Adoration

Katelyn is in such a precious stage right now. Oh, there are certainly moments when she shows a stubborn, almost devious side that makes me want to scream, but for the most part she is just such a sweet, happy, lovable little girl.  She pursues everything in life with wild abandon. She loves her toys, her ABCs, her crayons...and most of all, her family.  If Greg or I come into a room after being gone for a few minutes or a few hours, we can count on hearing a gasp and an excited, "Mommy!" or "Daddy!" while she runs toward us with an enormous smile and arms upraised for a big hug.  I never have to wonder whether or not my daughter adores me.  Seriously, does it get any better than that?

I know this won't last forever.  As we grow we learn self-control, and while I'm sure I'll appreciate that in some areas of Katelyn's life, I know there will come a time when I will miss that wild adoration.  Someday I'll have to settle for an occasional quick hug and maybe a kiss on the cheek.  We grow up to me such mannerly, reserved, stoic people, compared to what we were like when we were kids.  For the most part, I think that's a good thing.  But I wonder if maybe we should show a little abandon and adoration from time to time?

"One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, 'Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.'" (Luke 18:15-17, NLT)

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:14-16, NLT)

As I was thinking about sweet Katelyn last night, these verses popped into my head, and I thought about how we typically approach God: perhaps gathered together in a traditional worship service, in our particular seats, half-heartedly singing old hymns and letting our minds wander to what's for lunch while we politely bow our heads for prayer; or maybe dozing off through our Bible reading before offering some variation of the same prayer we pray every day either when we get up in the morning or before we go to bed; or maybe even approaching God with some trepidation and doubt about whether He'll even hear us, because He is this great, holy, important, powerful being and who are we, really, to bring our petty concerns to Him?  And I wondered if maybe sometimes God wishes we would show a little wild, abandoned adoration.

Well, of course we can't run to God with arms outstretched, shouting, "Daddy!!"  Or can we?  After all, thanks to the price Jesus paid on the cross, we who are led by His Spirit are not fearful slaves but His own children.  He stood in the gap between sinful mankind and a holy God so that we could come to Him as children.  That is the sweet, rich, pure love that He showed for us.  Why would we think that we must always show our love to Him in ways that are unemotional, respectful, traditional, and maybe just a little hesitant?  Last night, as I pictured the ways we so often show our love for God versus the way Katelyn demonstrates her love for me, only one of those pictures brought me to tears.

I don't know about you, but I want God to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I adore Him.  And if that means going a little wild from time to time, I think He might be okay with that.  In fact, maybe it would really touch His Father's heart.

Ponies!

Katelyn is definitely a girl after my own heart. During a trip to Big R today, we told her she could pick one critter from the rack of Schleich plastic animals. She considered several horses and then settled on a cute little gray spotted pony. Greg suggested naming the pony Duchess but after I pointed out that it is clearly a boy pony, we decided to go with Gus. I just thought it was great that out of all the animal options, Katelyn definitely wanted a horse. That's my girl.

This afternoon, I watched I'll Have Another win the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the elusive Triple Crown, by a neck. What an exciting race!! I am eagerly anticipating watching him run the Belmont next month, and hoping that after 34 years we'll finally have another Triple Crown winner. I've always loved horses and horse-related sports (except for polo, which I've never really understood). Greg does not share my love for horses at all, although he did get pretty excited while we were watching that race earlier. Anyway, it's nice to hope that maybe Katelyn will share my love and appreciation for all things horsey as she grows up.

Dear Katelyn (2.0)

Today is your second birthday. I don't know how much of it you'll remember, but it has been a great weekend. On Saturday we met your cousins' family in Denver for an awesome time at Lego KidsFest; I wasn't sure we would get Ryan and Uncle Jamie out of there without calling security. You and Emily had a blast going from station to station looking at and playing with things. You really liked the Duplos, and thought Lego Friends were almost as cool as Megan did.  The big hit for everyone was Lego Lightning McQueen!

After a fun day in Denver, we headed home to Pueblo where we hosted Uncle Jamie, Aunt Melissa, Emily, Ryan, and Megan overnight so Jamie could preach in our church on Sunday morning.  We had a great birthday lunch after church, and sang "Happy Day to You" (as you like to sing) many times over.  You were so brave and cute as the "other" Dukes headed home after lunch (no crying at all), and you headed to your nap.  After your nap, you looked out the door and said, "All done, Rynan."  I guess you knew that they really did go home.  We went for a walk with Rusty and Lucy, and then headed to bed.

Today, we woke up to a beautiful day in Pueblo.  Your mom and I spent a lot of the day planning for your party this evening, and I think you knew it!  You ate WAY too much ice cream at Sam's Club, and this evening, we hosted your friends Bethany, Matalyn, Ava, and AJ for your "official" birthday party over at the church.  A few more friends had planned to come, but other things came up.  After the party, we talked to Gram on the phone, and Grandma and "PawPaw" sang "Happy Birthday" to you before you went to bed.  Your mom said you didn't want to go to sleep, and that you knew a special day was coming to an end. And so, the three-day birthday has come to a close (although I've heard rumors of cupcakes tomorrow at Mom's Day Out).

