making your child stuffed animals.....

..... sounds like as much fun as it is, really! Now, I know that this creature (whom we have affectionately named Doug) is not the most beautiful stuffed pet you have ever seen (okay, it's hideous!), however, it is the first of many I will be creating, and I am excited for a new hobby (I only hope my kids, and my friends kids learn to love the little mutts!)!

first foods

Iam seriously not kidding when I say James and I didn't deserve such a spectacular kid. I was a bit (a major bit) of a punk for my folks to deal with, and James wasn't all fun in the park, as it turns out, either. But, somehow, we managed to be gifted with a baby who has slept through the night since 8 weeks old, loves people and doesn't freak out in crowds, has yet to get sick or a diaper rash, loves taking showers with mommy, wakes up in the morning only to entertain herself for up to 40 minutes cooing away at her own baby reflection in her crib mirror, has had teeth for over a month and has yet to attack mommy during a nursing session, and is a massive flirtatious smiler to all people who ask for one (especially strange older women at target). And today, when we decided it would be alright to start giving her a bit or rice cereal for the first time - she not only ate it graciously, but she ate it gracefully! I mixed it with warmed formula - making about a tablespoons worth total, and loaded up the first spoonful. Here I come, ready to watch my daughter freak out, turning her tongue into a backhoe forcing every morsel out and onto her bib. But nope. Not my daughter. She excitedly opens her mouth, and dives forward for the spoon of delicious new adventures awaiting, full of the anticipation of loving food as much as mom and dad seem to. Yep, folks - believe me fully when I say my precious perfect daughter only has rice cereal around her mouth in this picture because mommy couldn't aim the spoon right! She ate EVERY BITE of the bit I made. I can hardly believe it myself. But I can't help but think, what will it be that she finally fights us on? Let's all pray it's picking a college (nice and far away!)!

a letter to my daughter on her baptismal day

This morning was the greatest day of your life, and the second greatest of mine only to the first day I ever saw you. This morning, you were re-born, into the greatest family of all – the family of God. This morning you were baptized, washed with living water, sealed with the Spirit, and marked with the Cross of Christ forever. You have always belonged to God, and through the unfailing nature of God’s promise, God let you know it, God has chosen you! How exciting! How amazing! Today, your baptism was a sign and testimony of God’s grace, awakening, and creating faith. It is now the promises of your father, your God-parents, this new Christian family, and me to nurture your newly developing faith, to encourage your questions and inspire you to think about God’s gifts of grace as precious and yours to share, to support you as you grow and discover the ways God loves and cares for you personally, and to help you learn how to spread God’s love liberally in everything you do and say and are. I look in your giant deep blue eyes, Hazel, and am inspired to teach you this love. To teach you the truest meaning of community, and faith, and trust, and compassion. I live for the day you realize the strength you can receive from the mutual comfort and consolation your brothers and sisters in Christ share with you. And I pray that you will continue in the covenant God made with you this day by participating in the community of Christ, hearing the Word and receiving Christ’s Supper, by proclaiming the good news in word and deed, and by striving for justice and peace in all the world. May you never need to ask me for support, because you’ll always know I’m here, and my love – not unlike Gods – is unconditional, always available, and free.
And guess what else Bean? You are dually blessed with sharing a spiritual birthday with your handsome father! May you always and forever remember how special that is. And, as you blossom into a lovely young woman, and your father continues to grow and challenge his faith, I pray that you two create and keep this day as a special memorial of the blessing you have to be father and daughter.
Nakupenda Hazel – Akubariki (I love you – God bless you).

my (new) personal favorite picture ever!