Essence of Parenthood ...

Sometimes the essence of parenthood is best seen in our prayers, because night after night, Paul & I speak words to this effect:

Dear Heavenly Father-

We are so thankful for our amazing daughters & how special they are.

Please help Taya to learn obedience .... (most recent plea)

And please help us to learn patience.

......

.........

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A call for help for obedience, and an even greater need - for patience & gentleness, but first and foremost, an expression of gratitude for the gift of these girls.

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No matter the difficulties parenting brings, we find ourselves in amusement, gratitude & awe over our girls every single day (currently we are losing our marbles because Taya is repeatedly coming out from nap & bed time over and over and over and over and over ... again [oh, she's been in a toddler bed for several months already, this is just random :)  - I know this is a small example of kid woes, but it's a bit real at the moment!].  If anyone is ever teetering on having children, or having a 2nd or 3rd child, take the leap!  I've thought many times how I can't imagine anything in the world that gives as much joy, laughter, learning, stretching, growing, perspective, and gratitude as parenting does.  And if there is anyone reading this who is trying & yearning for children or for another child, I would imagine your trial has the opportunity to help you stretch and grow in ways we can't fathom.  I frequently think of those I know & even don't know who so badly want to get pregnant, and every time it reminds me to strengthen my gratitude for my daughters. 
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Oh, and guess who rolled over yesterday!  Dyllan's rollin, rollin, rollin ... 

Three Year Old Fashion

Sometimes I choose Taya's outfits ...

(Today's Sunday church outfit; 3 year old poses entirely self-initiated & void of mom-instruction)

And sometimes she chooses them:

Today's Sunday after-church outfit (both outfits are entirely hand-me-downs, which is wonderful).

................

And on another note, here is Dyllan's cute smile.  There are two things that almost guarantee a smile from Dyllan:  lip buzz noises & saying 'zzzabazabazabazabazabazaba'; ironically those were the exact noises we discovered triggered Taya's smiles at this age.

Blessed Blessing Day

This little belle had her blessing in September.  We were lucky enough to have some family from Paul's side & my side travel out for the event.  I love these moments, as chaotic & exhausting as they can be, I love being with my family - and having both of our families join together to support Dyllan/us - was great.  It is nice to have both sides of your family reaquaint themselves now & again, and enjoy each other too.  Dyllan must have sensed the special day because she started sharing some major smiles the morning of her blessing when her Aunt Fawn (my WONDERFUL sister) was entertaining her while waiting for church to start. 

 

The classic after church group photo, rain or shine ... and shine/shady it was!

Games after dinner that Sunday at my parents' house.  This motion was non-stop all weekend. 

Chillin Dyllan

Here is my Baby Darlin.  Darlin Dyllan.  Chillin Dyllan.  DyllanbaJyllan.  So many wonderful names to snuggle her with.  She is somewhat chill and easy going much of the time, so it fits.  Taya loves to tromp around the house saying 'Dyllan's chillin/Chillin Dyllan/DyllanbaJyllan' - it never gets old. 

I took these photos in a few different sittings (and the others I've shared so far here, here, and on my sidebar) between about 6 & 18 days of age.  She has been the perfect practice subject for me with photography, hence the abundance!

We are all in love with her; she is now smiling, slightly doing soft laughs, and cooing up a storm. 

We're so happy to have her!