Sunday, December 30, 2012

Les Mis

Dear God,
Thank you for moments when we can find you in movies, in the media. Thank you that there are still people who believe it's important to include you and to include faith. Today my prayer is borrowed:

God on high, hear my prayer. In my need, you have always been there. She is young, she's afraid, let her rest heaven blessed. Bring her peace, bring her joy. She is young, just a child. You can take, you can give. Let her be, let her live.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Home

Dear God,
Caroline talks a lot about home these days. She shouts out 'home!' when we're out and she's ready to come back. Sometimes it's a question "hooome?" as we're driving through the neighborhood. Most commonly it's an exclamation as we pull into the driveway "HOME!". That's right baby, we're home. This Christmas I've thought a lot about home, and what it means to Be Home. When CC talks about home, all she means is 'our place' - she has no concept of what state we're in, what our property taxes are, how long we plan to be here - it's just home. Tonight God my prayer  is that home is always such a simple concept for her. Let her always find home so easily in her life. God please show us how to make our home a place that she wants to exclaim over, and please fill our home with grace, patience, laughter, joy, love, and humility.

Thank you Lord for our home, that we may never take it for granted. Thank you for our girl.
Amen.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Light

Dear God,
You call us to be the light of the world, and tonight my prayer is that you give Caroline a bright light. God please make her into the kind of woman who shines light into dark places, shows light to those who need it and can always find the comfort of your spirit in the light she holds inside of her. Thank you for our girl, and the promise you gave us in your own son.

Amen.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Bells

Dear God,
Tonight we took Caroline on her first train ride, a Christmas train ride on an old train with a steam engine. It was so exciting to experience the ride by looking at her - watching her get excited about the steam, about the people, the noises, the whistles. On the ride she was given a jingle bell - and she loved it. She played with it all the way home. Tonight my prayer is simply a prayer of thanks for the crisp, clean sound of bells, for the joy the noise brought to my sweet child, for the time we had on the train together. God thank you for our family, please never let me take these moments for granted, please always show me how to find joy the way she does in the smallest things.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Mental Illness

Dear God,
There have been a few tragic events recently in our country that are related to people suffering from mental illness. The stories are so sad, so deep, so desperate. Today my prayer is that you spare Caroline from any form of mental illness. Please protect her, and help us teach her healthy habits in life, including how to ask for help. God please be here with us, please show us how to affect change in our world.

Amen.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas

Dear God,
We are gearing up for Christmas at our house. We're wrapping gifts and putting them under the tree, Dan asks each evening if anything arrived in the mail with his name on it. It's all fun - looking forward to our celebration together. This morning God I pray that you make us mindful of the real reason we celebrate Christmas, and that we raise Caroline in a home where that's clear, where you and your son are the focal point of Christmas, and the fun traditions surrounding the holiday are on the back burner. God please give us the words to start talking to her this year about the miracle of Christmas.

Amen.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Am I asking for too much?

Dear God,
So many of the things I ask of you for Caroline are antithetical. My requests feel selfish, as if I'm asking that you give her everything and then the ability to keep it all in balance. I realized this morning, as I prayed to you that it IS selfish, and that I do want so much for Caroline, I want her to live an abundant life full of layers and fascinating complexity. I also know that you have the power to give it all to her and teach her how to handle it. Recently I've been praising you for Caroline's increasing independence, for all of the things she's learning how to do on her own - today's prayer seems to rise from that increasing independence. Today I ask that you instill in Caroline a desire to cooperate. Sometimes her independence, her strong will keep her from cooperating with me and with Dan. That can cause frustration in all of us, and I know that what we need from her is more cooperation. So God, please grow that in Caroline, and show me how to encourage it in her.

Thank you Lord for hearing all of my prayers, even when they're contradictory, even when I'm asking for the whole world.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Cheering for herself

Dear God,
Caroline's showing interest in potty training, and today she tried. When she finished trying, she clapped and cheered for herself. Thank you for her sweet, happy nature that's so self-supportive! God I pray that she continues to be so encouraging of herself, so proud of herself over the years. I fear that as a young girl its entirely too easy to lose that confidence, so I pray that you keep it too deeply rooted to fade.

Amen.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Resilience

Dear God,
Today we went to gymnastics with one of our friends. God it's so fun to see Caroline learning how to play and use her body. Thank you for her mobility, for her energy and her attitude. While playing today, she had a fall and it startled me. Clearly it startled her too, but she didn't cry - she got up, dusted herself off and got right back to playing. God my prayer tonight is that she stays that way - resilient, confident, and not feeling sorry for herself. Thank you God for our adventurous girl who's not afraid!
Amen.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Moonspotter

Dear God,
Caroline loves to find your moon. She sees it in the afternoon, even when it's still light out. She sees it at night, and points to it in books. Whenever she points it out, it reminds me instantly how far away it is, and how small we are. It also reminds me of the detail you put into creation, how perfect the balance of our universe is. God thank you for Caroline pointing out things like the moon. Thank you for her curiosity, thank you for her simple excitement, and thank you for the miracles of creation that you've placed all around us.

Amen.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Crazy Runs in the Family

Dear God,
My mother is in town for the week and last night she had Caroline while I worked. I texted to see if things were going well, and she made a joke about how Caroline was running wild - it was a good laugh and also reassuring that no matter what she was up to, my mom would have been ok with it. Our laugh over the idea reminded me how fun the women in our family can be. God please keep that wild streak running through Caroline - let her be a child and woman who can laugh easily and see the lighter side of things quickly. God please bless her with silliness, humor and a good nature.
Amen.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Going to College!

Dear God,
Tonight Caroline, Dee Dee and I are heading to UCF to participate in a graduate level class on childhood speech and development. We've been invited by a good friend, and we're all looking forward to going. Caroline is going to be asked to do some things and say some things so that the students can observe a child who has no diagnosed language issues. The other children these students see in clinics have some challenges with speech, and this will be an opportunity for them to see the other side of things. God please keep Caroline calm and happy tonight, and please give her the courage to interact with the students and speak up! Thank you God for fun opportunities like this.

