blanketed in prayer

This blanket was hand made by someone in our church.  Tulip has lots of blankets, but this one is special because it is a prayer blanket.  The person who made it lovingly crocheted while she prayed for this little one whom she didn't know.  None of us knew little Tulip while this blanket was being made.  But we prayed.  I prayed.  Hubby prayed.  Strangers prayed.....

 

And now when I lay her on it, I think about how significant that is.  What a privilege to blanket my girls in prayer.  I just read this passage and it had new meaning to me today.  

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 

 Phillipians1:9-11

I love it when I read something that I've read dozens of times before, but I suddenly see something new there.  I adore Paul's letter to the Phillipians.  As I read it this morning, I thought about that blanket and how I want to blanket these girls, my hubby, my students and my friends in prayer.  So, I've decided to commit this one to memory and pray it as often as I think of it.  

My favorite part is, "...so you may be able to discern what is best..."

That is a tough prayer...I know that God's best isn't always popular or easy.  When these babies grow into women and choose what they believe to be God's best, I might even disagree at times.  But His ways are higher than ours and I'm hoping that if I persist in prayer, I will often be able to say that they chose His best for their lives.

one baby, many faces

Tulip is a pro at making us laugh with her variety of faces.  Here are a few of her most recent looks and what I think they mean.

mmmm.....I'm full

But I like to eat every 2 hours.  So it's not long before I'm letting you know that I'm hungry AGAIN!

I will not repeat myself, so please hear me the 1st time:  I do not enjoy this thing you call "tummy time".

Momma...for real...are you taking another picture?

Perhaps I should try rolling over....naw, I like my back!

If I keep smiling, these people will keep making crazy noises and faces.

I've got them wrapped around my little finger....I just show them how cute I am and then....

...turn on the tears to get whatever I want!  Let's see how loud I can be.

I know these cheeks are irresistible, but is it necessary to squeeze them?

I'm dry, full and ready to relax....

Hmmmm...I'm hungry for something, but I can't decide - milk...or milk?

How can you resist loving me?

God's girl

Isn't she perfect?

When I look at her, I can't find a thing that I would change.  As parents, we have that privilege - of seeing our babies the way that God sees us through Christ...perfect, innocent, absolutely lovely in every way.

On Saturday, Hubby and I had the great honor of dedicating Tulip at church.  Grandparents, Great-Grand parents, aunts and uncles were there to join with the angels in celebration.  It was a blessed event.

In preparation for the day, I went to 1 Samuel and read about Hannah's dedication of her son.  I was especially moved by what she said:

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the LORD."

1 Samuel 1:27 &28

It is so simple - I asked, you answered.  So, now I give him back to you.  It's like Hannah is saying - I don't even have to think about it , Lord.  When you bless me, I will always give back to you.  Hannah had great faith.  And she was richly rewarded - read 1 and 2 Samuel and you'll see what a stud her boy turned out to be.

But back to my girl...Yes, we prayed for you, Tulip.  And we recognize that you are a true gift.  So, with grateful hearts, we dedicate you to the Lord.  We vow to seek his wisdom in raising you and we publicly announce our intention to bring you regularly to the family and house of God.

How grateful we are for these girls...and for a church family that is offering their support and help in teaching them about the love of Christ.  

This is a big job...thank you, Lord, that you are with me in it and that you have provided the church to walk the journey with us.  Amen

a hard bargain

I seriously considered not posting this.  I knew it was one of those parenting decisions that not everyone would agree with.  But then I spent some time with the Lord asking him for wisdom in this adventure of being a mom and he reminded me that this is real life.  And real life isn't alway pretty or easy.

Since He already knows this story, here goes...

Disclaimer - this is not one of my proudest parenting moments, nor a glowing tale of my beloved Peach:

I already posted that we had SUCCESS with the potty training, but as I'm learning, kids sometimes take two steps forward and one step back.  While #1 is still happening regularly in the potty, #2 has been a little more tricky.  Peach hadn't gone for 4 days and on day 5 I was getting a little nervous about her health.  After many tears, a serious tummy ache and a confession that she was scared, I was desperate to get her to go.

And, of course, all this came on the heels of a disagreement with Hubby, Tulip crying unconsolably for what seemed like forever for no reason that I could figure out, and a wee bit of financial stress.  Because when it rains, it pours, doesn't it?