It is hard to believe that you are two years old.  I am thankful for the joy and fun you bring to your lives.  I pray that your cheerful, generous spirit follows you throughout your life.  I am continually amazed at how smart you are.  I don't know anyone who doesn't "just LOVE" you.  We are so fortunate that we have so many friends and family that give so much to us.

I pray daily that you will trust Christ as Lord of your life.  I know you are smart, and I know you hear us talk of Jesus.  I can't control what you believe, but I do pray that my life is a testimony of God's grace and love for you through Jesus.  I wonder what you "will be" when you grow up.  Sometimes, I even wonder who you will marry (if I let you get married).  You are so bright, talented, and kind-hearted.  I pray that Jesus is number One in your life for eternity.

Thank you for blessing my life, my precious, beautiful little girl.  May the Lord protect you and guide your life in His grace.  May my life be a testimony of His love for you.

Love,
Daddy

Jesus Loves Me, part 2

We've been singing "Jesus Loves Me" at bedtime with Katelyn since we started her bedtime routine.  For awhile now I've had a suspicion that she knows the song, but was content to let us sing it for her. In the past week, I noticed that while she was playing, she'd start saying, "Jesus...Yes!" and wondered if she might be singing the song herself. Then she other night, she actually sang parts of it with us at bedtime, and then insisted that we sing it several more times with her. Then last night, after we sang it, she said, "Pay!" a few times, but we couldn't figure out what she meant.

This morning, Katelyn was playing downstairs and saying, "Yes, Jesus!" and signing "Bible," so I sang the song for her with the motions that we always do. Afterward she said "Pay!" again, and I realized she was saying "Pray," because we always pray after we sing at bedtime. So I went over, held her hands, and said a little prayer with her. She finished with a happy "Amen!" and left me with a lovely, thankful feeling in my heart. She may not quite understand why we sing about Jesus and pray, but I'm thrilled that for now, she is enjoying the process. And I am also thankful that Jesus does love her, and loves all of us, even though we can never completely understand why.

In this week leading up to Easter, what are some ways that you have been reminded to thank Jesus for His love? What are some things your children have done lately that have left you with a happy, thankful heart?

I want...

Katelyn has begun sharing her desires with the world.  Her words are improving to the point that sometimes you actually hear "I want..." followed by whatever it is at the moment.  Most of the time, though, it comes out as "IMA."  So, "I want to go outside" sounds like "Ima outside."  We've heard it for all manner of things: swing, slide, dogs, apple juice, church.  All kinds of fun.

This morning, she's in quite a good mood... been "IMA"ing all over the place.  I brought her to the church with me, and had her gated in my office while I was talking with Becky.  Along the way, it got very quiet... never a good sign.  She had procured the banana I brought for MY breakfast, and had attempted to open BOTH ends of it, which resulted in some nice gooey banana ends.  When I walked in, she was holding it up to me saying, "Ima bana."

So, I shared my breakfast... she got the ends of the banana.

She's a bit too smart for our safety.

 Enjoying her slushie at Sam's with Mommy

Dukelingish

At 22 months old, Katelyn is learning all kinds of new words. Some are very clear, some are ...well... unique interpretations of the English language. Following is a list of words, interpretations, and, when necessary, definitions of the English Language According to Katelyn A. Duke.

"flowf" - flower (slowly transitioning to proper word)
"apple juice" - any drink that is not water or milk. Tonight, blue Gatorade qualified
"W" - best letter ever (also what she calls her alphabet video, which conveniently has a W on the cover)
"pawpaw" - Grandpa (and sometimes Grandma)
"Bob" - VeggieTale double feature DVD
 "Joe" - Larry the Cucumber (thanks to the Ballad of Little Joe)
"MOO! cow" - Cow
"Wawoo" - Water
"KeestiCK" - cheese stick
"bottle" - milk
"eh... eh..." - pick me up, or I want that.
"Dots" - her purple zebra
"Yine...rar" - Lion
"orse" - Horse
"baby seep" - nap, bedtime
"teef" - brush teeth
"baf" - bath
"debby" - Ms. Becky (my secretary) could also be "Bebby"; still interpreting that one
"Bobbie" - Bobbie
"ZO!" - Ed & Linda's toy poodle Gizmo
"chuch" - church
"eat" - eat
"food" - food
"yewwow" - yellow
"bwue" - blue
"peet" - pink
"wed" - red
"geen" - green
"side" - slide
"off" - on
"wight" - light
"da-per" - diaper
"cat" - Talking cat game on my phone
"beep-beep" - either the coyote or roadrunner
"choo-choo" - any toy vehicle

She has  pretty much mastered her letters, and can generally sing the whole alphabet song (often she leaves letters out, though)

There are a few. It is a fun thing for us to learn to talk all over again.

Priorities

Today we arrived in Albuquerque to visit Allison's parents.  As is typical with all grandkids, Katelyn's attention left us and went to Grandma and (especially) Grandpa.  While I kept my eye on her, she was definitely not interested in Daddy.  We began opening presents, and she was quite entranced with all of the musical things around (a clock that plays Christmas carols, music boxes, etc.) and had turned her attention to her new Mrs. Potatohead, or so I thought.  In my stocking were some of my very favorites, chocolate covered raisins. 

Suddenly, I had a daughter again. 

Merry Christmas!