Amen.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Good Girlfriends

Dear God,
Today we went to the playground with one of Caroline's friends. It's so sweet to watch her get old enough to start establishing relationships with other children. Caroline's a hugger - and she made sure she had a chance to hug her girlfriend today. Tonight, after she's gone to bed, I'm working on setting my dining table for a dinner party I'm hosting tomorrow night for some of my girlfriends. I'm struck by how blessed Caroline and I both are to have good girlfriends in our lives. Thank you God for these women, and God please put women like these in my future and in Caroline's future. Please bless us both with girlfriends in every season of our lives, and teach us both how to hang on to good friends when we find them.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Manners

Dear God,
Tonight is Halloween and we've had a bunch of kids come to the door looking for candy. Thank you God for their sweet spirits, for the excitement in their eyes and voices. Thank you that there are families who still trust their neighbors and keep traditions like trick or treating alive. God my prayer tonight is for Caroline's manners - Halloween is a day where you see manners of children exposed. God I pray that Caroline always has good manners, and uses them regularly. Please make Dan and me good examples of good manners, so that she's raised in a house where it's just a way of life.

Thank you Lord for our sweet Caroline. Please keep her safe and healthy.
Amen.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Fall

Dear God,
Fall has just arrived in Central Florida and it's met with energy and happiness from everyone around - we wait so long for the nicer weather. Fall seems to have a reputation of slower times, happier moments, old fashioned traditions, family togetherness and also anticipation of the joyful holidays held in the next few months. God this morning my prayer is that Caroline has some Fall-like qualities through each season of her life. I pray that she learns how to slow things down when she feels like life is moving too quickly. I pray that she never forgets the importance of creating small, happy moments. I pray that we remember to build in some traditions from our childhood - so that she grows knowing some traditions that are greater than just her own life. God I ask that you bind our family together in a way that no matter what's in the way -- work, distance, exhaustion -- we know how to be close and rely on each other. God thank you for this Fall that's come to our home, and please keep us grateful and humble.

Amen.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Independence

Dear God,
Everyday now I'm seeing more independent behavior from Caroline. She likes to do things herself, likes to explore on her own, she's becoming a confident child. Thank you Lord for this confidence and independence. Please help us teach her how to use those traits in the most positive ways.

Amen.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

New Girl

Dear God,
Today a blog posting came across my desk, and it was enough to make me afraid for Caroline. The mom tells a story about her daughter being the new girl - and an attempt at making friends at a party. God it's so hard as a woman to walk through a door alone, into a place where no one knows you yet. I don't think it's easy as a child, teen or as a grown adult. I'm afraid for when Caroline has to do this. I pray that she has enough confidence, poise and personality to handle it, and that I have the strength to let her go. I know that no matter in what community we raise her, how few times we move, how steady our lives are -- she'll be the new girl at least a  couple times in her life. God please make those moments as few as possible, and let her be capable of making new friends quickly.

Amen

The paragraph below is a side note for me. I need to come back and read this whenever Caroline goes through this for the first time. It's from the original posting.
--------------
Tell her to never give up. Encourage her to keep trying. Help her pull down the walls she builds to protect her heart. Remind her she’s not alone. Quiet her doubt. Be brave. Lose the self-loathing. Love her. And don’t forget to remind her every day to accept His perfect love that casts out fear.
Link to original post: http://www.incourage.me/2012/10/for-the-new-girl-in-all-of-us.html

Monday, October 15, 2012

Generosity

Dear God,
Today we were struck by the kindness of others, by the generous spirit that people can have. My prayer tonight is that you develop that spirit of generosity in Caroline. Please make her a child who shares her things, wants to give to others and feels good about herself when she does. God please show me how to be a good role model for this behavior.

Amen.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Breathing Room

Dear God,
Today we took Caroline out to the country outside of Orlando for a morning on the farm. We did a corn maze, checked out the pumpkins and just breathed some clean air. One of the things I loved the most about my childhood was how easy it was to get away from the busy. Part of that was growing up where we did, but part of it was having parents who made it important. God I pray today that you give us opportunities to get Caroline out of the busy, scheduled, social agenda that we live each day. God give us the wisdom to remember the simple things in life, and the importance of keeping space for them. Thank you Lord for today, for us having the time to spend together, for the farm where we went and for safe travel.

Amen.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Safety and Courage

Dear God,
You've clearly given Caroline a sense of adventure. I found her today standing on the dining room table - when I didn't know she knew how to climb! Thank you that you've made her courageous, and that she feels free to explore like that in our home. God the moments when things like this happen make me nervous - I'm so afraid of her being hurt on my clock. God please help me learn a balance between letting her explore and keeping her safe - and please also instill in her an understanding of self-preservation.

Amen.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Excitement & Fear

Dear God,
Recently I was chatting with a friend about how closely linked fear and excitement are. She noted, wisely, that some of the most brave people simply recognize that feeling we get before big moments as excitement, while others recognize it as fear. You've given Caroline parents on the opposite ends of that spectrum - I'm more inclined to fear, and Dan to excitement. My prayer today is that you help Caroline lean toward recognizing those feelings as excitement - to keep her from being afraid. God please show me how to raise her to be courageous.

Amen.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Kisses

Dear God,
Caroline's stopped kissing me - and that's ok. I know kids go through phases, we all do, and right now - it's no kisses for Mom. However, she's still giving her daddy kisses, and that's what I'm thankful for tonight. Thank you for their bond, for their special relationship. Thank you that she's so excited when he comes home, and that her excitement lets him let go of the day and enjoy the moment. Please keep them close.

Amen.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Cold, Cough


Dear God,
Caroline has a cold, and a bad cough. We took her to the Dr. and he says its just a cold, but it's upsetting. She seems uncomfortable and I'm asking you to ease her pain, heal her of the cold, and don't allow the cold to turn into an ear infection. God please let her sleep through the night and wake tomorrow feeling much better. Also, please keep Dan and me healthy while she's not. 

Please take care of our sweet little girl God, and heal her.
Amen.

Independence

Dear God,
Tonight I want to talk to you about Caroline's independence. In so many ways, over the last 16 months it's simply amazing how I've seen Caroline become independent. She's capable of helping herself to her toys, putting her shoes on, throwing something away, petting the cat. In other ways though, she's still so dependent on me. Tonight I pray that her independence keeps growing, but that I have patience and wisdom to enjoy the things that she still needs me for.

