To My Girls

I have been blessed with two very beautiful girls.

I write a lot about how Anthony changes my life.

But these two...they have amazing ways of impacting my life as well.

There's a phrase I like to say from time to time that goes:

"Whatever you didn't learn from your parents, your kids will teach you."

So very true.

There's a book out there called "I was the perfect parent. Before I had kids."

Now I have never read this book, I don't know who wrote it or anything about it, but the title alone, speaks volume to a million things in regards to parenting. Whatever I thought I was going to be, or do, as a parent was almost completely lost the moment each of them were laid in my arms. You can plan all you want before kids, but call it preparing, because once that child comes to you, and in each and every interaction with them, it all becomes less about you and more about them.

You will need to be much more flexible.

Becoming a parent has a way of making you really look at yourself, your values and your priorities.

And you really need to take into account who they are, each one on their own.

Like with these two.

One is emotional, one is logical.

One is sensitive, one is practical.

Both are relational, but in different ways.

One is academic, one is artistic.

One is a planner, one is more "free".

One is opinionated, one is a people pleaser.

One is a giver, one is a hoarder.

Both are full of love and spirit.

Both love animals.

Both are friendly.

One is more black and white, and one is so very gray.

Both love pink.

One is more cautious, one is more brave.

One uses band aids, one picks.

One is more subdued, one is more colorful.

One reads, one paints.

One hunts, and they both fish.

One can be bossy and one cries.

Both are loving.

Both are protectors of their brother and each other.

And both are fun and very delightful to spend time with.

And the giggles from the other room reminds me how they can both comfort

and make the other laugh.

And because of them, I have had to take a very hard look at myself.

Because both are observers too.

They watch what I say, what I do and how I feel.

And when I see the things that worry me for them,

I realize that I may have passed on more than brown eyes and curly hair.

In each interaction with them, more than ever before, I carefully think about what I say to them.

Because I want the follower to lead.

Because I want the people pleaser to value who she is.

Because I want the Free spirit to be a little more careful.

And the subdued to reach higher.

Because I want the academic to nurture her creativity and the artist to gain wisdom.

I want the more emotional one to not have her heart broken so easily.

And I want the logical one to be less serious.

Because I don't want them to confuse pleasing others with simply caring for others.

Because I don't want them to ever lose who they were destined to be,

and have to rediscover or "find" themselves in adulthood.

Because I want them to stay connected to their inner spirit.

Because I want them to love who they are, as they are.

Because I want them to grow,

And to continue to shine and sparkle as they do now.

Because through good times and bad, I want them to know and keep the JOY in them.

Because "happiness" can come and go with the wind.

These girls are precious to me.

They help me to make sure they always feel valued and honored.

And I have become very grateful to them.

Because they have blessed me with the knowledge

of just how much they watch what I do and say about myself -

that I have HAD to learn to value and honor myself.

Because all kids learn by watching!

And not necessarily by listening.

These little gems are teaching me to back up what I say,

with what I do.

And it is a challenge.

But one I will bust my tail to take on -

At even the chance to give them a better life.

So that they can always see in themselves

what I see in them.

Their beauty, adventure, simple sweetness and uniqueness. Their kindness, joy, patience, and honor. Their creativity, loving, caring and considerate skills. Their amazing talents. Their hope, courage, sensitivity and fun. They are precious and treasured gifts to everyone around them.

I pray each day to fill their hearts with value, honor, belonging and a sense of such worthiness. Because they are worth so very much to me.

Loving them is easy.

And I commit to loving them - through building and strengthening them, the best way I can.

My Bella and Emma Rose.

Thank you for the gifts you've given me.

Two for One Special

It started out as "Happy hour". The kids were playing with the neighbor kids, having a grand time. I believe "Horsie" was the name of the game. Emma was the rider, Tyler was the horse. It must have been a rodeo, but I don't think Emma made it the 8 seconds.

I was putting away the laundry when I heard Bella and the neighbor kids run in and begin yelling for me. They were all so excited and speaking at once as I came down the stairs to see what all the fuss was about. All I could make out was "Emma, blood, tooth, and a lot of blood". I followed them over to the neighbors and there was Emma was in the care of their dear grandmother who watches over them.

They weren't kidding about the blood. There was a LOT of it. We've lost a lot of teeth in this house with three kids, but this was the most I've ever seen. Sure enough, there it was, the top front tooth, been loose for months. We were all so happy and full of yells and excitement congratulating her.

But then Edna says, that other one is about to go too. As we all calmed ourselves to see, it got very quiet. We could have heard a pin drop while we watched her wiggle it with her tongue, but instead we heard "it". We actually heard it grinding. Ugh. I tried, to no avail to yank it out, so Edna got it. Poor little Emma, her eyes were so big, but her face was so scared, and she was so quiet. So here she is, now two teeth gone, and bleeding all over the place, and she goes over and hugs Tyler for helping her get her teeth out. Tyler's head is okay, but she'll need to wash her hair.

So here is little sunshine, all cleaned up and toothless.

The neighbor boy Carson and her play FBI Agent almost every day. So, since Miss Emma was such a sport, went through such trama (boy, are her gums bruised too), and lost TWO teeth. She and her partner will have fun with the walkie talkies the tooth fairy will deliver tonight.

This is my little Emma. She sparkles and she shines.

And that hair goes with her personality so much.

She got her haircut recently and the hairdresser "straightened" it for her.

It was fun and cute... for a day.

Like playing dress up, except with hair instead of crowns and twirly dresses.

But wow, does she look different!!!

We brought back the curls after one day of wearing it straight.

That was plenty.

She said that curly was better than straight. Bella interpreted that to mean in general.

(Bella has stick straight hair, and the stylist curled hers, of course it did not stay.)

I explained that Emma just meant she liked HER hair better curly,

the way God made her hair to be.

To which she jumped in and said,

"yeah, and I trust in God."

Country Girls

These are some shots from the other week at Grandma and "Silly Papa's" house, (my parents).

My girls often just take my breath away, with their silly stories, thoughtful words or acts of kindness. Even their sassiness can take my breath away- mostly because I thought some of that came much later in life. But these little girls took my breath away again... at how they are growing up.

Emma's personality is bigger than life and what those little red boots can carry.

And Bella is starting to discover and define who she is.
(Right now it's a toss up between Tom boy and Country girl). What ever she decides, she at least knows what she doesn't want.

My little Emma - always has her own style. And a smile that goes with everything!!!

I love the sunlight in her hair. She is a shining light in my life.

And the tough girl with her boots and tractor. She even baits and releases her own fish from her pole now.

Each day I pray that both my girls keep shining in their spirit and always go after what they want. To know who they are, by their own definition and no one else's, and to stay true to themselves. I pray they keep their "Laura Ingalls" nature in this "Hannah Montana" world. And that if a boy does win their heart and respect, that he nurture and love her for who she is and encourage her in all she does. God bless all my angels, for they are such treasures.