Don't Put Me Down.

Each day that I bring Reagan home from preschool, she falls asleep in the car.
And when I pull in the garage, she awakens just enough to whisper, "Don't put me down."
She wants me to carry her from the car to her bedroom for her nap.

And each day that's what I do. I never put her down. But still, she reminds me, "Don't put me down." I think she knows I'm going to stick to my word.

I think she knows I'm not going to put her down. But she's in the habit of relying on me. She's in the habit of calling to me for help. And so I let her. And I never ask her to stop asking me to not put her down. I just keep carrying her in, never putting her down.

This week has been very hard. I am tired. There is a long road ahead for my family.

And this week I so perfectly understand Reagan's never-ending "Don't put me down."

Because this week, I've been saying those same words over and over again. And each time, I hear the same response:

I will never put you down.

You are mine.
My unfailing love surrounds you.
I am your refuge and strength.

This Week...

1. Connor decided to start walking more than just a few steps.

2. Reagan decided to cut her own hair. And I decided to act calm on the outside but call 911....I mean Belk Salon and make an appointment ASAP. Pictures soon....

3. Landon decided to exaggerate things I say. I say, "No, you can't play video games." He hears, "I'm never letting you play video games for the rest of your life." So he says to me, "You never let me play video games!!!" (in a crazy loud voice) And then we have the billionth conversation about how we shouldn't overly generalize mommy and exaggerate mommy and say things in a rude voice to mommy and then I say things like, "I WAS IN LABOR FOR 52 HOURS WITH YOU AND YOU'RE THE REASON I HAVE STRETCH MARKS A MILE LONG!!!!!" (Not really. That would be ridiculous. I'm not a meanie. But my heart thinks that stuff on the inside because I'm a huge sinner working every second on patience with my mini-me....er....I mean...my strong-willed child.)

4. Connor decided he can't stand mashed potatoes which is weird because he eats everything. EVERYTHING. Except mashed potatoes.

5. Reagan decided that when she grows up she wants to be a mommy.

6. Landon decided that he needs snuggle time with mommy every morning before getting dressed. And I love his decision! (If you know Landon, you know that physical touch has never been a big love language for him....even as a baby...he's always, always needed his own space and he never enjoyed being rocked or held for very long. So I'm loving his new little need for some morning-mommy-snuggle-time.)

Happy Halloween! Go Cocks!