"No, Madelynn, you cannot borrow the car!"

Have you seen the commercial with the little girl asking to borrow her daddy's car? The little girl is quite emphatic as she pleads with him, and then he says yes and hands the keys to a teenager who is almost grown up. It is one of those commercials that makes your heart swell as you think of your own babies and how quickly they are growing up! My daughter Madelynn is astounding to me with her personality and her ever increasing intelligence. One thing I know is that she can drive this little toy car as long as she NEVER grows up and asks for the keys to my real car. I have decided that I am putting her on restrictions from ever growing up... that goes for my son, Nehemiah too! "No, you cannot borrow my truck, Nehemiah!"

Cheese Toes

It looks as if Madelynn may be finally giving up her pacifier, but who would have known that she would move to her toes? I never cease being amused at this little girl full of personality! It all started when she took off her socks one day and starting cleaning the out the fuzz between her toes. She was so excited about her feat (no pun intended) that she began to stick some cheetos in between her toes for a snack. One by one she would insert a cheeto and then bring her toes to her mouth for a tasty treat! I know it sounds gross, but it was so funny that Kelli and I had to watch her as she ate one after the other so proudly.

Children are an amazing gift from the Lord. As the Psalmist said, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. My sweet Maddie Joy is by far no exception!

Children love to put things in their mouths. Madelynn's toes are just the tip of the iceberg to what we see daily. Recently, my wife noticed Madelynn had something in her mouth that she was chewing on. Upon inspection, Madelynn willingly opened her mouth to show her mommy a little green boogar on the tip of her tongue!!! She is not even 2 years old yet and Madelynn is already eating out of her toes and snacking on nose treasures. What will our little cheese toes do next?

Another Year, Another Opportunity

God's mercies are new every morning! Aren't you thankful that our merciful God blesses us with a new year as well? 2008 was definitely a good year, but I am convinced that 2009 is going to the best the Oliver's have experienced yet! I am not going give you a long unrealistic list of New Year's resolutions, but please note that I want to learn and grow closer to my Lord this year than I ever have before.

I often say that "Life is a Lesson". I do not want to excuse my mistakes in '08 as if they did not happen. Instead, I want to learn from them. I was convicted after the message Sunday morning of my disguised "laziness". I have always dismissed this weakness as nothing more than procrastination. Did you know that procrastination is "rooted" in laziness? Please forgive me if my laziness (procrastination) has ever hurt, upset, or disappointed you. I have genuinely asked the Lord to teach me how to overcome this weakness. I know this is going to be a difficult journey, but my God is faithful and His grace is sufficient!

I am so thankful that with another year I have another opportunity to learn and grow. "Each missed opportunity should be a reminder to listen to God, and learn to do as He says." Are you listening? I know that I am no longer going to wait until tomorrow, to do as He says to do today, which is the justification for a procrastinator. I don't want to be lazy anymore in my obedience to the Lord. Are you waiting until tomorrow too? Or are you listening today? He is always teaching, so let's take advantage of another year and another opportunity to listen and learn from our King!