Changes

I've always viewed change as a good thing. I think change creates opportunities that we might not have discovered otherwise. Change opens doors. Change is one of the reasons why Alex and I are such a great fit; he squirms at the thought and I crave it. Together we keep one another in balance.

However, Riley is opening my eyes to change that I am less inclined to greet with open arms. She has developed an attitude that surpasses the nickname "drama queen". She's happy go-lucky one minute and then screaming at the top of her lungs the next. Cale's water cup is apparently far better than hers, therefore she feels the need to throw hers clear across the room to make it apparent to me that it is no good. I may also have the first child to attend kindergarten naked because I would rather send her off with no clothes on than wrestle her to the floor trying to get her dressed. Diapering is much of the same so I can only pray that she is potty-trained by age one. Oh, and hats - just forget about those! I also wasn't aware that the sign for not wanting to eat was flailing one's arms at mach speed in hopes to knock the spoon and all of the food on it towards the four surrounding walls. Perhaps then I might understand that she's full. I've also learned the universal sign for getting something you want is screaming until your face turns blue. Literally. Maybe when she passes out from lack of oxygen she'll think of something less dramatic, such as pointing. Riley has also adopted a new bodily gesture for letting me know she's not happy. She has mastered the stomping of her foot which partly cracks me up because it reminds me of my sister and her daughter, and the other half makes me want to say, "seriously, already?".

My sweet, innocent little girl is rapidly changing into someone I don't always like. I blame Eve for not listening to God and Adam for showing poor leadership. I still love her with all of my being and during her sweet moments my heart still melts, but the tantrum-throwing toddler stage is quickly approaching and this time it's me squirming at the thought of the change that has yet to come.

In other, better, news, Cale is experiencing some change himself. He has shown a complete desire to be up and mobile like everyone else. Crawling is no longer sufficient and I think he finally has enough motivation to get walking very soon. He can now stand up on his own, maintain his balance, and take a step! This is monumental!!! He's been taking two to three steps when we help him get going but this time he's figured out how to do it from his very own steam. God continues to amaze me by showing me that He has no limits for my little guy. I truly believe there are no boundaries and each day I'm reminded of how thankful I need to be in how far God has brought Cale. The work He has done with my son is indeed a miracle.

Changes, both good and bad, are a part of life. I suppose I should just be thankful that today, and only today, everyone I love is healthy and on this earth. Who knows what tomorrow could bring.