her what the word "responsible" means.  I told her that I wanted to add another heart to her door that says, "You are responsible."  She beamed.

We are now a few weeks out from that night I decorated her door.  I am still seeing huge benefits from this simple idea.  She's learned what it means to be generous, encouraging, diligent, and responsible and she loves finding ways to demonstrate these qualities.  I add hearts to her door every chance I get and I love it when she tells me something she did and what the new heart should say!

Not only has this re-focus been good for her, but also me.  I love finding every opportunity I can to encourage her and reach her on a heart-level.  Of course I still must address the issues that arise, but I don't want to dwell on those and I want to be ready to extend grace and mercy to her.

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

~Philippians 4:8

Levi's 1st Birthday Party - Time Flies (vintage airplanes)

I'm still trying to grasp the fact that my baby is 1 even though his birthday and party have come and gone!  Still (and will forever be) celebrating his precious little self.

I had SO much fun planning a very special morning for my little guy.  I know he won't remember anything, but he will have these pictures to look at and I hope that every little detail spells love to him. 

Thank you to our dear friends and family who celebrated Levi with us!  We love you!

An in-flight breakfast was served.

The menu:

-blueberry muffins

-fruit

-apple cinnamon oatmeal pancakes

-buttermilk pancakes

-chocolate chip pancakes

-breakfast casserole cupcakes

-hot drinks

-milk

 Bib and airplane shirt made by Tuckeroo's

If you look closely in the top right you can see the airplane flying by!  The kids loved these!  (Thank you Pappy!)



Happiest birthday sweet boy!! 

Party favors - I forgot to take a picture when the basket was full!

Vanilla Buttermilk Cake and Chocolate Butter Cake recipes...moist and delicious!

Celebrating Levi

Our precious Levi,

One year ago we met you face-to-face for the very first time.  An entire year…how is that possible!?  From that point on we have spent each day marveling at you and thanking God for entrusting you to us.  You are a masterpiece and “I sing for joy at the works of His hands” (Psalm 92:4). 

As you grow I love discovering how God created YOU…the only YOU in the entire world!  What elicits those contagious belly-laughs and melt-your-Mama-smiles?  What concerns you or makes you hesitate?  Are you animated, easy-going, observant, or spunky?  Are you silly or more reserved?  This year we’ve learned the answers to those questions, but the answers will change with the passing months.  Embracing who you are in this very moment is what I love most about each and every day.  The way God created you is simply breath-taking, inside and out.

I love you, all of you, my charming son.  I love your captivating crystal-blue eyes that twinkle with each smile.  I see both of your grandfathers in your eyes especially because Mommy and Daddy don’t have a hint of blue in our eyes!  Your silky blonde hair frames your handsome, tan face perfectly.  Your cheeks beckon to be kissed and I love the way my kisses sink into them.  I love when your strong, boy hands grasp my finger.  I love the wonder you have as you patiently observe the world around you.  Then I love watching you try and figure out how something works.  I love how you approach situations cautiously but gain confidence quickly.  I love the fact that you relax quietly in the car, the stroller, or Ergo.  You don’t have to be constantly entertained to enjoy life and I love that quality about you.  Our fast-paced, entertainment-driven world has much to learn from your constant contentment.  I prayed that you would be a cuddly baby and God certainly answered that prayer!  You always melt into my arms before bedtime and throughout the day you crawl into my lap and lay your head on my shoulder whenever you need a hug.  I love how special you make Addison feel.  She loves you and knows that you feel the same way about her.  She can make you laugh more than anyone and she is rightfully proud when she teaches you something new!  I love watching you read books – one of your favorite things to do.  You amaze me with your intelligence.  I love the fact that you are very social and wave and smile at everyone, but you are certain everyone still knows that I am your first choice.  Thank you for loving me back in such an obvious way.  I love cooking for you and watching you enjoy every thing I make (in less than 5 seconds!).  You make me feel like the best chef around!  I have yet to find a food that you won’t eat.  I love how you aren’t afraid to get dirty, crawl around in the grass, and splash in the pool.  You are rough and tumble and all boy.  I love that.  I love YOU.