Amen.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Water

Dear God,
Today's prayer is a little prayer. Thank you for allowing us to come to with with big and little things. Today my prayer is that Caroline continues to be a good water drinker through her life. She loves water and drinks a lot of it, and that's so good for her! It's such a healthy habit and can help weight, skin, hair, attitude and general health. Please let this habit stick, and help me encourage it.

Amen.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Encouragement

Dear God,
Tonight Caroline and I rode on the bike while Dan ran. Several times she said Hi Dada, or just Dada in a super energetic voice. It felt to both of us like she was cheering for him, and it was such sweet motivation for Dan on the run. It reminded me that you give some people the gift of empathy, and the gift to know how to encourage others when they're struggling. God it seems like you've given some of those gifts to our girl, and I pray that you show me how to grow them in her.

Amen.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Dear God,
Thank you for our sweet baby and all the new and exciting things she's learning to do. Recently it seems like new words are coming out of her mouth left and right. Today, she started using one I'm not as excited about -- No. My prayer is that she quickly learns the appropriate way to use that word, and that it doesn't become a favorite.

Amen.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Amen

Dear God,
Tonight after prayers, Caroline said 'amen' for the first time. How precious these words were coming from her tiny lips. My prayer for her tonight is that she never stops saying 'amen' - that she's grateful to you for the rest of her life, that she realizes the role you have in her life and that she's humbled by your spirit. Thank you for our relationship that we have with you, and for Caroline's sweet tiny Amen.

Amen.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Car Rides

Dear God,
Caroline's gotten a bit tricky to handle in the car, so today I have a practical request. Please help her on car rides. Please help her to be calmer, more self-soothing, less fussy. God please teach her to enjoy the 'down' time, teach her to enjoy the scenery and the time we're spending together. God please take the stress out of car trips.

Amen.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Regret

Dear God,
Today I ask you to allow Caroline to live a life without regret. God we never know what's ahead of us, or how much more time we each have on this earth. I pray that as she grows, Caroline has an understanding of forgiveness, grace, love, and compassion.

Amen.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Cooperation

Dear God,
Please give Caroline an inclination toward cooperation. Please let her be able to tell when it's a time to be independent and when its a time to work as a team. And please bring that wisdom and cooperative spirit to her today - right now if possible.

Thank you God for understanding even the simplest requests. And if this ones not in the cards, please strengthen my senses of humor and flexibility today.

Amen.

Monday, September 3, 2012

The way she sees me

Dear God,
Caroline's been going through a little bit of a clingy phase - she has some nervousness when I leave her. She stays really close to me, and wants a hug before she runs off at the Y, or before I leave her with a sitter. I've been struck by how she sees me -- I'm most definitely 'hers', and she clearly feels like we belong together. It's made me think of the way she sees me -- she sees me in a way that, probably, no one else in the world ever has. She doesn't see the flaws I see in the mirror, or the insecurities I feel. She sees me so much more positively than I even see myself. Thank you God for creating her to see me that way, and for her to be a reminder to me to not be too hard on myself. Thank you for our special relationship, and please help me to live up to the image that she's creating of me and God please give her a spirit of forgiveness when I don't.

Amen.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Smile

Dear God,
Yesterday the most wonderful thing happened. I was sitting on the floor in my kitchen, playing with Caroline when she looked at me. I looked back at her, and smiled. Then - SHE SMILED BACK. She saw me smiling at her and returned it. It was wonderful! I see her smile a lot, all day long, at lots of things. But this specific sequence hasn't happened yet and it was so heart warming. It made me feel like she knows how happy she makes me, and maybe in return I make her happy too. God thank you for the bond between mom and daughter, and thank you for the moment we had yesterday. Please give me lots of time on this earth to make her smile more Lord.

Amen.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Silliness

Dear God,
There are a couple things Caroline is doing right now that qualify as just plain silly. When you ask her to whisper, she does something that sounds like she's gargling at the same time she says 'woodchuck'. It's a ridiculous whisper but it's hilarious, and she does it every time I ask her. These kinds of things are reliable laughter - and it's so funny that she's already got a little sense of humor. God please leave Caroline with this silly side - all through her life. There's such a pressure to grow up and perform in our culture, and I pray that we're able to raise her in an environment where theres still room for silly, simple fun.

Amen.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Thank You

Dear God,
One of the things that Caroline says the most is Thank You. What a sweet thing it is to hear those two tiny words come out of her mouth. There's a special way she says it too -- even if you didn't know what she said, the tone of her voice sounds grateful. I'm proud of her for saying Thank You, and proud of her for learning gratitude at an early age. God please give Caroline the awareness and humility to be eternally grateful to you. For her life, for her gifts, for the many blessings you have prepared for her. Amen.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Great Things

Dear God,
This week we lost Neil Armstrong, a man who made a significant and very public impact on our Earth. His passing has made me think of how each person who lives starts as a baby, and at one point, Neil Armstrong was just a baby, like Caroline. At one point, no one but you knew what was in store for Neil. God I know you have great plans for Caroline, you've laid out a life of experiences and achievement for her. I pray today that you include GREAT things for her - great challenges, great successes, great joy, great peace, great sense of community. Not all of us are made to be public figures like Neil, but through you, we're all capable of accomplishing greatness.

Thank you Lord for my sweet girl.
Amen.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Roots like Redwoods

Dear God,
Today I heard a story about how Redwood Trees get their strength. It's not through an incredibly deep root system, it's through an incredibly connected root system. The story went that a Redwood never grows alone, it always grows in a group of Redwoods, and that they get their enormous strength through tangling their roots with one another, until the entire group shares a complexly connected root system. The analogy to life holds - we get our strength not through standing alone, but by standing in communities who tie their roots to ours. Its from our family and friends that we find our strength. Today God, my prayer is that you give Caroline roots like a Redwood - that no matter how old she is, how long she's lived somewhere, how 'deeply' connected she is in a place, her strength comes from the people she surrounds herself with. God please make those people quality people who want good things for themselves and for Caroline.

