Of Personality and a Bulldog

One of the best parts of parenting is watching the personalities of our kids emerge. It's amazing how every child comes out their own unique and wonderful self. They may resemble physically, but that's as far as it goes.

Our house is a melting pot of personality. We range from Type A to as chill as they come. In fact it's a good thing Marlee came out as cool as a cucumber, because if she didn't, I'd have to send one of them back!

Jacob is very much a firstborn child. At 3.5 he is already very steady and dependable, good with his hands like his proud papa and helpful with his siblings. I believe he will grow up to be a rule follower. He is very social, has never met a stranger and is extremely inventive when he plays outside. His idea of playing is pounding nails into the back deck (side note: he can drive a nail better than I can.), digging dirt and loading his dump truck and rigging the most tangled mess of ropes and, as he calls them, "hooks" all over his playground. It's hilarious to watch him at "work". Frequently he tells me he is the best "worker man in the world". I'd have to agree.

Marlee is the sweetest of all my babies. She cuddles, she coos, she smiles and wiggles and many days I can't stop kissing and squeezing her. Just today I kissed her at least a dozen times and squeezed each fat roll on her thighs. The latest count is 4 per thigh. Oh, and she has a neck roll that I adore. Marlee is going to be our pal, the one who wants to hang out with us, will be glad to just ride along, and who demands very little and loves a whole lot. Already her brother and sister make her smile and wiggle as if she can't wait for the day she can get up and play too. A tiny body encapsulates a very sweet soul.

Kaylen. My middle child. My mini me. My my. My. The middle child, the tiny pixie, the beautiful and adorable and the most stubborn little person I have ever met. This child will not take a bite of something she does not want and neither punishment nor a cookie waved under her very nose will make her change her mind. Kaylen will not be a rule follower, I'm afraid. Just the other day I told her not to get off the deck and then closed the back door. I kept watching through the door and she looked back to see if I was there and then walked straight to the step and got off the deck. She jumped about 10 feet in the air when I immediately called her back- which was hilarious- but I had to shake my head. It was a prophetic moment for me. Kaylen will be our challenge to take her persistence and spirit and help nurture those attributes into good. Stubborness can be called persistence when it is rooted and founded within the constraints of God's Word. I've noted in the past that Kaylen bears a slight resemblance to a bulldog and her personality and spirit certainly recall that tenacious animal. But after her pictures the other day, I'm convinced she might have been one in a former life.

Of course, I don't actually believe in reincarnation, but if I did, I'm pretty sure I'm right on this one.

In the final weeks before Jacob was born I remember feeling sad that the life Tony and I had enjoyed for almost  four years was ending. What I couldn't know or understand was how much better, how much more complete my life would be with three sweet babies who challenge me, entertain me, who make this life experience so worth all the hard work and struggle. It never ceases to amaze me how God weaves together a body and soul and breathes into it life and soul and personality. Priceless and precious.

Personality is a wonderful thing, for it makes us unique and wonderful to our Creator. Oh how He loves us.

PS. These gorgeous photos were taken by my friend and amazing photographer Ashley of You Like Photography. Find her on facebook and have her take some for you- you won't be disappointed!