She's TWO!!!

I remember walking with her daddy the night before she was born...our compliant little girl, waiting until after his football game, as instructed...we were talking about what we would name her if she was a boy...Noah or Austin. We couldn't agree. I had a few contractions on our walk, but was still in pretty major denial that the night had finally come. Oh, how she changed my life....

That night I discovered a love I had never known before. Never before had I so clearly understood the depth of love a Father must have had for his children, to have sentenced His Son to death for them. It struck me square in the forehead... He did it so that we might LIVE. And live fully, we have in the last two years. Thanks to our vibrant, joyful, clever little lady - Emma Laine! Thank you, Jesus.

We had such a fun little Minnie Mouse party for Emma on Sunday afternoon with some of our closest friends and family. On Monday (her actual birthday) we took her to Disneyland!

 So fun to experience the happiest place on earth :) through the eyes of a two-year-old. There were a lot of squeals and "hoorays" throughout the afternoon!! In the picture above our little princess was waving at and blowing kisses to all of the Disney characters in the parade. Adorable.

A friend posted this on facebook this morning and I thought it was so fitting as we embark on this journey called parenthood for another year -

Lamentations 2:19

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches in the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord, lift up your hands to him for the lives of our children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

Our little ones may not be as physically hungry like so many children but it is universal that they hunger and thirst for us to intercede on their behalf and to raise them to be nurtured in God's word and deed. Doesn't seem to be anything more important than refining the character of our children. Feeling so privileged to do so.

I couldn't agree more! Lord, equip me. Jesus, be my guide.