Thank you God for our church, for your blessings in our lives, and for our sweet Caroline.
Amen.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Taking her foot off first

Dear God,
You send messages to our lives in your perfect timing, and I'm so grateful you do that. This week, I heard this message "No one ever stole second base without taking their foot off first". That's a simple idea, and certainly one we've said and heard in other ways many times - but it's such an easy way of looking at the relationship between risk and success. God today my prayer is that through her life, you give Caroline the courage to take her foot off first, and the courage and confidence to steal second.

God thank you for Caroline, for your timing, for the messages you put in our lives.
Amen.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Carseat

Dear God,
Caroline's struggled with her carseat for almost her entire life. Today again, she tried to unbuckle herself while I was driving. God this makes me nervous, and it makes for a very stressful ride. Please God make Caroline happier in her seat, and a more peaceful rider. Please give me patience and direction for dealing with her behavior in the car.

Amen.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Appendix

Dear God,
Today we had a dear friend have an appendectomy. I don't think I've ever prayed specifically for Caroline's appendix. Today, I will. God please make Caroline's appendix healthy, and don't let it cause problems for her in her life. Please help us teach her how to take good care of her whole body.

Amen.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Service

Dear God,
I just had a meeting with a friend from my volunteer group who is an amazing women. You've created her to be a MOTHER. She's an amazing mother to 3 children, and has been a foster mother to more than 12! Thank you for people like her, thank you for the strength you give her. God please give Caroline the heart of service that you've obviously given to my friend. Please make her willing and able to see when people need help and to reach out to them. God thank you for our girl, and for the community of people in which we're raising her.

Amen.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Acceptance

Dear God,
You've made Caroline such a friendly little girl! She's so willing to talk to just about everyone we encounter, and she'll let any of our friends pick her up and hold her. Thank you for giving her such an accepting nature. Please let that nature grow as she does, and extend into adulthood. Please make her into a woman who accepts others without judgement.

Amen.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Lifetime Friends

Dear God,
Thank you for the friends you've blessed us with. Thank you for friendships that have lasted over so many life stages. Today we had the gift of spending lunch with two friends who have been around a long time! Dear God, today I pray that Caroline develop deep, lasting friendships with good people, and that those friendships stick with her through good times and bad. Thank you for the people you've given us - who we see as a gift.

Amen.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Optimism

Dear God,
Today my prayer for Caroline is that you give her the gift of being optimistic. Please let her be a person who confidence in the future and confidence in her ability to be successful. God give her an attitude that's contagious to the people around her, and one that brings her happiness. Please also let her grow into a person who's able to see the good around her, who is able to say that she's blessed by her circumstances.

Thank you God for today, for our sweet girl and for the gift of prayer.
Amen.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Communicaiton

Dear God,
As Caroline grows it's so neat to watch her learn to speak. I can see the wheels turning in her head when she's trying to tell us something, or when she's frustrated that I'm not doing what she wants me to do. Today I pray that you help me teach Caroline how to communicate, and that you help her continue to develop communication skills. I also pray for patience for both of us as we work out what the other one is trying to say.

Thank you for our sweet baby and her voice.
Amen.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Immune System

Dear God,
Today I'm sick with a sinus infection, and my prayer is that Caroline stays healthy while I'm not. Please strengthen her immune system so she doesn't get sick easily.
Amen.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Choking

Dear God,
Today Caroline and I were with another toddler as she put small crayon pieces into her mouth. Fortunately, I was there when she did it, and asked her to spit them right out into my hand. It make me remember how quickly bad things can happen, and how vigilant I have to be about watching Caroline. Today I pray that she doesn't ever have a choking situation to deal with. Please keep her from any situation where that might happen.
Amen.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Change

Dear God,
The sermon at church today was on the many wonderful blessings you have in store for us when we choose to be flexible people who are open to your change. Today, my prayer is for Caroline to be a flexible woman who can handle the change you bring throughout her life. Wouldn't it be wonderful for her to look forward to change, to see the excitement that possibility brings? God please make her courageous, easy going and open to your acts.

Amen.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Willpower

Dear God,
You've created Caroline with a strong willpower - and she had it on display today! Thank you for giving this to her, and please show her how it can serve her well in her life, and help me to teach her when its important to be strong, and when it's ok to be more relaxed. God I know that Caroline and I are different from one another, and I praise you for those differences. However, her strong will can be hard for me, and I pray that you give me the patience and skills that I need to help her on days when she's being particularly strong.

Thank you God for night - for sleep and rest. And thank you for making tomorrow another day. Thank you for our girl God.

Amen.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Honesty

Dear God,
Today at the grocery store we had to run back out to the car to grab something we forgot. They did not allow me to take the cart, so we had to unload Caroline and our bags, go to the car, come back in, reload, and then check out. It made me think of Caroline's integrity, and how important it is to me that she grows up with a sense of the importance of honesty. Today, God, I pray that you develop in her a great sense of integrity and honesty, and that you make me and Dan great role models of those values.
Amen.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Staying Mad

Dear God,
Caroline's mad at me - I've taken something away from her that she's used to playing with, b/c it's a bad habit. She's mad and screaming. Please don't let her stay mad at me for long. I know what's best for her, and for several years of her life that's going to be hard for her to accept - maybe forever? Please give us a strong relationship where she trusts that I make good decisions on her behalf, and give me the strength to know when she can make smart decisions on her own.

Amen.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Goose Eggs

Dear God,
Today Caroline took a spill and hit her head pretty hard. She got a big goose egg and I felt just terrible. Please help that heal and don't allow it to cause much pain for her. Please protect her head and skull from injury in her life. Please keep her from any brain damage or from needing stitches in her head.
Amen.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Skin

Dear God,
Today we're going to play in the sun, and I just got out the sunscreen to put on Caroline. It made me think of how flawless her skin is right now and inspired todays prayer for her. God please help me to teach Caroline good habits for taking care of her skin, and please give me the discipline to be a good role model for her. Please don't allow Caroline to have troubled skin, or skin issues in her life. 

Thank you for our little fair skinned girl, and for this beautiful day where we get to be outside and playing with our friends.

