Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Never Grow Up



I found this photo today while looking for photos for the new blog header. I don't think I have ever shared it on the blog, but it's one of my favorites because to me, it's the essence of childhood. Of my boys' childhood, anyway. Gabe's missing teeth and messy hair. Cooper's determined stance as he aims his toy gun. That's the memories I'll have. We live on an acerage and our boys spend endless hours exploring the outdoors, putting their imaginations to use. On this particular day, they were cowboys. Gabe and Cooper are the best of friends, and I pray it always stays that way.


As I was thinking about childhood, I was reminded of a song. I think this may be the only time I'll ever quote a country song, because it's no secret that I am not fond of country music. But I really could listen to this song over and over again. And cry about this song over and over again. And be inspired to make the most of the time that they are little, because it's all too short.

Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older, too
And don't lose the way that you dance around
In your PJs getting ready for school

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

No one's ever burned you
Nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up

Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs

I just realized everything I have
Is someday gonna be gone

So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on

Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up

Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
Could still be little
Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
It could still be simple

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

Won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And even through to you want to
Please try to never grow up

Don't you ever grow up
(Never grow up)
Just never grow up

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Fashion Friends Update

It's been a very long time since I've updated on Chloe's part in the Fashion Friends project. Read about how Chloe got involved with this new company through her modeling here.

Basically, Chloe was chosen to represent Faith Flowers in a new line of clothing and dolls called, Fashion Friends. That in itself would be a neat opportunity, but couple it with the fact that Fashion Friends is a openly Christian company makes it even more special and perfect for us! Just read this excerpt about Fashion Friends: "Their desire is to honor God by using the gifts and talents He has given them." Such an awesome ministry to young girls interested in all the things young girls {and moms like me!} love...dolls and fashion!

Since Chloe was chosen last spring, a lot has happened with Fashion Friends. The rest of the girls were cast to represent all seven fashion friends, the first in a line of books came out, the new website was launched, and sample dolls have been produced.

I was notified last week that the Faith Flowers doll will be sent to Chloe sometime this week so that we can do a photo shoot with Chloe & the doll, including photos of me reading to Chloe. Ha! Yes, they would like some photos of this photographer who is used to being behind the camera reading to my daughter. Hmmm...I am no model, so honestly I'm a bit nervous!

And then there's little Chloe, not nervous at all in front of the camera. The other day I asked Chloe to help me do this Fashion Friends update by posing for a few photos. She had no problem, as usual. I hope she always loves the camera, because my camera loves her...




Here she is with the Fashion Friends book, which she received one of the very first copies at Christmas time. The book is awesome, building girls up to have positive self-esteem and featuring several Biblical principals and verses throughout. Chloe loves looking at this book and having it read to her...







I love the end of the book, which features the 'Fashion Friends Prayer,' ending in...

"And someday, Lord, when our dreams come true, we'll give all the praise and glory to you!"

You can purchase your very own copy of the Fashion Friends book here.

In the meantime, photos of Chloe and her look-a-like Faith Flowers doll will soon grace the blog. We actually have to send this doll back, as it's the only one of it's kind. But Chloe will receive her very own Faith Flowers doll later this summer when the dolls are released to the public, and more photo shoots will take place with Chloe, her doll and their matching outfits!

I know this Fashion Friend model will look forward to that...

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Too cute to get into too much trouble

The blog title says it all.

Yes, this boy gets into trouble, but never too much.
Because he's just too cute. Really. 
And it doesn't hurt that every time he does something naughty, he's smiling about it...


Maybe he's just got it figured out how NOT to get into too much trouble by smiling while getting caught, but either way he's got mom wrapped around his little finger. At least I'm aware of the fact, right?!?

Gavin also has two new favorite words: thanks and sorry. He uses them often and interchangeably.  For example, I gave Gavin a piece of banana the other day and he replied, "Sorry." A little later, he was caught pulling Chloe's hair (yes, he's a habitual hair puller with a smile) and he proudly says, "Thanks!" 

Chloe was NOT happy with Gavin's response to the hair pulling incident in case you were wondering. It resulted in Chloe lecturing Gavin a little something like this: "Now Gavin, first of all we do NOT pull hair. But when we do, we say sorry, not thanks. Now go be a good boy for the rest of the day." Ha, that girl makes me laugh! 

And so does this naughty brother of hers who apparently likes to play lots and lots of games (all at once!) other than just wrapping mom around his little finger...

 
Nope, too cute to be naughty ;)