Look Like Jesus

This morning we were laying in bed watching cartoons and Livy started playing with my hair. She kept taking pieces of my hair and laying it across my face. 

"I'm making you look like Jesus... There. Now you look like Jesus!"

What an imagination!?!

Talkin Bout Jesus

While we were at the lake, we were all floating around just chatting when Livy interrupted and said,
"Hey! When can I talk?"
We finished our conversation, and I asked her what she wanted to talk about.
"I want to talk about Jesus!"
"Well, that's a good thing to talk about. What about Him?"
"We love God and Jesus, and Jesus just hit my head on the clouds, and then Pappy and Annie will make it all better."

I wish I knew where her thoughts came from sometimes! She is the most random child!

Detective Olivia Baker

This morning we were watching Law & Order: SVU, as we do every Tuesday (that's SVU marathon day)! We love SVU. It's definitely our favorite show... ever wonder where we got the name Olivia? :)

Anyway, on this particular episode, Finn had gotten shot just below the shoulder in an attempted robbery at a bodega. Olivia was just outside the store, so when she heard the gun shots, she ran in to find Finn barely conscious. She was applying pressure to his wound, trying to stop the bleeding (don't worry... it wasn't a gory scene), and she kept saying over and over, "Finn, stay with me! Stay with me, Finn!" Livy looked at me and said,
"Whoa. That mama really wants that daddy to stay with her!"

Then a little later in the episode, the detectives were questioning a drug dealer in the interrogation room. The drug dealer was talking very fast and loud, doing his best to defend himself, when Livy asked,
"What's he talking about?"
"I don't know, baby?"
"Well, maybe he's telling everybody about Jesus..."

Haha! You can't get anything passed Detective Olivia Benson Baker!

Heavy Jesus

Last night was pretty bad... we hardly slept at all. We're trying to keep Livy in her bed, and break her from the habit of climbing in our bed in the middle of the night. We were making progress until Drew and I had to go out of town this weekend. I guess one night away from home made her completely forget everything... that goes for sleeping and obeying. It has definitely been interesting around here since we all got back home. I think my sweet little girl is still at Pappy and Annie's house somewhere, and we brought home her crazy evil twin! Hopefully, this screaming-fit-throwing phase will pass as quickly as it arrived!

One funny moment from last night's nightmare struggle... she was standing in the middle of her room, with her over sized t-shirt and hair pulled up in a messy bun (she still looked as cute as ever) screaming and crying! I walked in and told her to get back in bed and lay down. She was so upset she could barely talk, but between gasps of air she said,
"But... I'm... happy... now!"
I said, "Uhh, I don't think you're happy. Now get back in bed." She replied,
"But... I'm... really... really... happy!"
What do you say to that?! She always finds a way to make me laugh!

This morning I was talking to her about how ugly she was acting last night. I reassured her that she can sleep in her bed by herself, and I expected her to go to sleep without screaming tonight. I also explained to her that it makes Mama and Daddy very sad when she disobeys. Here's how the conversation went:

"Livy, when you don't mind Mama and Daddy it makes us very sad, and it also makes Jesus sad."
"It makes Jesus sad?"
"Yes, Jesus wants you to mind Mama and Daddy."
"But... Jesus is so heavy to me."
"What? Why?"
'Because I just can't carry Him. He's too heavy to me."
"Baby, you don't have to carry Jesus. Jesus carries you!"
"Jesus loves me?"
"Yes, He loves you a lot!"
"Aww, I want to see Jesus tomorrow."
"Well, we probably won't see Him tomorrow. He lives in heaven with God, remember?"
"But it would make me happy. I want to see Him tomorrow at 4 o'clock... ok, ok?"

Wouldn't that be awesome? If we could just set up an appointment and visit with Jesus? I love how little minds think! Here's to hoping tonight will be better! :)

Who could stay mad at this cutie pie?? I just love her!

His Only Son

John 3:16
It's probably the most recognized Bible verse. I'm sure I first memorized it in 1st grade as a Spark in AWANA. I've been able to rattle it off for a really long time now, just like most people. But do we actually listen to what the message is in that verse?

For me, John 3:16 took on a whole new meaning when I became a mother. I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning, not long after I had Livy, wiping tears from my eyes because I actually understood that verse for the first time in my life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God gave his ONLY son... that's the part that gets me. His only son. Gave his son to be mocked, whipped, beaten, spit upon, tortured, and crucified for us. Sinners. We sinners that take our salvation for granted. We sinners that forget to give thanks for our oh so many blessings. We sinners that sometimes fall asleep at night without having uttered one word to God that day. We sinners that try to justify our sins so we can do what we want. How does that make God feel?

Thinking about all of that makes His love so overwhelmingly real to me... that He loves us that much.

Would I give up my only child? My sweet precious Olivia? No way! I'm tearing up now just thinking about it. I'd like to think that I'd have the faith of Abraham when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, but who am I kidding...

I'm so thankful
...that my God loves me and that His mercy endures forever!
...that He is willing to forgive my selfish heart!
...that Jesus did not stay in that grave!
...that He's coming again some day!
...and that I am a whosoever!

It's easy to reflect on this during the Easter season, but I pray that I'll never lose sight of His love for me.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The one who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be!

Jesus Makes Everything Better

A few days ago, Livy and I were able to meet up with Drew for lunch at Cancun. She was sitting beside her daddy in the booth, and poor Drew kept getting some stressful texts/emails on his phone pertaining to work. It's funny how even a 2 year old can pick up on these things... after another work email, Drew let out a frustrating sigh. Livy immediately looked at him, rubbed his arm and said,
"Aww, Daddy, Jesus will make you better!"
It was the sweetest thing. I'm pretty sure I even teared up a little (no surprise there)! I hope Livy will always remember those words of wisdom!

This picture isn't actually from this lunch date... it's from one of our family date nights. But it's still pretty cute, if I do say so myself!