Just Like Me

There have been numerous times when I've seen my kids do something or say something and I think to myself "Oh my goodness, that is so me!"  Like yesterday, I was working on cleaning the garage and Dylan was playing in the mess a bit.  David came home and Dylan asked "Who made this mess out here?"  I don't know if David looked guilty or I looked in his direction, but Dylan understood that the mess was Daddy's mess.  So then he looked at David and told him "Daddy, you made this mess, now you should clean up this mess.  It's a big mess and Mommy is cleaning it up.  Mommy works hard to keep this house clean and things in order.  So you can't get out anything else and play until you clean up this mess!"  David and I both couldn't help but to smile and crack a little laugh.  It wasn't so much what Dylan said, but how he said it and the fact that we all knew that Dylan was telling David the exact things I tell Dylan about his own mess and using the same tone I use.  WOW!  If you want to see yourself, just look at your kids as they are often a great reflection for better and for worse.

Then today I'm looking at pictures as I load them on the computer.  I stopped in my tracks when I saw the below picture of Zoe because I knew that little girl all too well.  Of course, I do because she is my daughter, but there was so much more.  In looking at this picture, I saw myself.  In this picture, Zoe has a remarkable resemblance to what I remember myself looking like at her age (my memory is from pictures, of course).

So whether it be physical appearance or personality, Dylan and Zoe are a reflection of their daddy and me.  As David and I rely on our own upbringing along with our values and beliefs, and with the grace of God, I hope our best traits will be those that are most dominant.  I think if Dylan and Zoe can pull in the best of both of us, then they will have no choice but to be pretty amazing people. 

Dylan and Zoe - I hope you will take on all the best traits of Daddy and I.  Always know we're doing our best and working as hard as we can to set a great example for you.  And always remember that Mommy and Daddy aren't perfect so we make mistakes and have flaws.  We hope you'll love us for all of our good and bad parts just as we love you just as you are.  Love, Mommy