From the day we found out that you were alive and growing inside of me, Daddy and I have been praying specifically for you, Levi Andrew.  We pray that your life would be a reflection of Jesus….a life that loves and trusts God, strives for integrity, wisdom, courage, and diligence.  We also pray that God’s covenant with Levi (as described in Malachi 2:5-6) would describe your life-“he revered me and stood in awe of my name…true instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips.  He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.”  God has huge plans and a specific purpose for your life.  I cannot wait to encourage you as that plan is revealed.  Daddy and I are so proud of you and we celebrate every aspect of you.

And speaking of Daddy, are you aware that you have the best Daddy in the world?  He is fun, caring, involved, and loves us so deeply.  However, most importantly he loves Jesus and his life displays His Name.  Daddy is a man of integrity, honor, wisdom, courage, generosity, compassion, gentleness yet strength, and loyalty.  He serves unlike anyone I have ever known.  I pray one day you will become a man who loves and serves his family like Daddy does ours.  You have so much to learn from him.

Happy, happy, happy 1^st birthday sweet boy!  I cannot wait for the many adventures we will share this next year!  Always reminding myself that the joy is in the journey so I don't get too sad about you growing up!

 

All the love I have,

Mama

We will celebrate his birthday at his "Time Flies" airplane party!  Can't wait to celebrate this little boy with our friends and family!

Mirrored Closet Doors

I remember the first time My Hero and I walked through the house that has since become our home.  As we made our way to the guest bedrooms I chuckled when I saw the mirrored sliding closet doors.  The highlight of my childhood summers was going to the beach.  We stayed in the same condo for years and the room my sister and I shared had mirrored sliding closet doors.  Every summer, without fail, she and I would stand half-in/half-out of the closet, lift our outside arm and leg up and down while we pretended to be flying.  Laughter from that little room poured into the entire condo.

Once the memories faded and I returned back to the present, I wasn't too excited that those eye-sore doors were going to be in my house.  Beach condo?  Sure.  My home?  Not so sure.  We liked the rest of the house enough that the closet doors weren't a deal-breaker.

Fast forward 5 years and two children later.  Those mirrored doors that I once ignored in hopes that they would disappear have actually become one of my favorite parts of my daughter's room and my son's room.

While I was pregnant with Addison, the closet mirrors proudly showed off my growing baby belly each time I'd linger in her room.  After she was born I remember holding her nestled into my chest, gazing in the mirror and thinking, "The picture I see in this mirror is exactly what I have dreamed of for so long."  Tonight, I snuggled in bed next to my 3 1/2 year old Addison, looked in the mirror, and saw a beautiful, freshly-bathed, blond-haired little girl reading books with her Mommy.  I noticed fingerprints on the mirrors.  How many times have I cleaned those fingerprints that are gradually reaching higher and higher with the passing years?  I thought back to all the times My Hero and I have tickled her, sang to her, and prayed over her each night.  The mirrors give a wonderful perspective into my treasured mothering moments.

