Is that Jesus?

While watching Billy the Exterminator, we saw a preview for some show called Person of Interest. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Mike, isn't that Jesus?
Avery: (confidently) No, that's not Jesus.
Mike: What? No, it's not.
Me: Look! It is. I think it's Jesus.
Avery: (more confidently) Mom! That is NOT Jesus!
Mike: Hmmm, not Jesus. I think it's the Count of Monte Cristo.
Me: (eye roll) Mike, Jesus IS the Count of Monte Cristo.
Mike: Really? Huh.
Avery: Maaaaaaaaaaahm, that isn't Jesus!
Me: Avery! You're right. That isn't Jesus. Do you know what Jesus looks like?
Avery: I not know.

I often wonder about Avery's concept of Jesus and God. She knows that Jesus is God's son. She knows we pray to Them and They help us and heal us. She also knows that God made everything. She understands that They want us to love people and treat them nicely. I've never considered how she envisions them.

There is a painting of Jesus in the "lobby" of our church office. Our Lead Worshiper, Chris McLaughlin painted it. Whenever we stop by, Avery stops and stares at the painting for a few seconds. She'll turn and inform me that it's Jesus. I'm not sure if it's the size of the painting (like 6'x8') or the message in the eyes, but she is in awe of it. It moves me because I that's my prayer for her. That she'll have that same awe for Him when she fully understand who He is.

One thing she does understand - Jim Caviezel is NOT Jesus.

And now you also know that Mike has little to no cinematic knowledge.


How do/did your little ones personify Jesus and God? 

The Gamble

I think when we choose the father of our children, we make a bit of a gamble. If you're like me, your husband was not around small children . . . hardly ever. I remember when we were first dating/married, I would have to help navigate Mike around little kids. Literally navigate. He claimed he couldn't see anyone or anything below his knees. An interesting claim considering he is quite agile with his feet, being a hiker, climber and caver.

Mike &Kids

One thing Mike did have going for him regarding fatherhood was his great respect for his own father.  Growing up, he spent a lot of time with his dad on the farm - building a barn, making syrup, chopping firewood, spending summers replacing windows and siding, etc. His dad was, and is, regarded with high esteem in his church and community. Notably, his respect for his dad continues to grow as their relationship deepens.

Well, I hit the Daddy jackpot. Mike is a seriously amazing husband. He works hard for us all day and is ready to be a dad once he gets home. He tells me that he purposefully listens to country music on the way home from work to transition his brain from work to home. (Apparently country music is mindless enough to enable the transition.) He's given up many things that he loves because it's not quite the right time in life for such things.

Mike, Avery & Tarantula

Avery loves her dad. Every time we pull into the garage and she sees his truck is gone, she tells Nathan, "Nope, Dad's not home yet. Be home soon, k?"  Was Mike uncomfortable with Avery as an infant. Sure. He cradled her with two arms when he undoubtedly only needed one arm. Eventually Avery wanted to join him outside to do dad jobs. She became daddy's outdoor girl. They search for cows in the desert. She loves riding in the jeep and knows about the jeep wave. She can tell you lots about desert animals, bugs and reptiles because of her time with him. She often informs me that she likes Dad best.
 

Nate helping Mike fix a tire.

Nathan can't get enough of his dad. If Mike comes home from work and does not immediately pick him up, he voices his disagreement quite loudly. If Mike is holding him and I try to take Nate from him, Nate will swipe his arm back and forth to keep me from taking him. Mike refers to it as the "forearm shiver." Nate also loves to be outside and watch cars and trucks - a great age appropriate father/son activity. I know Mike is just so excited to have a son.

He's a great man who loves God. He takes care of me more than I understand. He doesn't mind that the house is a mess. He encourages me that I'm spending my time wisely. What I appreciate the most, though, is that I know Mike loves me. His love for me and my children is quite possibly the most attractive thing about him. Not to sound redundant, but he's amazing.

Were you pleasantly surprised by your husband's fathering abilities? What special things does he do with your children?

A Little Glimpse

Nathan is quite easy going. He's easy to take on outings and he really enjoys new places. He likes to people watch. He's fearless and will "off-road" as far as his chunky knees will take him. He's a typical boy with all things tactile and moving. When he gets excited, he lets out short bursts of squeaks. Much like a new sneaker on a freshly polished gym floor. He's great!