She finally did it...but it cost me.  I'm not much into bribing.  As a teacher, I've even read some of the research about how damaging it can be to train kids to think they need a reward for everything.  However, desperate times call for desperate measures.

What did it cost me?
A doll....
Back pack carrier for the doll...
Pajamas for the doll...
A trip to the gas station to get smarties....
And as if that wasn't enough...
I also threw in a promise to watch the CARE BEAR movie (formerly banned in our house because one of the characters says the word "hate"...I told you I was desperate!)

stinker!

This girl drives a hard bargain - but she did it and we were both relieved...literally!

At the end of the day, I seriously feared that I'm raising a...dare I say it?...spoiled brat.  Somebody please tell me I'm not the only one out there who wonders around each corner if I'm permanently messing my kids up.  Every little decision I make is shaping who she is and I'm often left questioning if I'm doing the right thing...does it ever get any better?

Long day...but despite the small battles, we are still so blessed.  I hope I don't sound like I'm complaining - I really do have everything I need and more.  But today was one of those days that I'm glad to put to rest.  Looking forward to your new mercies tomorrow, Lord.

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23

beach bums

We were craving some sand between our toes, so we headed to the beach.

As I type that, it seems so easy - but, it wasn't.  Hubby and I spent more time packing the swimsuits, floaties, towels, snacks, sandals, toys, diapers, etc. than we actually spent at the beach!  I'm glad that we can laugh about those things together.  I love that easygoing way about my guy.

It was a first for both my girls.  They loved it!  Peach told us she wanted to "swim to Egypt".  So, we did just that.  She named one of the bouys "home" and the other "Egypt" and swam between them for the better part of our time at the beach.  She is getting so brave...makes me nervous!

Tulip was content to just lay back in the cool water.  Oh, to be that relaxed and carefree!

As you can imagine, after a few trips to and from Egypt, Peach got hungry.  So, we ended our short trip to the beach with a picnic.

Funny day...funny girls...good memory.

simple joys

I learned about simple joys the summer after my freshman year of college.  I was working at a Bible camp and one of the counselors that I worked with was always pointing out little things that made her heart smile.  She became a very dear friend over the course of that summer and ever since, I've been smiling and thinking of her every time something small brings me joy.

Here's my list of the simple things that are making my heart smile lately...

airplane rides

snuggles

pretending

my guy adoring our girl...

I knew when I married him that he'd be a great dad someday, but I never knew anyone could be this good.

mornings with the things that keep me going

bows, clips...anything to hold those precious wisps of hair out of her  baby blues

a good book just waiting to be picked up

fresh cherries - ripe and juicy

the priceless artwork on my fridge

yummy smells that make doing the dishes a little more bearable

teddy bear and blankie

frosty popsicles on a hot, hot day

popcorn parties in bed and staying up late

towels fresh from the laundry...still warm when you step out of the shower

bedtime

enjoying something new for the first time

a new roll of toilet paper that I didn't have to put on...thanks, Hubby

tulip's cheeks

peach's stink face

Thank you, Lord, for the little things...the everyday stuff that whisper to me of what will be.  Someday, when I'm home with you, the joy of your presence will abound.  Until then, keep reminding me that you're near with simple joys.  Amen.

time with tulip

It's not often that I get to spend time alone with Tulip.  But the other day, Peach and Hubby took extra long naps.  That meant that Tulip and I got some special time together....and it was just what my heart needed.

I just looked at her and wondered....

...those tiny toes...

where will they take her?

...those sweet fingers....

what will life find for her hands to do?

...those ears, eyes, lips...

...that nose...

who will she listen to?

what will she see?

what will she have to say?

...and oh, that face...just look at those cheeks!

...will anyone ever love her face as much as I do?

...who will she become?

I cherished every minute of looking into those dreamy eyes and telling my Tulip how very much she means to me.  It was such a blessing to whisper to her how much better my life is now that she's in it.  How I thought I had been blessed beyond belief and then the Lord gave me her.  I was happy before she came.  Now I am twice as blessed...twice as happy...twice as full.

And she just smiled like she understood every word.

Later, Peach woke up and joined us on the floor.

I am thrilled to see their bond growing every day.  There is already something wonderful there...something special and silent growing between those two hearts.

my girls....how did I get so lucky?

It ended with Peach reading a story to Tulip and my heart melting.  It's not always this peaceful and serene, but when it is, I thank my lucky stars that this is my life.