Time Out!

When Isabella Faye is mad at someone who is in the car with her, she puts herself in time-out...

Mom

I wish the elder Faye could have known her spunky, fun granddaughter. I'm sure she watches over her from Heaven. Oh to be even half the mother she was! I miss her terribly, worse now than ever. I need her here to guide me, help me with this mothering thing, for which I feel so inadequate.
But I trust God to keep ever fresh in my mind the kind, witty style of parenting that my easy-going, infinitely patient mother possessed. And I trust that her legacy will live on in my sweet Isabella Faye, who carries her name.

Peaceful

So sweet!

That Face...

reminds me of God's faithfulness, compassion and unfailing love.

Dancer!

Isabella Faye's new PJ's came with a tutu. Ridiculous cuteness ensued shortly after IF donned the tutu!

Chloe

This beautiful little baby beside my sweet girl is Chloe. IF and Chloe met at church and Isabella Faye felt an instant connection with her. She played with her, fed her, sang to her, defended her and talked about her constantly.

Chloe's Mom, Shelley was my Worship Pastor so the two girls spent lots of time together, as well as Chloe's adorable older brother Micheal, while we rehearsed.

When Isabella Faye found out that Chloe was moving and wouldn't be able to play with her anymore, she cried...and cried...because Co-EE is my best fend!

Chloe is a precious baby girl, sweet and giggly and super cuddly.

We miss her lots but we're thankful for her Mom and Dad's awesome new jobs that put them closer to family and home much more with their amazing kids.

FFF: Black and White

This week's Favorite Foto Friday theme is Black and White. And, although I know Hannah meant black and white photos I couldn't resist putting my own spin on black and white...

as in, my favorite animals-penguins!

those little guys and gals are so cute!

I really want one...

and so do they!

For more Favorite Foto Friday Fun, click below!

Spring Break '10:The Reds

This year for Spring Break we took a long weekend trip to see Aunt Betsy and family in Cincinnati. Daddy was coaching at a tournament and couldn't go but Aunt K and the boys did!
Isabella Faye is a wonderful traveler and had a great time, though she did miss Daddy and I did too!
Hubby was thrilled to hear all the details of our trip (IF and I LOVE details!)and we are excited to take him back this summer!

The game was during IF's nap-time. She didn't let a stadium full of screaming fans stop her from sleeping from the bottom of the 2nd inning to the top of the 8th!

What a beautiful sight!

Fellow Reds fans...and a few (stifling vomit) Cardinals fans...

1st Base Coach Billy Hatcher and one really lucky kid!

Just a little tribute to Bronson Arroyo, my FAVORITE Red!!

Bows!

I watched Bubby and Car-Car the other night while Sagie and Aunt K went to baseball practice. They had lots of fun...

Our Church's Easter Party!

Saturday Isabella Faye and I attended our amazing church's Easter Egg Hunt. IF had a blast and has talked about it ever sense!

IF about to get her hand painted. We paint hands because if its on her face and she can't see it...she gets ticked!

Watching intently as our sweet small-group leader and her adorable daughter painted her hand.

The finished product: a fuzzy chick!

Holding Hoppy the rabbit.

She was so careful!

She even baby-talked to her...so sweet!

Bounce House!!

Cheese Mom!

I not cry! I not scared!

Last year IF screamed and refused a picture...this year, she was in love!

Making a necklace at the craft station.

Dinner with Nanny

That Face!

FFF You Pick!

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This week's Favorite Foto Friday theme is You Pick! I so love this picture. The back-story is that this dramatic speech was about her love of cheese dip at our wonderful local Mexican restaurant!


This week's Favorite Foto Friday theme is You Pick! I so love this picture. The back-story is that this dramatic speech was about her love of cheese dip at our wonderful local Mexican restaurant!

Will

I've known since Isabella Faye has been home that she is strong-willed. About six months after she was home, I decided that I would break it. I determined that strong-willed equals bad, wrong, needing over-the-top discipline. I assumed she had developed this due to lenient parenting because we were just so thankful she was home and going overboard to help her attach and feel secure. Then I blamed her caregivers, thinking they weren't hard enough on her. Then I blamed her diet, the weather, teething and on and on until finally, a few nights ago, I decided it was all my fault. I must be the worst parent ever. I screamed and cried and begged God to show me what I was doing wrong.
The next day, I began to seek advice from trusted parents, and read and read. Then I began to pray.
What God is showing me is that Isabella Faye's will wasn't made, it was born. No one is at fault, because nothing is wrong. God created Isabella Faye with that strong will and he knew when he created her that she was to be our child. Obviously, he thought we were up to the challenge.
That's another thing, Isabella Faye's strong-will is not a problem to be solved, its a challenge to be won! Hubby and I, as her parents, are not charged to Isabella Faye's will, but to it, shape it. We are to foster an environment where she can learn to control and use her strong will for good. I am realizing that there are so many good things about being strong-willed. Imagine what a force for our Heavenly Father my little girl can grow up to be - strong willed, undeterred from spreading the message of His salvation and unconditional love; strong-willed, passionately seeking to be the wife, mother, employee, friend that God has called her to be; strong willed to face the tragedies of life with determination to survive and become better, stronger, wiser through them.
Oh how wrong I've been but oh how His grace is sufficient! Isabella Faye will not be forever scarred by my misunderstanding of who she is. God will see to that.
Now I start anew. This is not to say that I won't correct and punish her when she needs it. I will have to be firm, steadfast, diligent, creative. But I will punish her with understanding when I do...praising my great God, our perfect Heavenly Father. God sees the future and He knows what lies ahead for Isabella Faye. He knows that this little girl needs this strong, independent, determined will and I thank Him, praise Him for equipping her now.