Amen.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Hugs

Dear God,
Caroline has started to be a great hugger - and it's so sweet when she chooses on her own to give us hugs. Thank you for hugs, and for her ability to hug. It's so nice to begin to feel love and appreciation from her. It's certainly a gift of motherhood and a gift from you. Thank you for our girl and for her sweet tendencies.
Amen.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Manners

Dear God,
Caroline has started saying 'thank you', and she sometimes uses it at the right times. It's so funny to think of such a small person having manners, but that's what it feels like. Thank you for her sweet spirit of learning, and that she can do this! Please give her character to have manners through her life, and the wisdom to choose to use them often.

Amen.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Family

Dear God, This week I have the blessing of traveling through Ireland with my sister, mother, grandmother and cousins. It's a beautiful place and we've had a lovely time just being together. I'm rooming each night with my sister, and it's served as a reminder of how special it is to have a sister. Of all the people in my life she's known me longest and most deeply. Tonight, I'd like to pray that Caroline has a sister. I can't imagine my life without a sister and it's so nice to be on this trip and spending time, just us. So, when it's time, please bless us with another child, and special request - a sister??? Amen.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Leaving

Dear God,
In just a few days I'm leaving the country for vacation with the women in the family. CJ is staying here with her grandma and dad. I am 100% confident in their ability to take wonderful care of her - that's not in question. Tonight though Lord, I pray that you take care of both of us while I'm gone. God please let CJ be easy and sweet, let her sleep well and eat well. Please don't allow her to be sad that I'm gone, please just give her joy in the blessing that she's spending time with her grandma, and peace knowing that I'll return. God please give me peace and the ability to relax and enjoy my time away, without worrying about her or missing her too deeply.

Thank you God.
Amen.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Summer

Dear God,
Today is the last day of school for a lot of the kids in our community. It makes me think of the excitement we all used to feel on the last day of school, the hope for all the fun and freedom that the imminent summer brought. Today I pray for great summers in Caroline's life. Please fill her summers with friends, trips, games, movies, lazy days, family and great memories. 

God you gave us seasons - seasons in life and seasons in the weather. Thank you for summers and all that they bring to our spirits. 

Amen.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Tummy

Dear God,
Today Caroline has her first tummy bug. Thank you Lord that she's sleeping now. Please allow her to sleep through the night without getting sick, and rise in the morning feeling improved. God today I pray for her tummy and digestive system. Please prevent her from having major digestive issues through her life, and keep her from having food allergies that would upset her stomach. Thank you for our girl, please bring her peace and healing.

Amen.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Biking

Dear God,
Caroline's started to enjoy wearing her helmet enough to take rides on the bike with me. Thank you so much for that! We're exploring new places together and spending some of our day time out on the trail. Thank you for the trail, for the weather, for Caroline being willing to go, and for the time we're spending together.

God Dan is so interested in biking, and I pray that you give Caroline some passion for biking too. Please don't let her be afraid of biking, and please give her the ability to bike without it being hard for her. God also please let Caroline enjoy the time we spending biking tougher, and the time her Dad is spending helping her learn to bike herself.

Amen.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hi Mama

Dear God,
Caroline has started waking from her naps and shouting out "Hi Mama". I hear her - either through the walls or through the monitor and it's so funny to me. It makes me happy that she's awake, and I look forward to going into her room and seeing her. It also reminds me how much she still depends on me, how much she needs me to accomplish little things - like getting out of bed.

God this afternoon I have two prayers. First, thank you for this sweet dependent relationship you've created between child and mother. Thank you for the joy you've given me in being able to care for Caroline as much as I do. Also, I want to pray that she always feels like she can call out to me for help. Through her life there will be things she needs help with that are far more concerning than simply getting up from nap. I pray that she knows that no matter what she faces, she can always call out to her mother. I pray that she knows that even when I'm disappointed in her, I still love her, and will always stand by her side.

Thank you Lord for our sweet girl. Please don't ever let us take her for granted.
Amen.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Curiosity

Dear God,
You've made Caroline such a curious child! She's always interested in new things she sees and hears and rarely hesitates before checking them out. Thank you for her curiosity. Please let it serve her well in life, and lead her to being a child and woman who isn't afraid of new things.
Amen.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Sharing

Dear God,
Today we have the blessing of having one of Caroline's friends stay with us for the day. Thank you for the babies, and for their sweet happy attitudes. They're at a fun age -learning to play with one another, learning how to interact well. Today I pray for Caroline to be good at sharing. I pray that she shares her things with other children, and is able to be happy lending her toys to her friends. Please give her the desire to share, and the ability to do it.

Amen.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Depression

Dear God,
Today I found out that one of my old friends from The University of Texas committed suicide. I am feeling so sad about it. He was a wonderful guy - very creative and friendly, funny, talented. I can only imagine the pain that his parents are going through. Today I pray that you spare Caroline from any form of mental illness. I pray that she always has people she feel that she can talk to when she's down, and that she never struggles deeply.

Amen.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Road Trips

Dear God,
Today Caroline and I got to go on a little road trip with one of our good friends. It's so fun to travel together and spend time chatting. Tonight I pray that Caroline has lots of great road trips in her life. When I think back on my life, some of the best stories I have are from traveling with friends, and I hope the same is true for her too. Thank you for the safe trip today, for our friends we traveled with and to see, and for our sweet girl - who is just less than 15 years away from being a driver!

Amen.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Motherhood

Dear God,
Today is our 2nd mothers day with Caroline. I'm so grateful to you that you trusted me to be her mother. Thank you for the gift of Caroline in our life and please don't ever let me take for granted the gift you've given me. Thank you for all the mothers in Caroline's life - both the mothers in her family, and the mothers who are our friends. You've given women such special gifts, of compassion, caring, empathy, understanding - and we're blessed that you've made us unique.

God please bless Caroline with the gift of motherhood when it's her time.

Thank you Lord God for all of my moms, who I love so deeply and have changed me for good.
Amen.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Baptism

Dear God,
This past Sunday Caroline was baptized. It was such a wonderful day for all of us. Dan and I know that in having her baptized as an infant, we're committed to raising her in a Christian home, with belief in you, and surrounding her with  Christian influences.

