Sunday, September 18, 2011

Daddy/Daughter

I actually stole this from a friends' blog:/ It was just way too cute though and I had to share it!


50 Rules For Dads of Daugthers
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.


16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Little Known Things...

I decided to share a little known thing about our newest upcoming addition, Shepard. He is a gift. He is a miracle. And I know you're thinking, "well sure! All babies are!" That is absolutely true. But our little Shep will have a story that has a little slant to it:)
First off, this little blessing was a certain surprise! We thought we were done and were actually moving forward in life, with our three growing and changing. It was actually much easier to go places and do things. Everyone was potty trained and slept in their own bed. We didn't have to pack up a u-haul to stay overnight somewhere. You know...easier:)
Well, when I found out I was expecting #4, it took me a little while to settle into the idea. But always in the back of my mind, was the fear of miscarriage and losing this little one. It has happened a couple of times before right at the end my my first trimester, and it is so devastating! You don't realize how much you dream about that little life until it is no longer. So, I was skeptical about the same thing happening, obviously.
When I was about 10 weeks along, I borrowed a doppler from a friend, to try to find the heartbeat. That is early, and I know that a baby can be difficult to track down at that gestation, but I've been able to do it in every other pregnancy at that time, so I didn't think this time would be any different. But it was different. I couldn't find that precious heartbeat. I listened, and listened, and listened. For almost an hour, I searched. I was so heartbroken. My fears had become a reality. I told Scott, and we kept it to ourselves for a bit. I knew that I needed to see my doctor and let him try to listen and do an ultrasound to confirm. But it was a Friday night. It was no use to try to do that over the weekend and I wanted to see my doctor personally. I asked Scott not to tell anyone. I didn't want anyone to know until I was sure. First off, if you know me, you know that I don't like to make a spectacle of things. I'm usually pretty calm and I certainly don't like much to be made over ME! It embarrasses me. I knew that it wasn't definite, but in my gut I just thought it was gonna play out like the other two sad endings.
We prayed thru the weekend, and I had to confess to the Lord that I believed wholeheartedly He was a miracle worker, and very capable of making a heart beat, or stopping it for that matter! I can believe with confidence for others, but my confession would lie in the fact that, I didn't believe He would do that for me. I thought my story would end sadly. Still believing He was sovereign and in control, and good, but I am not the one who would receive the miracle.
We went to the doctor first thing Monday morning and told the doctor everything that had gone on. He decided to try to doppler first. He listened, and listened, and listened. And then...the most beautiful sound filled the room. A tiny little heartbeat whooshed. He let us listen for an unreasonably lengthy amount of time:)
The Lord was very near. You see, the truth is, no matter the outcome of that story, it didn't change who God is. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! But He chose, in that moment to remind me tangibly that He is the Miracle Worker. That I am His and He cares about me. I truly believe that either He made Shepard's heart beat again, or He hid it from me to show me Himself through the whole journey. Either way, He reminded me that He truly knows my every need. That He hears my every cry. That He is worthy of my praise.
Again, no one really knew about this story, but I felt like it would be a great thing to write down, so that I could tell our little Shep just one more reason he is so very special:) I don't like to draw attention to myself, but at this point I think that it is the Lord who can be made much of;)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

What's up...

Hello long lost blogging friends!! It has been quite some time, so I thought I'd take just a minute to update:) Lots of things have obviously taken place since I blogged like a bajillion years ago!! The biggest of which, is the rapidly approaching arrival of our fourth baby:) We are naming him Shepard Jonathan, and my other children already endearingly call him "Shep":) I am 26 weeks preggo and am honestly living life like I'm not gonna have a baby in my arms in less than 10 weeks most likely! We were not anticipating having number 4, but the Lord had different plans for us! So, because of my lack of planning for more children, I subsequently gave away every baby item, every piece of maternity clothing, baby toy...etc. away. All we had was our crib, which a few days before we found out we were expecting, had offered to give to another couple who was expecting their first baby! I had to take that offer off the table:/ I believe wholeheartedly that the Lord will provide for all our needs. It's just feels so crazy to be in this position!
As far as my pregnancy goes, it has followed suit like the others. Same song, different verse:) I'm contracting like a champion, so I have to take it super easy, which is kind of a ridiculous statement with a husband and children ages 3, 5, and 7:) We are hoping to avoid bedrest this time around. The odds are not likely, but we can still hope, right? You can pray with us that our sweet boy will stay inside until his appointed day of arrival, and that he will be healthy and strong and full of life at that time! In the meantime, I am gonna try to get my act together and start getting some things for this baby so we'll be ready for him when he gets here!
Until next time...