Hi, what's your name?

Sometimes I get tired of saying it, "ALEX,get over here!" "EMILY, you do not hit your brother!" "ALEX, EMILY stop jumping on the furniture!" Although, there are lots of encouraging moments, too, "ALEX, that's awesome!" "EMILY you're such a good artist!" and so on.... Usually by the time we leave a random store, people know their names by the countless warnings they are given, but overall, I have discovered that their names suit them so well. My mom had bought me magnetic frames with their names on them a few years ago that I have on our back door leading out to the garage and I see everyday when we leave. Today I read them again, and actually took note of the meanings of their names. And it's rather amazing how we 'knew' what their names should be before they were born!

ALEXANDER: 'A solitary and secure individual who will always try to avoid confrontation.' He is definitely a quiet one who can spend hours putting things together and taking them back apart...legos, train tracks, and constantly hooking and un-hooking speaker wires, cables, etc. He is not one to easily get upset or start an argument and genuinely cares for others' feelings, and he's extremely likable, everybody's friend and goes with the flow. The type to let it just 'roll off his back.'

EMILY: 'She has a spirited and highly emotional personality with a great sense of curiosity.' Absolutely! She cries at the drop of a hat, easily erupts, and very stubborn! She's also very creative and outgoing and is not intimidated by much! She will try just about anything!

I love that they are so different and can get along so well. They often have a lot to teach us, and I enjoy their sense of humor, energy and resilience. I look to them to remember to have fun, not be so serious, and just be yourself! I love it when they tell me, "It's ok, Mommy, I love you." God makes everything ok, and he uses them to remind me of this every day! Sometimes, I just don't listen. He gave us Alex to remind us that life is hard, but you get get by with a gentle, kind heart. He gave us Emily to remind us to try new things and have fun, not to be afraid. I thank God for them every day and to continue to give me strength and patience and guidance when raising them up in His way. I always feel that I'm not doing the best job in raising them, but when I see them do something right and caring for someone else, then I know God has touched them, and maybe I'm not doing such a bad job.