Ok I know this is probably the longest post I have ever done (without pictures), but PLEASE read it ALL! The best part is at the END!!
Sunday our pastor, Dr. John Petty, preached a sermon titled: "What Holy Spirit?" (Acts 19:1-7). During his introduction he told a story about his 3 year old daughter Mara. Several things that she had done during the week one of which had to do with a brand new Suburban and the garage door opener!! I'm sure you get the gist!
Well he said something that really hit me because I am just trying to figure out why in the world I have to say the word "NO" so many times during one day! And what other ways can I detour my ONE YEAR OLDS away from something that could potentially be dangerous without getting on to them and raising my voice! TIME OUT does NOT work for me! If only you could see the look on Isaac's face when I put him in time out! I can't even look at him without laughing! Everything is a game to them and it's hard to "EXPLAIN" the difference of when you are serious and when you are playing!
John described Mara as spirited!
I thought, "What a GREAT description of my own children." They are so curious and so full of energy and wanting to learn. They take so MUCH into their little brains each day! I NEVER want to say or do anything to crush their spirit! We want them to be who they are and enhance those qualities that we LOVE so much about them, but that are so FRUSTRATING!
I just want to know how to channel those traits in the right direction, how to keep that Spirit they have but in the right way!
This is what my mom had to say about my children and she said it just perfectly:
On Isaac:
Isaac is a friendly and playful little boy with a smile that will warm your heart. He loves to talk, dance, read books, and climb. He is tender, loving, and sometimes cuddly (he's a busy boy, you know). He's already a bit of a protector of his sister when she is hurt or in trouble. My favorite thing is watching Isaac play on the floor with his Dad and snuggle with his Mother. He has lots of love to give and a personality that lights up his home. I love him so much! I forgot to say how much this little boy loves exploring. He loves wheels, knobs he can turn, buttons he can push, anything electronic, and even though he can't put things back together yet, he will figure out how to take things apart. Such a smart little boy! He is a problem solver and can tell you a tale a mile long. He too, like his sister, loves the outdoors, although not as daring as Hadleigh, he absolutely comes to life when there is dirt, sticks, grass, and rocks to throw or something to climb! Life is all yours, Isaac!
On Hadleigh:
Insomnia could be a synonym for little Miss Hadleigh Jane. She thrives on less sleep than most adults, or so it would seem. A catnapper, if you will. Her eyes looked right into my heart the very first time I met her, and they hold it still. Those eyes, they smile, they laugh, they sing, they wonder, they tease, and they even glare at times. You can almost always know what she's thinking by looking in her eyes. She loves to bounce, jump, roll, kick her feet up, and spin in circles. Hadleigh is full of energy, giggles (well laughter actually) and mischief. She loves to be at eye level with you, so you must be on the floor with her so she knows you are 'with' her or you must 'up please' (hold me) so she can be at eye level with you. 'Have no fear' Hadleigh loves to be outside, as does her brother. She doesn't mind at all getting dirty, rolling around in the grass, playing in the dogs water, sliding, swinging, running and climbing. She is all girl though, already in love with shoes (like her mother) and for the most part has learned to enjoy the roll of 'buttons and bows'! She likes to dance and twirl and generally 'show off'! She has a voice to be heard and sometimes a bit of an 'attitude', but when that little girl with her blanket and 'meme' (pacifier) comes climbing in your lap and snuggles up to you, your heart just melts inside and she's 'gotcha'! God has blessed her with the greatest of parents and I love they way they love and love on their babies! I love you so much!
Sunday our pastor, Dr. John Petty, preached a sermon titled: "What Holy Spirit?" (Acts 19:1-7). During his introduction he told a story about his 3 year old daughter Mara. Several things that she had done during the week one of which had to do with a brand new Suburban and the garage door opener!! I'm sure you get the gist!
