Favorite Parts

One of the your 'last minute' Christmas gifts arrived days before Christmas----blank canvas boards from an online art retailer. When the boxes arrived this past Christmas week, the two of us just sat in the kitchen floor and painted on the 'wrapping paper' since they were large boxes! You opened the boxes on Christmas Day along with the many other gifts we had for you------and you set them aside for us to paint on each. My goal was to have you paint at least one canvas each month for the next five months as we meandered through the seasons of life---winter, spring.....

January began our new journey of painting or maybe continued our journey of painting since you've been dipping your little fingers in paint for several years now.....we're still exploring...you're still learning....and I am too!

Our inspiration piece for January was a little owl for "wHooo!?!" knows what the year of 2014 will bring! You painted 'her' with a party hat and confetti falling all around her-----and pink eyelashes too! She's almost ready to fly into your art gallery....

An OWL with BIG, round EYES---whOOO! will....

Purple feathers...puff, puff....strutting her stuff...

A few Daddy hearts added to yours....

Daddy came in this evening just as you were finishing up painting your owl. With a few paints leftover, I gave you your mini easel to paint---you opted for a roll of hearts and your name----and Daddy added another roll of hearts for you too! You showed off your finished mini art as we prepared to set it aside to dry...but not before one last pose for the camera (all your idea)! Mommy's silly little artist....

Sophia ARTED!

I guess we can say that 2014 is officially here and full of colorful, unexpected moments of joy! There's no slower pace to adhere to this year either. Already the first month of the year is moving at a quickening speed full of favorite parts----and if I could capture each I still might miss the most important moments---those I'm not fully aware of...the moments that mold you into a captivating young woman that places God first in her life.....your spirit of learning about the world around you has me entranced....desiring to live intentionally for the glory of God this year---with the desires of my heart aligning to HIS so that I may fill your life with blessings...examples of grace....yet I continue to find that you teach me more about life's mysteries through your words...actions....expectations...amidst this complex set of feelings...wanderings...important crossroads.....a few of my favorite parts are:

1. Friday morning (the first day back at preschool after three icy-cold school cancellation days)---I hurriedly strapped you into your carseat to get in the truck myself....to bustle about my day before coming back to pick you up...as I pulled the strap, I voiced how much I'd miss you (even though I needed that time away from you, I longed for your companionship)---"Mommy, you don't have to miss me, I have you right here in my heart!!" Melted....my little school girl....all grown up...full of wisdom gathered from Mommy as I comforted you many, many preschool mornings/afternoons/evenings...and you buzzed into your classroom ready to see everyone with the same smile and reassurance that you gave me (but not without many hugs and kisses for Mommy)---favorite parts indeed!!
2. Friday afternoon at the lunch table at home after preschool....."Mommy, can we go to church again!?!" I didn't ask why...or what brought that request.....I just promised that we would attend church on Sunday. You tucked that response right into your heart. 
3. Saturday at home---I vividly remember you putting things in their places throughout the house, making the bed, using manners----and more! I even remember saying, "I'm so proud of you!" But the center favorite part of all of this is when the two of us lied down to snuggle after reading time....in the dark, I asked, "What was your favorite part today!" as I've asked you in the past. You answered, "You saying, I'm so proud of you, Sophia!" And the way you exclaimed that it was your favorite...resounding the way I said it to you made me realize that you need Mommy praises more often---and revisiting favorite parts in our day makes the day stick to our hearts a little tighter.
4. Sunday morning you dressed for church and twirled into the truck with Mommy---"Bye, Daddy!" Although Daddy didn't attend church with us, you were not upset (like you are when we leave him behind for trips)---that surprised me but I praised God that you desired to attend church. And when the worship songs played, you sang. Tears caught in my throat and brimmed the edges of my eyes---and when you lifted your hands in worship (like those around us) and the lady on stage singing, "Break Every Chain"....favorite.favorite parts indeed. Tug--tug--tugged my heartstrings!
5. Sunday afternoon at home the sun was shining---we were skipping nap waiting on Daddy to finish work for family time. You jumped around outside....on the trampoline....running, singing "Break Every Chain" without hesitation lifting your hand and pointing (as the lady on stage sang at church)...I didn't draw attention to your song of praise but I loved that you had embedded that song into your heart and that it was coming out during your playtime unexpectedly---joy!
6. "Mommy, do you want me to show you what's in my backpack!?" Monday afternoon......"The Dino bag!" And a BIG hug as raindrops were falling on my head.......

Sometimes favorite parts arrive unexpectedly! If we're living intentionally...doing what's important favorite parts sing their own melodies. Now to slow down and embrace them all.......

I love you little one. And you are my favorite part.......like you said tonight, ".....and being with you!" Because what's today without one another---and God in the center of our family affairs!?!