We went to the mall today with Jessica - of Quirky Bookworm - and her daughter E. We had an awesome time. School is back in session and Park Place has revamped their play area. It is full of apparatuses for children of all sizes and they have been buffed to sticky perfection for climbing of all sorts.

As we made our way around the play area, I observed an interesting interaction. Nate knows what he wants and typically goes for it. So, as he finished climbing up a tree to then go down a slide, he was met by a boy sitting at the top. He was about four. Much to his dismay, Nate proceeded to give the boy a bit of a push. Nothing mean or even rough, just a hand on the shoulder and a little nudge. The boy just stared at him. Then Nate placed his other hand on him. Nudge, nudge. After removing his hands, I asked the staring boy if he was going to go down the slide. He snapped out of his astonishment and went on his way. Then Nate attempted to face plant his way down the slide.

My initial reaction was excitement. Yes, this kid will not be afraid of anyone. Regardless of size. Awesome. But as I continued to think about it, fear trickled in. This kid will not be afraid of anyone. Regardless of size. Sigh. Nathan seems far too sweet to turn into a bully, but perhaps he would defend someone against a bully. Or he'll be a running back charging through gigantic defenders. Or he'll be a lawyer defending the innocent against evil drug lords . . . One more thing to add to the prayers.

I personally enjoy seeing my children's personalities as they develop, but it can be stressful too. Especially if you have a vivid, over analyzing imagination!

Does your child have a positive characteristic that causes a bit of fear to stir in your heart? Tell me about it.

The Yoga Mom

Yep, the "yoga mom." You know who I'm talking about. She's skinny and cute in her tight yoga gear. Her hair is perfectly ponied with a few wisps strategically out of place.  She's got her makeup on and her decaf double latte with extra foam. She's talking - loudly - with her bff (another yoga mom - they travel in packs) while their boys rambunctiously play together. And, because she looks so great at nine am and obviously has lots of friends, she must be a great mom.

There's a set of yoga moms at Avery's school. My eye is always drawn to their assumed perfection. They seem to have it all together and everything figured out, while I barely get a shower. Apparently they have time for makeup! Who knew that was possible? My only reason for putting on makeup is so I don't run from my reflection if I happen to catch a glimpse of myself in a window. Seriously! It is easy to let my insecurities get the better of me, especially when playing the comparison game.

Now, I'm not one to be all "spiritual" but I feel that God has greatly encouraged me recently. As I've been doing Beth Moore's So Long, Insecurity study, I was reassured this week by the thought of being a dignified woman. Proverbs 31:25 states that the virtuous woman is clothed with strength and dignity. Thank goodness!  It totally boosts my mojo to be reminded that God is about matters of the heart and not so much about the outward things. If you are like me, we can get so stuck on the outward things.

So here's to wearing dignity instead of yoga gear!  Luckily, wearing honor makes us all a bit more attractive :-)

What "type" of mom/woman makes you feel insecure? How do you snap out of it?

The Variance

Many people have told me that your first two children will most assuredly be complete opposites. I wouldn't say that Avery and Nate are complete opposites, but they definitely have their differences.  I'm thinking of making this topic a weekly one, so this week's specific variance is:

Social Interaction

Typical Sneer

Nate, Avery and I went to a high school volleyball match last night at a school where I used to coach. Before we got out of the car, I had to remind Avery that there would be people in the gym that were going to say hi and tell her that her hair looked nice and that she needed to be nice and say hi. She had a Rapunzel hair piece in - that's why the hair comment was relevant.  Anyhow, Avery always needs to be reminded that the appropriate response to people addressing her is to actually respond. It amazes me the amount of people who tell me that it's okay if she doesn't say hello. No! It is not okay! Anyhow, as torturous as it was, she did quite well being appropriately social.

Typical Smile

At the same match, we were sitting in the bleachers and Nate was attempting to wriggle his way to freedom every three minutes. Every so often he would stop wriggling and I realized he was holding the attention of the people sitting behind us. He was flirting with a mom and making faces at some scary looking man. He was also enjoying the ogling faces of a couple of high school girls. Mike and I often comment on how weird it is to take Nate to a grocery store and have him smile at most of the people walking by.  When Avery was Nate's age, she would just sneer at people. It was not uncommon for people to tell us, "I feel like she's judging me." I would typically respond, "She probably is." Ha!

Please understand that I love this difference in my children. I think both temperaments have their benefits and it will provide endless entertainment when they get older. 

Are your children opposites in social interaction like mine? Have a funny example?