The Day Our Girls Were Dedicated.

A few Sundays ago we gathered the family all together and we had the girls dedicated to the Lord.

As parents, especially parents of daughters, there is always a constant tugging in our hearts making sure that we're raising our girls the "right" way. 

Sometimes it's so difficult to know what is right and what is wrong in the area of parenting - especially now that we have a toddler who is starting to really understand things. 

I'm so thankful that we, as believers, have a firm and constant place to turn to when we have questions about how to raise our children.

We made a promise to God, each other, and to our girls that we will raise them the best that we can in the Lord. 

I pray every day for my girls.

I pray that they will be strong and independent.

That they will know that they will never, ever be alone.

That even when we as parents can't help them, that they will turn to the One who can and will help them.

I pray that they will have a light in their souls that will never grow dim or burn out. 

I pray that the world won't eat them up and that they will walk the path less traveled.

I could go on and on - I don't think the list of things that a parent prays for their children ever stops, but that's not what this post is about.

I'm thankful that Josh and I both have strong and constant parents who raised us in the Lord and that it is continuing in our children.

I'm thankful for a loving and supportive church family who lead by example for us young parents. 

*side note*

Penny cried through the entire dedication - of course.

It was one of the only times she's ever cried without stopping after about 30 seconds.

And Viv started crying because her sissy was crying - of course.

*end side note*

  

My Girly Girl

Last night Josh took Viv and I to the mall so that we could get out of the house and hang out all together. 

While I was in a store trying some things on Josh called in to me that he was going to take Viv to the toy store next door.

When I came out of the dressing room, they had come back already and Viv was holding this Rapunzel barbie doll and had the absolute biggest smile on her face.

Earlier in the week while we were at a friend's house Viv discovered barbie's and there was no going back from there. 

Josh said that when she saw the aisle of barbie's in the toy store her face lit up and she got so giddy and kept exclaiming to him and showing him all of them. 

So of course, being the softy that he is, couldn't say no to her and bought her her very first barbie! 

(Not that I probably could have resisted her charm either, hehe.)

I love this life that we have.

This girly, pink-filled joyful life.

Having daughters has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl myself and now I'm finally getting to experience the life of having girls.

Growing up with all brothers was fun - I played in the mud and caught frogs with my bare hands more often than I played with dolls (not that I would mind if my girls did that stuff too).

I can already tell that Viv is going to be an extra girly-girl. 

She is drawn to anything and everything that is pink, has sparkles or has any kind of hair to brush.

Her most favorite thing to do is to play with her dolls.

She dresses them up, she gives them pretend food, gives them baths, and acts like a little mommy to them.

She calls them by their names and carries them all over the house all day long. 

She also loves to dress up.

She will have me pick her up so that she can pick out dresses from her closet and we will spend whole afternoons trying on different dresses and shoes.

She dances around and smiles while admiring her outfits and accessories. 

I love my little girl to pieces.

She is my dream and every day I'm so thankful that she is mine.

Life is getting so much more fun as she gets older and I can't wait for all of the stages we're going to go through with her, Penelope and any other children that we're blessed with.