God today I pray for her entire Christian journey. It's not easy to be a follower of Christ, and sometimes it feels like there are more questions than there are answers. Faith, grace and forgiveness are complicated concepts - and building a relationship with you can feel intimidating. God I pray that you pursue a relationship with Caroline, and give her a heart to respond to you. I pray that she never give up on you, and that she has an active prayer life.

Amen

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Birthday Thank You

Dear God,
Today is Caroline's first birthday. Thank you so much for each of the moments you've given us with her in the last year. Thank you for all of the people you've put into our lives who have been such a help along the way. You gave us the child, and you gave us the village.

God it feels so selfish to ask, but please give us so many more birthdays with Caroline. Please keep her healthy and happy, and allow us to enjoy all of the wonderful things she is.

Thank you Lord for our baby girl.
Amen

---------------

Dear Friends -
Caroline's asleep now, her birthday is nearly over. I'm sitting at our dining room table thinking about how so many of you were part of our lives in the last year - how each of you have been a piece of the village that it's taken to raise our girl to this point. I want you to know how very much I appreciate you, and how grateful we are that you're here, sharing in our lives at this stage.

To our families. You're not only Caroline's family and favorite people, you're also the role models we've had for parents. You were great parents to us, extraordinary grandparents, and even great-grand parents. Rhonda and Steve, you've been such inspiration to us with the way you're raising Drew. We've learned a lot about good parenting from watching you both. Thank you to all of you for your endless patience, love and support.

To Rachel C. You helped us bring Caroline into this world, and I will NEVER forget that. Thank you for playing such an important role in our lives (for many years!), but especially on that day. I know NO ONE as positive, kind and spiritually centered as you.

To the IC. You've showered us with dinners, cards, flowers, clothing, gifts, and love. You've been part of Caroline's daily life and you're such good friends - such steady friends. I pray that Caroline has friends like you in her life - she'd be so lucky to find that.

To the Bartels. You lent us everything we needed for the first 6 months of Caroline's life. You answered your phone for even the silliest questions, and had us over for playdates when we desperately needed to get out of the house. You're great parents, excellent friends and a real blessing in our lives.

To Brittany, Alicia, and Kelly. I can't even really think about how this year would have been without you and your sweet babies. You were part of it all from day one, and I feel like we've both been in a battle and a celebration together nearly every day since. I love you each dearly, and your babies too. Congrats on not only surviving but thriving this first year.

To our music buddies and play date buddies. When I was pregnant I was worried about how we'd know other stay-at-home moms with babies -- who would we hang out with?? I never dreamed we'd find each of you so quickly. Thank you for your friendship and fellowship - we love our time together with you and your precious babies.

To Kristyn. You were a gift sent from above. Thank you for being the person we trust to keep Caroline so often. Never leave Orlando. :)

To Augie and Denise. You were the first people who made me feel like I might survive having an infant. Your confidence and kindness helped me avoid PPD - I'm sure of that. Thank you.

To Katie B, Katy T, Emily O, Emily R and Josie. If Caroline grows up to be anything like any of you, I'd be so happy. Your friendship over the last 10 years has meant so much to me, and I'm so glad we're still friends after all this time. Thank you for loving Caroline, and welcoming her into your lives. Emily O - you're the most laid back mom I know, and your patience and attitude are inspirational.

To the Hunt-Jones family. You're our family away from home, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Thank you for being here for us in the hardest moments over the last year, and being the people we know we can always call when we need help digging out. We love you.

To my JLGO girls. Thanks for the "time away" this year. It's so nice to have some time away from home with women like you. Thanks for the support, for being so kind to Caroline and for the spa days and wine nights. Looking forward to the next one - as always :)

To the people who I've obviously forgotten to mention here, and will feel terribly about as soon as I realize it. Know that I am grateful for you and who you are in our lives. Also know that a momma's brain is never as sharp as it was before kids. Please forgive me for not mentioning you by name.

With lots of love, I feel so undeserving of all you give us, and so unbelievably blessed. I thank God for you regularly.

Thank you.


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Close

Dear God,
Tonight Caroline did something she very rarely does any more - she woke up at 11 and needed me to come rock her. I sat in the dark of her room, holding her close. She had her hand on my shoulder and her head in the crook of my arm, and was peaceful. It made me so grateful for the trust she has in me, for the faith that I can help her, can make things better. God please keep us close. I know I won't always be able to fix things for Caroline, but I can always be close. I heard one time that being Christ-like was simply being with people - with them in a committed way - through hard times. I want to be with Caroline for my whole life, and tonight I pray that you allow us to be close enough for that type of relationship.

God please keep us close, and let us both sleep well for the rest of the night.
Amen.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Motivation

Dear God,
Today, Dan is competing in a 1/2 Iron Man distance Triathlon with his cousin. I'm so proud of them for training and the dedication they have to their fitness. Today, I pray that Caroline has a sense of determination as well. I pray that she's motivated to care for herself, and work hard to achieve her goals. God please giver her strong will power and sense of achievement.

Amen.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Waking Up

Dear God,
I'm sitting in the den this morning with a cup of coffee. I've watched the sun rise, and now through the monitor I'm listening to the sweet sounds of Caroline waking up. Thank you for her God. Thank you for every minute you give us, for her health, her happiness, her spirit, and the joyful energy she brings to our home.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Worry

Dear God,
I saw something today that said "Do not worry about tomorrow, God is already there." You are there - you are always. Today I pray that you free Caroline from worry. Anxiety is something I've struggled with and don't want her to have the same struggle. God please make Caroline's spirit trusting and hopeful, not anxious and prone to worry.

God please protect our sweet girl, and guard her heart.
Amen.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Patience

Dear God,
Today I drug Caroline along to help a friend look at wedding dresses. Our friend was beautiful, and the shop afforded Caroline lots of lovely things to look at. God thank you for her ability to be patient with us today while we shopped. Thank you for her attention span. Please give Caroline lots of patience in her life - patience with herself, with her parents, with her friends and with strangers.

