Eliana's Day with a Few Animals

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A Child: Give & Take

As I watched my precious 1 1/2 year old daughter give away her all too valuable sugars to a 9 week old bouncing baby boy who was receiving most of her mommy's attention, I was again reminded how valuable and priceless a child's love is. She spent most of her day doing the same thing as me...running to Ethan's side at the slightest sign of a whimper and quickly grabbing the tool she thought she needed to make him happy whether it be a bottle, binky, Mylicon, or just a little TLC. I never even realized how closely she'd been watching me. Apparently she had studied me the other times I kept him...that is where she got her ideas on how to fix his cry. Although she wasn't able to fully provide his needs, you could tell she had every desire to, and I almost hated to intervene. But it had to be done...before there was a gag on the binky she would try to force in his mouth...before the bottle ended up dripping all over his tiny clothes...and before the not so gentle TLC. Then there was the smile...the proudness in her eyes. She had done it, or so she thought...she had made him all better. I was suddenly relieved...relieved that I hadn't discouraged her affection for a baby and her love for another person.

As I thought about the love she showed this little man, I began to think about all the love she has shown me in the past year. I began thinking about all the times she'd forgiven me and loved me anyways. She'd forgiven me for the occasional late night bad attitude, squeezing her into an outfit one last time, getting caught up in housework, leaky diapers, and even for the

sometimes divided attention. She loved me and wanted to spend time with me no matter what. It didn't matter what I did or didn't do...all that mattered was that I was me.

So often as parents, we get caught up in what we must do for our children whether it be providing, loving, teaching, or disciplining, we often forget all the things our children do for us and all the things we can learn from them. In the book of Matthew it says, "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." When I reflected on all the love and forgiveness my daughter has shown me, I thought of this verse. I thought of how I should make myself more like her...so quick to forgive and so willing to love. She forgives me so easily and loves me through everything. She was even quick to love a 9 month old "stranger" and do anything she could to help him. These are features of God that I want to exhibit as a child of the King; yet, I found them in the life of a 1 1/2 year old.

So as I watch her grow, I learn from her. And as she grows, she learns from me. Therefore, it is a constant give and take... a matter of being a blessing and being blessed. We feed off one another. Just as with Ethan, she learned from me how to show love to him and how to care for him, but I learned from her what it truly means to love. Oh...what a beautiful thing God has done in my life!

Did Adam & Eve have a Belly Button?

I have read many articles concerning whether Adam or Eve had a belly button. When I first stubbled upon the topic, it was in a Christian magazine. I was immediately interested. It wasn't because I thought it was important or even useful, but it captured my curiosity. See, a belly button is the result of being physically attached to a mother. It is a feature that every person today has. Adam and Eve, however, were not created the same way we were. Instead, they were created directly by God. There was no mother that carried them in her womb or provided them nutrients through an umbilical cord. Therefore, did Adam and/or Eve have a belly button? Just wanted to spark the thought in everyone else's mind...

I have created a poll on this topic. It is located down the page to the left. Feel free to voice your opinion.

Mommy's Little Helper

You know I can't post "Daddy's Little Helper" without showing "Mommy's Little Helper" too!! Hope you enjoy.

Beautiful Disasters

First there is the handsome and incredibly charming love of my life....

He mumbles when he's frustrated and then gets more frustrated when you ask what he said.

He laughs at The Three Stooges and Little Rascals no matter how corny they are.

He throws his sunglasses when he hits his head getting in the car which of course breaks the sunglasses.

He sweeps the floor with the fastest fling in the East.

He used my mixer beater as a knob for the washing machine.

He adds a little football to every sport he plays-rough and tough.

Second there is the head full of curls and face full of mischief...

She loves to wear only one shoe which is usually on the wrong foot because she's Ms. Independent.

She loves to share her already slobbered on food.

She bats her eyes when she's in trouble.

Her nose is her favorite body part...hmm...wonder why.

She knows she's cute.

She changes the song if she doesn't like it.

She drinks her bath water no matter how many times we tell her not to.

The Blessing of Early Morning Prayer

This morning was the first morning in a long time that I've gotten up just to turn around and kneel down. Somewhere within each day-between sippy cups, fruit snacks, cleaning the house, and playing hero-I find time to give praises to the Lord. But I honestly forgot how great it feels to give him praises and attention before anything else. Before the Chaos. Before getting ready for the day. Before morning sugars from a precious 1 1/2 year old.

The peace I received this morning was so unique and specific to early morning prayer. And it was a peace that lingered with me the entire day. By giving God my first thoughts and attention, I felt as if I was actively putting him first in my life. I felt Him and his wonderful covering on me all day. It was incredible!

I use to always pray early in the morning, but somewhere in the hectic game of life it got shuffled around. Now I see what I once had and have recently been missing out on. So if you're one of those people that wants to try early morning prayer, but often becomes best friends with your snooze button...give it a try. IT WILL BE WORTH IT! Well... got to get to bed... I have to wake up for an early prayer meeting in the morning! ;)