Well he said something that really hit me because I am just trying to figure out why in the world I have to say the word "NO" so many times during one day! And what other ways can I detour my ONE YEAR OLDS away from something that could potentially be dangerous without getting on to them and raising my voice! TIME OUT does NOT work for me! If only you could see the look on Isaac's face when I put him in time out! I can't even look at him without laughing! Everything is a game to them and it's hard to "EXPLAIN" the difference of when you are serious and when you are playing!
John described Mara as spirited!
I thought, "What a GREAT description of my own children." They are so curious and so full of energy and wanting to learn. They take so MUCH into their little brains each day! I NEVER want to say or do anything to crush their spirit! We want them to be who they are and enhance those qualities that we LOVE so much about them, but that are so FRUSTRATING!
I just want to know how to channel those traits in the right direction, how to keep that Spirit they have but in the right way!
This is what my mom had to say about my children and she said it just perfectly:
On Isaac:
Isaac is a friendly and playful little boy with a smile that will warm your heart. He loves to talk, dance, read books, and climb. He is tender, loving, and sometimes cuddly (he's a busy boy, you know). He's already a bit of a protector of his sister when she is hurt or in trouble. My favorite thing is watching Isaac play on the floor with his Dad and snuggle with his Mother. He has lots of love to give and a personality that lights up his home. I love him so much! I forgot to say how much this little boy loves exploring. He loves wheels, knobs he can turn, buttons he can push, anything electronic, and even though he can't put things back together yet, he will figure out how to take things apart. Such a smart little boy! He is a problem solver and can tell you a tale a mile long. He too, like his sister, loves the outdoors, although not as daring as Hadleigh, he absolutely comes to life when there is dirt, sticks, grass, and rocks to throw or something to climb! Life is all yours, Isaac!
On Hadleigh:
Insomnia could be a synonym for little Miss Hadleigh Jane. She thrives on less sleep than most adults, or so it would seem. A catnapper, if you will. Her eyes looked right into my heart the very first time I met her, and they hold it still. Those eyes, they smile, they laugh, they sing, they wonder, they tease, and they even glare at times. You can almost always know what she's thinking by looking in her eyes. She loves to bounce, jump, roll, kick her feet up, and spin in circles. Hadleigh is full of energy, giggles (well laughter actually) and mischief. She loves to be at eye level with you, so you must be on the floor with her so she knows you are 'with' her or you must 'up please' (hold me) so she can be at eye level with you. 'Have no fear' Hadleigh loves to be outside, as does her brother. She doesn't mind at all getting dirty, rolling around in the grass, playing in the dogs water, sliding, swinging, running and climbing. She is all girl though, already in love with shoes (like her mother) and for the most part has learned to enjoy the roll of 'buttons and bows'! She likes to dance and twirl and generally 'show off'! She has a voice to be heard and sometimes a bit of an 'attitude', but when that little girl with her blanket and 'meme' (pacifier) comes climbing in your lap and snuggles up to you, your heart just melts inside and she's 'gotcha'! God has blessed her with the greatest of parents and I love they way they love and love on their babies! I love you so much!
2 comments:
I love it! Your mom definitely has a way with words! I think she perfectly summed up your kids. They are definitely wonderful, funny, sweet, beautiful & yes, SPIRITED little ones! You can't help but fall in love with them! I'm not sure who is more blessed - them or you - I go with BOTH! God knew exactly what he was doing when he put you all together!! I love your family!!
It is so sweet of you to share my love for your children in such a special way. Their spirit will carry you through many days of your life, especially those that are the darkest. I know, because ... well, let's just say because I am a mother of two wonderfully blessed children that without them, I would have never made it past September 1, 1983. That is another lifetime ago, and though it is long past, my heart continues to be filled by the joys, wonders, struggles, fears, and miracles of my children. This is not to say that they consume all of me, but of all the gifts God has bestowed upon me (and there have been many), the love he gave to me through my children is on the right had of the love he gave me through the death of Jesus on the cross! Nothing else can bring such comfort and joy! Everyone who knows the love of Jesus and the love of a child, knows the very meaning of life.
When my tears dry, I will share with you my thoughts on the 'spirit'.
Jennifer Dawn ... I love you so much!
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