Where Do You Place Your Hope?

Few words have been tossed around these days as much as the word "Hope". We have been inundated with messages that hope is finally a possibility (some have gone so far as to say it's a reality) with the election of our new president. Why are we so quick to put hope in an individual who has yet to prove himself? Talk is cheap and so many have made promises that they haven't been able to, or never intended to keep. We don't put that much hope in newly purchased appliances or vehicles. That's why we spend money on extended warranties. Things don't always work out the way they are "supposed" to and we readily accept that as if it is the norm, unless it comes to political leadership. Then we are quick to place blame and point fingers. Suddenly, for some reason, this man is our answer. Really? Don't we realize that men are fallible? Why do seemingly intelligent people put HOPE in men? Our hope shouldn't be in any president- past, present, or future. Until we realize this, America, our future is hopeless.

Hope, by definition, is "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best". Only One can give us that guarantee- someone who's proven Himself time and time again.

Psalm 33:18-22

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us. Lord, four our hope is in you alone.

Growing Up!

It's happening, whether I want it to or not! Our little boy is growing up. Today was Daniel's first official day of preschool, something I was looking forward to...until I dropped him off. He was so excited and ran to give hugs to his teachers, Miss Nicole and Miss Heidi, both of whom are friends of ours from church and probably the best teachers he could have in the world! Backpack and water bottle in hand, he waved goodbye and I turned to head back to the car. Initially, I was looking forward to a quiet morning at home alone with Sofia, who would be napping most of the time. But I found the quiet surprisingly disturbing as I realized my little boy is growing up and, little by little, needing me less.

The best part of the day, for me anyway, was pulling up outside his school and seeing his little happy face. He told me all about the games he played, the songs he sang, the stories he heard, and the friends he made. He can't wait until Thursday...that makes one of us.

It's A...

Surprise! We had our 18-week ultrasound today and made the decision to not find out the sex of the baby. Probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make, what with my OCD and all. Fortunately we are not masochistic enough to have the results in an envelope, taunting us. The good news? We have a perfectly healthy baby...something and we're thrilled. Can't wait to share what God's decided to give us this summer!

Birthday Girl

Our baby girl is 8 months old and as pretty as ever! Sofia is a woman on the move and beginning to crawl everywhere she can. Her favorite toys are her Baby Einstein exersaucer, a pink rock-a-stack, and the television remote control, which she will go to great lengths to reach. Sofia loves to squeal with delight and we've already caught her singing with the radio! She loves music and will stop dead in her tracks if she hears anyone singing. We are so blessed and in love with our little beauty.

Sweetness

This might just be one of those moments only a mother could love, but it was so precious I had to share it...

Every night before bed, like most people we know, we read books with Daniel and say our prayers. The prayers of a three-year-old are fairly simplistic, especially since this is a concept that Daniel is just beginning to learn. Traditionally they go something like this...

"Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and baby Sofia, and Grandma and Peepaw, and Nana and Tata, and Aunt Nancy and Wunka Wade, and Tio Alex and Tia Julie...."

You get the picture. Ordinarilly, Daniel needs some assistance in listing every member of our family that he is thankful for, but inevitably he gets them all.

Today, we had a wonderful time with the Bouie's at Eboni's birthday party where Daniel got to run around on the playground and eat cupcakes. It really doesn't get any better than that for a little boy. Naturally, in the course of his running, he fell and, ever so slightly, skinned his knee. Regardless of how minor the injury may have seemed, it made an impression on Daniel. Tonight's prayer was something a little different and entirely from Daniel's heart.

It went like this...

"Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Sofaloafaloafapia. And I pray for my bunka knee, and for my knee. 'Cuz today I went to the park and jumped on the slide and I fell and I bunka knee. And I pray for my knee. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for my sins.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

(Insert tears here)

It is so precious that Daniel knows he is speaking to God and that He will help his knee feel better! I think my favorite part is that he explained how he bunked his knee- as if God had no idea. :) So sweet and innocent! Naturally, we pray that Daniel will grow in the knowledge of the Lord, know Him as his personal Savior, and live to serve Him. We are so blessed that he is surrounded by others who help to pour truth into his little life. A special thank you to our family, friends, and our church family at PVC.

And yes, Button, Jesus will help your bunka knee!

Bad Chemistry

Science was never my favorite subject in school, nor the one that I excelled at. And when it came time for chemistry my junior year of high school, I worked really hard to keep my grades up. I memorized the elements and learned how to solve all the equations, but I always felt like it was all just a little beyond me. In the chemistry of life, however, there is one thing I am certain of. There are two elements that DO NOT mix... a stubborn 3-year-old and a fresh batch of pregnancy hormones. Every day has been more of a challenge than the one before and I am reluctant to assume it will get any better between now and July. In my previous entry I relayed the story of my failure as a parent in laughing at Daniel's indignation. "This is idiculous" is now his favorite phrase and one that has lost all humor (Not to mention that it has been joined by "Give me a break" and "Did you hear what I said?"). The following is a list of things that Daniel now deems "idiculous".

• Eating
• Having his hair brushed
• Not throwing things at his sister
• Wearing underwear
• Using the toilet
• Washing his hands
• Brushing his teeth
• Cleaning his playroom
• Wearing shoes
• Going to bed

I'm no longer laughing...

Horrible Mother

No, not my mother, me! I'm the horrible mother. It can't be a good thing when your 3 year old talks back and you crack up laughing. But sometimes I just can't help it. Case in point-

This morning, as Fernando is in the bedroom working, Daniel decides it's the ideal time to chase the dog around with one of her toys causing her to bark uncontrollably. I sternly told him to stop and that playing with Kona was not okay at the moment. That lasted all of about 5 minutes, until his male preschool brain said, "hey, I think it would be fun to play with the dog!" and he proceeded to pick up the toy and chase Kona around yet again. This time, I was much more stern, as I should have been. But, since I was confined to the couch, feeding his sister there was little I could do apart from ordering him to stop at which point he threw the dog toy down, put his hand on his hip, and said, "this is idiculous!"

What else could I do, but cover my face with Sofia's burp cloth and crack up? SO not good!