Baby Turns 4

This is Baby.

 And today he turns 4.


I guess it's time to change his name.  Because there is not much baby left in him.


Because he's old enough now to brush his own teeth and make his own bed and say his own prayers.

And God knew what he was doing when He gave him to me last.  Because I'm old   more experienced now and  too tired   have better perspective on how to deal with his crazy handle his mischievousness.


Because Baby, he's a force of nature.

He doesn't stop moving, doesn't stop talking, doesn't stop thinking.


I have to force this child to sit down and watch tv because he is too busy to let life pass him by.


Because Baby, he's full throttle.


He's all about climbing trees and chasing fireflies and beating up his brothers.


And most days he still squeezes the cat.


And the frogs.


But aside from all the grit and grime and chaos and reptiles he brings into this house, Baby is the ray of sunshine I need at the beginning and end of every day.  His tiny hands on my face and sweet head on my shoulder are all I need to help me regain some calm to an otherwise crazy day. 

Every day, Baby, you tell me hundreds of things you need from me.  Another cup of milk...some chicken noodle soup....help turning up the ipad.  But the truth is, Baby, I'm the one that needs you.   God knew I was starting to take life too seriously so he brought your beautiful self into my life right in the knick of time.  And you, my child, make me smile.  A big, goofy, dopey Gomer Pyle smile that I can't seem to wipe off my face. 

I love you, Baby.  And I'm praying for you.  I pray that you grow up strong and humble and wise and grateful.  I pray that God's glory is all over your life.   I pray that He overwhelms you everyday.  I pray that your eyes will be open to see His workings in and around you.   As you learn your letters and long division and how to drive and take your SATs and that first year of marriage that can be a little sticky and those first few weeks  years  decades as a daddy when you have no idea what you're doing and are so sleep deprived you can't think straight.....I pray you let Him work in you.  Shaping you and transforming you into what you were designed for all along.   Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Happy Happy Birthday, beautiful Baby.  I hope it's a Gomer Pyle smile kind of day for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do Over

Yesterday was just not my day.

I told The Yahoos we were going to have school.

Sighs and grumbles.

I had to give out the dreaded 'write your multiplication tables to 20' discipline. 

Daggers aimed straight at me.

I made Baby take a nap.

Kicking and screaming and whining.

It looked something like this.  Only this was two years ago.  So he is exactly the same size, except his fits are much more intense. 

I made ham sandwiches rather than chicken noodle soup for lunch.  I couldn't find the toy that someone else lost.  The new email address I came up with for myself didn't suit someone's fancy. 

Fail.


Fail.


Fail.

Today, my little world stood up and shook its collective fist at me. 


And what did I do?

Well, I wanted to do a lot of things.

I wanted  to make them watch as I ate all the candy I had pilfered from them and stashed in my super secret hiding place (the bottom of the vegetable box in the fridge.  Shhh.  Don't tell)  while they ate the vegetables.


I wanted  to make a list of all the housework I hate doing and make them do it while I watch Disney Channel.  Just for the spite of it.  Not because I like the Disney Channel.  Except Good Luck Charlie.  I do kind of like it. 


I wanted  to make them kiss each other on the lips while I took a picture and sent it to all their friends.  Because Lord knows they have embarrassed me in front of mine. Over and over again. 

But I didn't.  I managed to have a little self control. 

I did eat some chocolate.  But not in front of them.  I did make them do more chores, but nixed Disney Channel.  And I did make them kiss.  But no pictures.  This time.


Is this my proudest moment? 

No. 

Is it my most shameful?

Regrettably....no. 

But I am happy to report that today was a new day.

A day where I heard a few more thank yous and a few less sighs.  Where tickles replaced screams and hugs replaced punches. 

A day full of do overs.  And I love me a good do over.

Playing Pretend

I don't know why I don't frequent the library more than I do.

Maybe it's the 30 minute drive there.

Or the fact that my library card acts more like a credit card.  Thank goodness I don't have a car payment.  I'm not sure I could afford that and paying my library fines.

But both of our local  libraries are so wonderful.  Especially the children's sections.  I love watching  the little ones play with the puppets while Ninja surrounds himself with as many books and possible.  That kid would literally prefer to be reading than anything else.  Have I told you he read all of the Narnia series this year...all of them....twice?

So I took The Yahoos and the niece to the library today.  And on the way home we popped in an Adventures in Odyssey.  As we listened I heard one of the characters talk about how it was normal that his teenage daughter was dressing and acting like her friends.  That kids her age imitate one another.

And I started thinking.

I think we might not outgrow that imitating thing.

As adults I watch as we imitate Pioneer Woman or Money Saving Mom or the fellas of Duck Dynasty.  Of course, I don't think there is anything wrong with that.  My waist line shows I've imitated Pioneer Woman one too many times.  My checkbook shows I should be imitating Money Saving Mom more.   It's good to follow the example of those that have something to teach and learn from those who have gone on before us.


But I have to confess that too many days I distract myself with imitating others over Christ.  I keep trying to live a life that has been carved out for another.  To walk a mile in someone else's Jimmy Choos when my feet are more tailored for Justin boots.  That game of pretend I play with myself only leads me down a trail of frustration and failure.  Because when I try to be something other then what is intended for me, it becomes all about me and what I can do.  My image.  My reputation.  When all along all God really wants me to do is to live a life of love to those in my circle of influence.  So that it becomes all about Him.  And what He can do in me.  His glory.  His story. 

 

 

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 

Ephesian 5:1-2

NLT