Thank you Lord for this precious girl.
Amen.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Steps

Dear God,
Tonight, Caroline took her first steps. She was so confident and capable, and we were so proud of her. God on that moment I was reminded of a song we used to sing in choir at church growing up. The lyrics said "Order my steps in your way Dear Lord, lead me, guide me, every day." Tonight, that's my prayer for Caroline. Please order her steps in your way.

Amen.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

11 Months Today

Dear God -
Today my prayer is about time. I feel like it's going so fast. It seems like I was just pregnant, just holding a tiny baby, just spending the wee hours of the night alone in the dark house. Where has the time gone? Why are some days SO long, but these 11 months have gone so quickly? I'm struck with a fear that life has just sped up - that it's going to go by too fast for me to remember it all. I'm in love with these days, and I'm afraid for them to be gone. God please change my heart, slow down the time, or just take away my fears.

Thank you God. Thank you for sweet Caroline, for her growth, for her health, and for every minute we spend together. God please keep me from taking any of it for granted, please help me keep memories of these days, please give me strength to stay positive and always see the good, please fill me up so I can keep giving her what she needs. God please, more time.

Thank you.
Amen.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Technology

Dear God,
Thank you for the technology that we have that's allowing Caroline to get to know her relatives. Today she was blessed to be able to Skype with great grandparents and grand parents. God while we wish we lived closer to all our family, we're grateful that this type of technology can keep us close. Thank you Lord, for this connection.

Amen.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Missing Her

Dear God -
Thank you for the women who cared for Caroline today while I attended a funeral out of town. It's so nice that she's so willing to be with other people, and isn't clingy or needy. God, also, thank you for the opportunity to miss her - we spend so much time together, that it would be easy to take it for granted. Thank you for the time apart, which reminded me of how much I love our time together.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

It's the little things...

Dear God -
Thank you for the sweet spirit that you've given Caroline. Right now, the smallest things make her happy - like balloons from the grocery, or waving at people on the sidewalk, seeing herself in the mirror. It's a great reminder that we can all find joy in small places each day. God please allow this 'easy to please' attitude stick with Caroline as she grows. Please let her always be able to find happiness in the simple things. Also God, please let a little bit of this gift you've give Caroline rub off on us.

Amen.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Naps

Dear God,
This has been a hard week for naps for Caroline. You've made her such a great sleeper, and we're so grateful for that. Specifically, I'm grateful - because when she sleeps, I get to sleep. This week though she's struggled with her afternoon nap. Today I pray that she's able to relax in her nap, sleep for a while, and regain the energy she needs to have a happy, peaceful afternoon and evening. God you gave us sleep for rejuvenation and I know she needs it - please grant her an adequate nap to help her, and to help us.

Amen.

Monday, March 19, 2012

God's working in the darkness

Dear God,
Caroline and I are hanging out together this morning, watching the sunrise over our back yard. As the yard becomes bright and the light of day comes through our windows, it reminds me of your promise to us that you bring light and life out of the darkness. God today I pray that Caroline know that  promise, and that she  finds peace in it. It hurts me to think that through her life she'll have darkness, but I know it will fall her. Please hold fast to your promise to bring light in the morning, and please give us faith to believe in you until that light comes.

Amen.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Dreams

Dear God,
Recently, through the nights, I hear Caroline waking from time to time, and it sounds like she's dreaming. Today God, I pray that you bless Caroline with sweet, happy dreams - and keep her from being scared in her sleep and through the night.

Amen

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Making Friends

Dear God,
Thank you for the wonderful children you've brought into this world who are friends with Caroline. Just last week we were playing with a girlfriend of CJ's and for the first time, it seemed like she was really able to enjoy the company of another child, and enjoy playing together. God today I pray that you give Caroline the gift of being a good friend, and the ability to make friends easily. Please make it easy for her to find and keep friends throughout her life.

Thank you for our friends God, and please be with them today.
Amen.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Her Words

Dear God,
Caroline is getting so close to saying some words -- we've heard things that sound like Daddy, Cat and Thank You. Thank you for this exciting time, thank you that she has a voice, that she's learning and that she's trying to communicate with us. Please help us understand her - both the words she's saying and what she means. Also, as she grows, please teach her how guard her words. Please let her grow into a child, and woman who understands how powerful words can be, and chooses hers to do good, to grow love, to create positivity in her life and others.

Thank you for her words - which I'm starting to hear right now coming through her monitor.

Amen.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pride

Dear God,
Thank you for our sweet girl and for the wonderful physicians who help us with her care. Recently, Dr. Lagod told us to start telling Caroline when we're proud of her. We've been telling her -- we're proud when she eats well, we're proud when she tries to walk, we're proud when she takes a good nap. God tonight I pray that she knows how proud of her that we are, and that she's proud of herself too. It's such a nice feeling to know that your family is proud of you, and I want her to know that feeling well.

God, thank you for this baby, for this day, and for this life.
Amen.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Her Family

Dear God -
Thank you for Dale, Judy & Cassidy coming to visit. Thank you for their safe travels, thank you for their willingness and interest in coming, and thank you for a lovely afternoon and dinner together. Thank you for the gift of fellowship you gave us. God please bless them on their trip home tomorrow and keep them safe.

God tonight I want to thank you for the family you've given to me, to Dan and to Caroline. I know that for many years, she'll think of me, my sister and her family, her grandparents, aunts and uncles as her family -- but the truth is, about 60 years from now, her family will be her children, her grandchildren, hopefully her sister or brother and their children. I know that I don't really know all of her family right now, and I ask that you make them   wonderful people, full of your spirit, loving, funny, steeped with tradition, and supportive of Caroline. Thank you for the family we have today, and the family you'll bless us with in generations to come.

Amen.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Limited Catastrophe

Dear God,
We had our first significant physical harm incident this week with Caroline, and you answered some CRAZY prayers really quickly. Thank you. Thank you for her safety and for helping me stay (relatively) calm. In light of current events, tonight I'd like to pray that you minimize catastrophic events in Caroline's life. Please keep her safe, keep her out of harms way - and when things do happen, help her heal and forget quickly.