After I nursed my little 10 month old Levi this evening I stood up to hold him and sing my favorite "lullaby," God is So Good.  As always, I held him close and swayed back and forth while his heavy head rested on my shoulder and the weight of his jammied baby body molded into me.  I looked to my left and took in the ceiling to floor image displayed on the mirrors.  My sweet, sweet boy.  A year ago I stood in this same spot, looked in the mirrors, and smiled as I saw how he rounded me and filled me.  Now he fills my arms.  His legs fall past my waist and the weight of him is evident by my upper body strength.  My mind raced forward.  I see an adventurous little blond-haired boy skipping rocks across a lake, trying to get his smooth stones to jump farther than Daddy's.  His once "Mama-only" eyes are now enthralled and in awe of his Daddy who is not only My Hero, but has become his too.  I imagine him coming home from soccer practice, sweaty, dirty, and smelly.  In my present moment I wrap my arms around my baby boy a little tighter, feel his velvety soft, smooth skin, and breathe in his Aveeno baby wash heavenly smell.  I envision the handsome face of my 12 year old boy-man fighting to be brave after he gets hurt and the sting and tightening in my throat as I know that a kiss on his “boo boo” won’t make it all better any more.  I see his kind eyes and gentle smile being extended to serve someone and show God's unconditional love in a tangible way.  I will continue to be his greatest cheerleader and encourager but it will be for far grander things than learning how to take his first steps and how to say "ball," "mama," "dada," and that a cow says "moo".  I imagine him proudly sitting behind the wheel of a car the day he gets his license and watching his hand wave goodbye as I slowly walk into the house, get down on my knees, and pray fervently.  I touch his baby hands…so squishy and soft.  They fit in the palm of my hand, but I can tell that he already has big, strong boy-hands.  I hold his hands tight and pray over them.  I can’t imagine this not-even-a-year-old baby of mine leaving for college or falling in love, so I stop my dreaming there and fully return to the present.  I cling to my boy and let the picture the mirror captures burn a forever image into my mind.  Oh this Mama's heart aches as I know one day I won't be able to hold him close and kiss his pillow-cheeks all day long.  One day I'll look in those mirrors and see a completely different image and I know that the present image will always hold an incredibly dear place in my heart.  Yes, the joy is in the journey, but these fleeting days are precious and I love mothering my baby.

Two weeks ago we joined my family for the highlight of the summer: our beach trip.  No, the fancy house we stayed in was not adorned with mirrored sliding closet doors, but that's okay because I have them at home.  One day soon I'll teach Addison and Levi how to fly.  Until then I'll continue holding my babies close and gazing into the images the mirrors reflect day after day.

********************************************************************

Yet again, thank you, Mom and Dad, for a perfect week at the beach.  Truly, it was a perfect week.

Blessed beyond measure....

A Small Step to Raising Thankful Kids

Thankfulness doesn't come naturally to children, at least from what I've observed these past 3+ years of being a mother.  "Thank yous" need prompting and some days I'm unsure how to reach her heart so she will view her every day blessings not as expectations, but as gifts from God.  Did we have a dry, safe bed to sleep in last night?  A gift.  Did you get to play on the playground with a friend?  Another gift.  What about that yummy breakfast, lunch, and dinner you ate?  Keep counting those gifts!  The list goes on and on and on. 

I read Ann Voskamp's post sharing insight on how to help raise grateful kids and raising happier kids.

I love this...

Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter?

If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess?

If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy?

If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).

Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?

*****************************************************************

So this past week, Addison and I began counting gifts.  I started by weaving the term "gifts from God" and being thankful throughout our days.  Then one night before bed I gave her a very special notebook and described to her that we are going to start writing down our gifts.  She was very excited and had many ideas!  I wrote down exactly what she said.  This week we are starting to keep our book close by throughout the day so we can write down gifts as we recognize them.  At the end of each day I write "Mommy is thankful for...." and I focus on a character trait that Addison displayed throughout the day.  Was she extra kind to her brother?  Did she share her toys?  Did she listen first time when I said it was time to come inside?  I'm hoping to show her that gifts are not always tangible items.  And soon I'll start talking to her about the not-so-fun parts of life that are also gifts (ex. laundry!). 

I'm looking forward to finding more ways to help her view her life through the lens of "I don't deserve this" and everything truly is a gift in hopes that she will BE the gift to others. 



The 5 Things I Tell My Daughter Every Day

As we finish our last snuggles, last kisses, last before bed secrets, last tickles, and last "I love yous," I pray that my 3-year-old daughter will rest in these truths that I wove into the course of our day...


1. You are a delight

2. God made you, God loves you, and Jesus wants to be your friend forever

3. Daddy and I love you...no matter what

4. God made you and you are stunningly beautiful

5. Your heart makes my heart smile