Angry Birds

I love the sounds of birds - especially in the morning.  It sounds like spring; it lulls me into thinking it will be a beautiful, sunny day regardless of how many clouds I see.  It makes me want to open the windows, sit on the porch and drink a glass of iced tea.  (Oh, who am I kidding?  It'd be a Dr. Pepper.  Just go with the imagery!)

So this is my question: If birds can wake up so chirpy and melodious, why does my child wake up pissed at the world?  Seriously?  What happened in the 37 seconds you've been awake that was so devastating you have to scream so the neighbors can hear?  I'm all for enjoying your sleep.  I don't wake up real chirpy either.  But the angry, crying fit...?  I don't get it.

Nor do I like it.

Ah, the life of a mom...

Who Do You Believe About You?

As I watched The Voice this weekend, I commented on how some contestants have grown and changed, while others seem to still struggle with pride, insecurity, etc.  One such contestant is a young guy named Moses.  As a rapper first and singer second, Moses was very unsure when paired to sing against a duo who have agreeably better voices.   As is the design of the show, he’s given a celebrity mentor to provide additional help.  Prompted to sing a few lines mirroring Christina Aguilera, Moses nervously sang, and then looked up nervously.  Lionel Richie smiled at Moses and said, “You have the voice.”  From that moment on, Moses was a different person.  In subsequent interviews, he even admitted, “If Lionel Richie tells you you have the voice, you have it.”  That reassurance gave him the confidence to perform so well, he won the next round against those better voices.

It made me think: Moses was changed dramatically once he let the approval of an expert sink in.  Who he is didn’t change, but ne longer worried about what he felt or even about his ability.  He walked with a new confidence because no matter what happened in that battle round, Lionel Richie believed in him.  I thought of all those people we watched this weekend – at the memorials, the mall, passing on the street.  I wonder how many of them would walk with a new confidence if they truly believed what an expert said about them.  No offense to Lionel Richie, but he’s got nothing on the God of the Universe.  And God loves you so much; He cares so much about what happens to you that He let His Son die so you don’t have to.  He’s assuring you, “You have the voice.  You have the strength.  You are capable of so much.” 

Once he let the truth sink in, Moses wasn’t the same.  He listened to the expert over the judges, his thoughts, doubts, fears, and it changed him.  Who do you believe about you? 

Independence

No matter how strong your will, no matter how independent your desires...you are only as strong as the hand you have to hold on to.

How You Say It

It's not just what you say...it's how you say it

I've heard that phrase most of my life.  It usually refers to my tendency to speak before thinking or share more of my opinion than someone wanted to hear.  As Brynna learns and grows, though, I see the concept in a new light.   It's not just what she says, but how she says it that will stick with me long after she's spread her wings and learned to fly.

Fifteen years from now, I’ll remember exactly how she said…

Kank you – She’s able to make the “th” sound, but for some reason, we still hear “kank you!” for every cup of milk, ride on her daddy’s bike or handful of treats (m&m’s).

Nulk – milk, or in Brynna’s case Lactaid.  Either way, she wants it with Carnation Instant Breakfast, please!

Nusmic – translation: music

Um...No kinks – Similar to “kank you” but shortened and in the negative.  I like that she throws the "um..." in there to make you think she actually gave thought to your request.

Dooze – “Brynna, do you like to ride bikes?”

                “Yes, I do”

                “Does Daddy like to ride bikes?”

                “Yes, he dooze”

Pooter – aka: computer

Love me – My all-time favorite.  Brynna learned to talk at a very early age.  (Not that we are surprised by that.)  There were a few things that she wanted to say before she really knew how or understood the meaning of what she was trying to communicate.  Each time we said “I love you” she would answer “Love me!”  As David left for work in the morning, he heard “Love me, Daddy!”  As I kissed her before bed, I got a hug and a “Love me, Mommy!”  I was proud but a little sad the day she learned that what she actually meant was “I love you.”