God please keep sweet Caroline safe - in spite of her mother who doesn't always keep cords out of her reach. And... please, help me forgive myself :)

Amen.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love

Dear God,
Today is Valentines day, and we've had a great day. We had some of Caroline's friends to the house to play. Thank you for blessing us with friends we love to spend time with and who Caroline's growing up with. Thank you also for this special day that we set aside to remember how important it is to tell 'our people' how much we love them. Thank you for your perfect love, which is such a wonderful model for the way we should try to love one another. Today I pray that you fill Caroline's heart with love. Please let her always know love, feel loved, and love others deeply.

Thank you for the warmth of love and friendship.
Amen.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Handprints on my mirror

Dear God,
Thank you for our girl, and for the wonderful days we're spending together. Tonight, at dinner, I looked up at the mirror in our dining room and saw handprints on the mirror in there. There are handprints on the mirror in our hallway, on the mirror in her bathroom, on the window by her changing table, on the stainless steel dishwasher door. Basically, anywhere you could clean with Windex, there are handprints. Today God, I want to pray a prayer of thanks to you - for the marks that Caroline is leaving on our lives. For the actual handprints - reminders of how small she is, but how fast she's growing. Also, I want to thank you for the marks she's leaving that aren't visible... the smiles she brings to us, the tears that come when she's being so sweet, the tenderness she's bringing out in my husband, the laughter that comes from other people when she smiles and waves at them. Thank you for the opportunity to be touched by her spirit and her joy. While I'm planning to clean away the handprints (as soon as I can break through the child locks on the kitchen cabinet), please let the other marks stay untouched by time.

Amen.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sunday Afternoons

This morning at church, Dr. Bob spoke about the fading tradition of Sunday afternoon supper. He remembered that growing up, Sunday afternoons at his house implied a big meal, guaranteed time with family and general fellowship around his house. He compared the Sunday supper to communion, and it struck a cord with me. This morning's sermon inspires tonight's prayer.

Dear God,
Thank you for our church and for Dr. Bob. Thank you that we feel at home there and that we have a community there. God, I pray tonight that you help us develop traditions in our home that give Caroline a sense of Christian values, of old American values. God please restore those values to our culture so that Caroline grows up in a country of people who care for each other, who believe in something.

Amen.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Looking in her eyes tonight.

Dear God,
I was looking in Caroline's eyes tonight (by the way, thank you for making them so beautiful and blue), and I could see how much she trusts me, how much she relies on me. She needs us for everything right now, and sometimes, when she's quiet right before bed, she seems so helpless in this world without us. So incredibly attached to us. Tonight I pray that you make both Dan and me worthy of that kind of trust, that kind of dependence. Please guide us and give us patience and wisdom in raising Caroline.

Also, thank you for giving us the responsibility of caring for and raising Caroline. Please keep and put people in our lives around us who can help us with that.

Amen.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Forgiveness

Dear God,
Today I pray that you give Caroline the ability to forgive easily. Please give her the gift of seeing the best in people, and believing in people. Let her be quick to forgive and forget.
Amen.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Her Husband

Tomorrow Dan and I will celebrate 3 years of marriage. I just sat down to write in the card that I gave him, and it made me think about Caroline's wedding, which made me think about her husband. Seems strange to pray for a husband for a 9 month old --- but chances are she'll marry someone older than her, so that means he's alive somewhere. So, future-son-in-law, this prayer's for you.

Dear God,
Thank you for our sweet Caroline. Thank you for our marriage and love for each other that brought her into our lives. Today God I'd like to pray about Caroline's husband. There are so many things I want her husband to be, so it's hard to know where to start. God I pray that her husband grow up in a Christian household, where he learns about you and accepts you into his life. I pray that he's a gentleman, that he's educated, and responsible. Please give him gifts and talents, a sense of humor and adventure. God, when it's time, please allow him and Caroline to find one another --- and make LOTS of responsible decisions and date a while before they get married.... 30 years from now.

Amen.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Hearing You

Dear God,
I've prayed before for Caroline's hearing. Today, I pray for a different kind of hearing, for her ability to hear you in her life. God please give Caroline an early understanding of how you move in her life, and the various ways she can hear your voice. Please allow her to be comforted and guided by your voice.

Amen.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Praying for a short-term memory.

Dear God,
We're going through a strange time with Caroline right now, she's having some real trouble staying asleep at night. That makes for really short nights for me. The lack of sleep has made me feel some things about her that aren't all puppy dogs and roses... I may have even said that she's a terrible child. Once or twice.

So today I pray that you give her a short-term memory when it comes to the mistakes I make and the negative things I say. I know that looking back in life, for me, it's far easier to remember the wonderful moments than the bad, so maybe somewhere along the way you granted me with this blessed short-term-negative-memory-erasing skill. Please let that be genetic :)

Amen.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Dancing.

Dear God -
Thank you for friends who come up with all sorts of fun things for us to do. Tonight, we went line dancing for Rachel's birthday. Thank you for Rachel - thank you for her sweet spirit. God in the spirit of the night, tonight I ask you to give Caroline some dancing skills. Ellen says that dancing improves intelligence, and we know it's just a joyful thing to do in general. So God, give her some rhythm, no shame, and some moves.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Good Eating

Dear God - thank you for Caroline, and thank you that she's finally interested in eating some solid foods. God today I pray that you give Caroline a sense of adventure when it comes to food! Let her be a child who will try lots of things, and not be a picky eater. Please let her be open to foods that will be healthy and nutritious choices, and guide us in helping her learn about food.

Amen.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Feeling Loved

Dear God -
Being loved and feeling loved are two different things. Today, I pray that Caroline feels love throughout her life. As long as I'm alive, she'll be loved - but that's certainly no guarantee that she'll feel it. I pray that you give her an open heart and the confidence to know Your love, and also to feel the love from the many people in her life that will no doubt love her (there are so many who already do!).

Thank you for your perfect love God that's such a model for the way we should strive to love one another. Please make me more capable of that kind of love for everyone in my life, including Sweet Caroline.

Amen.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Fever

Dear God,
Tonight, Caroline has her first fever. Please take care of her, and take care of me - I'm a wreck. God I know that you created fevers and they serve a purpose. Please let Caroline heal quickly, and not be in pain. God please make her to sleep through the night, and wake up feeling better in the morning, with a lower temp and without being dehydrated. God please give me strength and calm to deal with this.

Amen.