Imitation.

It is said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.  I think imitation is the largest form of self-discovery.  For those of you who might be new to Teagan Tales, Teagan is 2 1/2.  For those of you who have been reading since Teagan was born...she is now FLIPPIN' 2 1/2.  Can anybody else not wrap their heads around that? Also, Kyra Mae is 7 months...where did that come from?

Anyway, Teagan is showing me who I am and how she sees me.  There are good things, not so good things and some necessary things.  Teagan is really into baby dolls right now and treats them like how she sees me act.  Occasionally it's "Shhh, shhhh baby, I got you" or "I got you baby, I got you, it's okay".  Other times it's "I comin' baby, I comin'" or "Just a minute, baby".  There are a few times I even hear her say "right now baby, right now".  And then there are the feedings, poopy diaper changes and time outs.  Yes, she puts her babies in time out.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.  How my girls view me.  I want to be a great example for them.  I want them to see me as a loving but fair and firm mommy.  I want them to see me love their daddy with an intensity they can only pray to match.  I want them to see me reading my Bible, praying to our Lord without abandon and I want them to see me grow in my walk with Him.  I want them to see me being kind to people.  Not just people like me but especially people not like me.  People who are extremely different from me.  I want my girls to have a helping heart.  I want them to learn that from me.  I pray that I can teach them to be adventurous and to go. see. do.  I want them to always see the world through innocent but not naive eyes.  

I am so thankful that I have an example of these things in my mom, who is also an example to my girls.  I am equally thankful for the friends I have been blessed with.  I have friends who love the Lord and seek to help my girls grow closer the the Lord just as they do their own children.  I even have friends who are willing to discipline (not physically) when I am not around or even when I am and can't get to, currently just, Teagan.

Have you thought about how your children view you, lately?  How they will remember what you said and did when they were young?  What is going to stick out to them when they officially start forming their long term memories?  Just something to think about...



Also, a little something random.  They reset the numbers over at Top Baby Blogs...think you could spare a vote for us? Thanks!

        

Dear Girls.

My Dearest girls,

Your actions over the last few weeks have kept me going.  Your smiles, your laughs, even your tears.  They have brought me back to reality often and pulled me away from the simplicity and monotony of auto-pilot. 

The trek up the proverbial mountain has been a long one and we're not quite to the top yet.  Tonight, I remember we are on our way to the top.  Tonight I am remembering to turn around and look at how far we've come, not focus on how much farther we have to go.  Sure, there are a few ruts and intentions in the mud where we've slid a little but there are so many more footsteps up than there are places we've fallen or slipped down.  There are times where there are four sets of footprints, sometimes two, sometimes just one.  The LORD has blessed us with each other and such amazing family and friends.  

I hope we are all able to look back on this crazy time and realize just how much we're growing during this time.  How strong we have gotten and are getting.  I pray that you both realize that your daddy and I have leaned on the Lord, more and more over the last few months and despite the trials we are clinging tight to Him.  I pray your hearts continue to grow closer to Him with every step we take.

Forever & Always,

Mommy  

Peek-a-boo, Kyra Mae!

Sweet things she does.

Tonight, Teagan help me put Kyra Mae to bed.  Normally I have her sit in the corner, next to the rocking chair on the floor and read a book so I can get Kyra fed and rocked a little and put down.  

Tonight she wanted to stand, she wanted to help.  She looked at Kyra's head and started to touch her and then she looked at me, normally I would have told her no because it gets Kyra all excited but tonight I just let her.  She rubbed her head and then her cheek and said "I just rub her" in a sweet whisper, I smiled with tears in my eyes.  Then she leaned over and placed a kiss on her head and said "I just kiss her, night-night".  I just smiled and leaned to Teagan, touching my forehead to hers.  An understanding passing through us. One of pure and innocent and unyielding love.

No matter what stressors I have during the day, whether it be work or just in general, there is something about the love my two girls have for each other, already, that just wash them all away.  

Summer Day List.

Our Summer 2012 list...

movie nights at the park

neighborhood cookouts

kiddie pool on the deck

swimming sans clothes or diapers (the girls only, thank you very much!)

sprinklers in the yard

sidewalk chalk

dancing in the warm NC summer rain

jumping in the puddles without shoes

play dates at the park

potty training

fireworks and picnics

nights on my great-grandma's blanket admiring the amazing things God can create

books. lots of books

walks around the neighborhood

running

beach with friends

getting away for our anniversary, hopefully

mommy and teagan time

daddy and teagan time

mommy and kyra time

daddy and kyra time

lovin' and livin' as a family of four

Find other summer bucket lists here: 

Wednesday with Words!

Getting ready to watch Lion King for the first time.  Kyra Mae got to listen to it. Teagan lasted 10 minutes.  Guess that's what we get when we don't let our kiddos watch TV...lol

*Also linking up with Carrie with Children*

A little Teagan.

Care free. 

Exploring. 

Giggling. 

So full of wonder and curiosity.