To the one...

To the one who came into this world in a hurry when the doctors were not even set up for her yet and hasn't slowed down since...

Who looks at the clothes churning in the washing machine and says, "Look mommy- they're dancing!" and proceeds to spin around the room in her own interpretive dance...

Who is almost potty trained and when the mood suits her right will do it perfectly... and when she could care less, well- she could care less. 

Who has a new phrase when she gets mad or upset about something (or gets in trouble): "I quit!" and stomps off (even when that phrase makes no sense to the situation)

Who is really into girly things these days- mommy's jewelry, flowers, My Little Pony, shoes, and her hair looking good

Who has the ability to bring two grown adults to their knees... in frustration, in exhaustion, in prayer, in laughter...

Who has made up a song to sing to me about mommy smiling when I get a stern tone with her or she knows she's done something wrong.  (When she sang it to me yesterday Addison looked over at her and said, "Cadence, that's not going to work.")

Who loves to dance and has the moves to prove it

Who has more drama than the Academy Awards 

To the one who brings joy, laughter, frustration, fun, and color into our home- more colors than the rainbow...we love you Cadence Faith Pate.  It is as much fun as it is challenging to have you around.  I find it hard to believe you're three years old.   Your beautiful blue eyes, charming smile, and multi-faceted personality have gotten us all...  

Flowers for Cadence (among other things)

Well, Chris came home last week (before V-day) with some flowers for me.  Yes, I know- my husband is the bomb.  When he walked in the door Cadence saw him and got really happy and said, "Yay Daddy!  My flowers!"  We laughed and I thought that was really sweet.  I love how she's becoming really girly.  I love it except when she's raiding (breaking) my jewelry :)  I'm about to invest in some dress up clothes and jewelry! So I went out to the store the next day and let her pick out some "flowers" (fake ones).  She picked the pink ones that looked just like mommy's at home.   She has carried them around ever since and I took this pic because she kept holding them up to mine and saying "My flowers, Mommy's flowers."  So now Chris will have to come home with two surprises when he wants to surprise Mommy :)  I appreciate having a husband that demonstrates that kind of standard for his son and daughter.  I want Cadence to know and expect nothing less so when she's having suitors tripping over themselves (when she's like 30) for her affections she will know her value and how she is to be treated.  Our children will be such a tremendous blessing for their future husbands/wives.  We pray for them even now, even though it's hard for me to even think about that right now!

In other news, this mommy and daddy enjoyed a wonderful quick getaway together this week.  Not even 24 hours, but one of the best times we've spent together in 8 years of marriage.  We had been talking about it for a long time, but I just decided to do it and surprise Chris.  He's been wonderful to help so much during all of these trainings I've had, and our pace has been so maddening- we both needed/deserved a break.   Finished up the V-day weekend with us both getting to talk about sex in church this morning!  How many times do you get to do that?! We had a lot of fun (even though I felt myself blushing several times and I'm pretty sure I saw a lot of sweating in the seats), and we believe that God moved in a powerful way to bring restoration and healing in the area of intimacy.  

Life is coming at us very quickly these days- if you blink you might miss us!  In a typical day we go through a gamut of emotions and experiences.  Cadence is particularly extreme right now, one moment frustrating us to no end with potty training (still going so-so but not amazing) or temper tantrums and the next doing something like the flower story to manifest her undeniable cuteness.  Addison is a little more even keel, but he has his moments.  

I'm very frustrated because we shot a cute little clip yesterday to put on here for V-day, and I've tried like 20 times to load it on here to no avail.  I will keep trying, but who knows.  Oh well-Just imagine two cute little kids saying "Happy Valentines Day" and kissing the computer screen.  

Words of the Wise

I could fill a book with the funny, random, and precociously wise things that come out of Addison's mouth.  I thoroughly enjoy the process of him processing life as it comes at him.  For some reason a lot of our deep conversations happen on the little six minute drive to church on Wednesdays.  When I say deep I'm not being sarcastic.  At five years old he is already delving into some theologies and philosophies that I find myself searching (and praying) for ways to communicate properly and effectively to him.  We (mostly him) had a funny and random conversation on the way to church last week, so I will relay it to you here:

(Literally out of thin air:)

Addison:  Mommy, I'm just glad I'm not a girl.

Me: Why is that?

Addison: Well, because then I would have to push out the babies.  And that would really hurt. 

Me: (thinking how wise my son is and how he should always remember to appreciate that) Yep.  It really hurts.

Addison: But I do want to have kids one day.  (pause)  It's more fun when you have a family.

Me:  You will be a really great daddy.  

Addison: Yeah, but it's not up to me if I have kids.  It's God's decision.  He's the one that decides if you have a family.  

(pause)  I hope I've been good enough for God to pick me to have kids. 

Me: (pause, wondering how to answer that) Well, it's not about how good you are.  God knows in your heart you want to have kids so you will have a family one day.  He gives you the desires of your heart. 

Addison: Oh.  I don't know why some people don't have kids.  It's not very fun.

And leaving you with a conversation he had with Chris about the tooth fairy:

Chris: Maybe since you lost a big front tooth you'll get more money from the tooth fairy.

Addison:  Yeah, well maybe.  But I shouldn't get too much money because then I might love money more than God.  And some people do like money more than they like God.  And that's not good. 

Um, yeah.  I don't ever remember having a conversation about that with him.  Maybe similar things, but not that specifically.  Good grasp of the Kingdom, kiddo. Makes me wonder what else is floating around in that little head...