Something about her Spirit!

The countdown continues, just over five weeks left until the arrival of our little man!  With the rush of the holiday season, it seems to be going by so fast.  I guess I should be grateful for that at the end of my pregnancy.  We are preparing Addisyn that the baby in mommy’s belly will be coming out soon, she’s understanding about as well as any 1 1/2 year old can. Although Addisyn is not your typical 1 1/2 year old!  There is something about her… something inside of her that captivates people.  I know, I know. I’m her mother, so I don’t get to say that without a certain amount of bias being assumed.  However, it’s true.  Everywhere we go, Addisyn makes connections with people and develops friendships. It’s incredible.

Being an early talker, no one ever believes that the tiny little girl greeting them is 4 months shy of 2 years old.  She’s never met a stranger, and she grabs the attention of everyone around her.  This is wonderful… except on those trips where you actually want to get in and out of the store and you’re required to stop and talk to all the truly nice and sweet people that she grabs the attention of. Each shopping trip takes a little bit longer because of my 1 year old socialite that accompanies me everywhere.  It’s no secret that we are huge fans of Chick-Fil-A! We admittedly eat there at least weekly, and I continue to work with the Chick-Fil-A mom’s club to bring news and attention to all of their upcoming events and products! Addisyn has truly captivated the hearts of all of the staff at one of our local Chick-Fil-A restaurants that we frequent the most.  It’s not a visit that she doesn’t walk in and be happily greeted by her “buddies.”  When we pull in the parking lot her first words are “chicken in there!” Because she is infatuated currently with dipping her food in any sauce available. Shortly after the words “ice cream” will follow because there isn’t a visit that she isn’t given a token from her buddies. She comes home with ice cream, cows, and even acquired these sweet reindeer antlers on her last visit.  She’s somewhat of a star when we walk in there, and she loves it!

It is just something about her spirit.  She is inquisitive, and she is intelligent.  She loves to communicate with others.  But there is still something about her spirit that even as her mother, I don’t believe I’m fully aware of yet.  There is something that attracts people to her.  Possibly her innocence, possibly her adorable blue eyes and blonde hair, possibly the method in which she sings the words that she shocks everyone with speaking, it could be her crazy cute laugh and smile, or her hilarious playful nature.  But somehow, I think it’s more than that.  Our prayer for Addisyn since we were awaiting her arrival has been that she allow the light of Jesus to shine through her all the days of her life…and I believe that is what captivates the attention of everyone.  Addisyn has a heart for Jesus already.  We talk about loving Jesus, we sing about loving like Jesus (Addy will sing this on her own) and we pray to Jesus frequently.  There is no better sound than hearing your daughter sing the words, “I want to love like you Jesus,” without being prompted.  These amazing qualities that she has been giving are truly gifts from God.

Our job as parents when our children are loaned to us from God is not only to guide them and teach them to become successful citizens of society, but to give them the support necessary to live a life filled with and driven by Christ.  It was always something that I thought would be a focus as Addisyn got older, but I’ve realized they are never too young to start picking up on and adopting habits of their parents.  Addisyn watches, she learns, she even amazes us with the things she says and does. Therefore it’s so important that I pray for guidance each day that God will allow me to be a positive influence on her life.

I am incredibly blessed to be the one chosen as her mother, and I take that job more serious than any other title I’ve held in my life.  I look around at my home that is decked out in holiday cheer, and I am thankful for so much.  I am so thankful for my hard-working husband who provides us a beautiful home and supports all of our needs so that I can stay home with my children and support their needs.  I am so thankful that God has chosen Justin and I to lead and guide these children to grow and fulfill His will.  I am so thankful that I get to experience each day the learning, the excitement, the laughter, and the sheer joy that Addisyn brings to our lives.  I can only imagine the excitement of watching this little girl’s spirit grow and blossom, and hope that the Lord provides for all of her needs to do so. What a blessing she is!

What’s up with Addy at 20 months?

• She loves everything Christmas. Lights, the tree, music, the wrapped presents, the ornaments on the tree (that she rearranges 15 times a day), jingle bells, Popcorn her elf, Christmas movies, Santa, and more. She is captivated by the Christmas season…she might get that from her mother!
• She is around 24 lbs., and continues to get taller each day it seems!
• Her favorite things include playing with her buddies, anything Frozen, baby dolls, books, coloring, and her doll house, Gunner, and being outside.
• She loves to go “shopping” and adores her Daddy like nothing else. She is truly a Daddy’s girl.
• She’s excited about becoming a “big sister” and frequently talks about her “little brother in mommy’s belly”.