Pleeeease

Audrey is starting to learn a few polite gestures, the most obvious of which is the use of the word please.  She uses the word correctly, but does so in the typical toddler way that makes you wonder if she really understands its purpose.  For example, when she wants a snack or more food at dinner, she points, looks at you and says, "Peeeeeeez" as she squints her eyes and smiles mischievously.  If and when she does not get what she asks for, the polite request is followed by the typical toddler pouting and crying.  Thankfully, she is still young enough that the frustration wears off quickly when she gets distracted by something else.  We are also working on saying "thank you" and "you're welcome," but we still have a way to go with those.  It is amazing how quickly they learn the word that helps them get something but take their time with the ones that show gratitude.   

Audrey is also starting to use a number of other words and to call people by their names.  She still tends to leave the letters r, l, h, and d largely unpronounced.  She has, however, learned to vocalize the "ka" sound.  So, now the words Jack, milk, walk, work, school, stuck, etc. are her favorite to say.  Unfortunately, I can't tell the difference between walk and work when she says them.  I have to use context to decipher.  I used to wonder how anyone understood toddlers, but now I know that it just comes from a lot of exposure to the same child.  When we visit with friends and family, I often feel like an interpreter.  Nonetheless, I am constantly amazed at her ability to learn new words and quickly begin to use them in the correct context.

Preparing our Hearts

The Christmas season always seems to be a challenge for so many people who try to make it perfect for their families and themselves.  If I were to deny that I fall into this group, I would be lying.  This year, I started advent with a women's event at church where a speaker talked about her best and worst Christmas, and she talked about how the period leading up to Christmas, called advent, is a time of waiting and preparation for Christ's coming.  Now, I have been a part of advent worship for years, but this is the first time that I really thought about advent in this light.  I sing the carols that ask for Christ's coming. I have opened the windows on my advent calendar.  I have even been a part of lighting the advent wreath.  So why did I miss this ever important key part of the Christmas story? 
That question has been on my heart and mind since that event 2 weeks ago.  The conclusion that I have come to is that I was so consumed with having the perfect Christmas that I forgot to partake in the season of advent.  I was only focused on the holiday celebrations, putting up the perfect decorations, buying the perfect gifts for people, fitting in a little time with all of our family, etc.  I did not even think about the wait that advents commemorates.  That is, the wait for a Savior, who came once and will come to us again.  In doing so, I always fell short in making my Christmas celebration genuine, and in the end it seemed like a let-down.  I would stress out about the material parts of Christmas and forget to focus on the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. Yes, spending time with family is an important part of Christmas, but it should not consume all of my thoughts and efforts. My heart will truly rejoice when there is true anticipation of something wonderful. 
Audrey is still a little young to remember this Christmas, but I am glad that God prompted me to start thinking about this while she is still so young.  Other than trying to play with ornaments on the tree and the thrill of opening gifts, I don't think Audrey has noticed that it is the Christmas season.  As she grows, I hope that we can impart to her the reason that we celebrate Christmas.  I want her to see past the gifts, Santa Claus, pretty decorations, and family gatherings to the most wonderful gift that God gave us in his son Jesus. All of those things are fun, but they shouldn't overshadow God's gift.  That said, I pray that God will help me to use all of the festivities of advent to truly prepare the hearts and minds of my family for the coming of our Savior. 

Picking and Choosing

I thought that I would have at least 3 years with  complete control of Audrey’s wardrobe as a mother.  Evidentially, I overestimated by double.  Audrey is beginning to have an opinion about her clothes.  At this point, I am thinking comfort governs more than fashion, but I could be wrong.  Nonetheless, she picked out her own new shoes when we went shopping Friday.

I did not set out that day necessarily intending to buy new shoes for her.  My goal was to look around and see what size she needed and what is available in terms of fall styles.  We stopped at one shoe store, and Audrey set her sights on the first pair of shoes we tried on.  They are difficult to describe, but very cute I assure you.  The color is sort of a metallic, plum-brown color and they have pink accents.  They are a cross between a tennis shoe and a T-strap.  I know…they don’t sound very cute at this point, but I assure you, as much as I want Audrey to be an independent individual, I do practice my influence when I feel her decision is all wrong (i.e. our frequent disagreements over playing with dog food and dumping her drink on the ground so she can smear the liquid all over the floor). 

We are spent Labor Day with my mom’s family and all of Audrey’s cousins.  She had  a good time playing with her cousin Ryan. She was also having fun pretending to drive her daddy’s stand-up Jet Ski.  There are a bunch of pictures in the Labor Day folder that show all of her weekend exploits, including the Tiger tailgate before the Mizzou v. Illinois Border Rivalry football game.  We didn’t go to the game, but the tailgate was only a few blocks from our house. You’ll have to check out all of the pictures I added to the Summer 2010 album too; I just got a bunch from my mom.