Tales from Toddlerhood, Early Steps with Jesus

Benjamin's prayers lately have been, "Jesus, Thank You. Praise the Lord. Amen."

I think my prayers could take a cue from him.
….

While I was cooking dinner, Benjamin was wandering around the kitchen, mumbling/humming snippets of songs and story book lines, mostly about Christmas … "perfect light, perfect light … Jesus Christ is here, Jesus Christ is here … manger, manger … " and so on.  Then all of sudden, his face lit up and he yelled, "Hi, Jesus!  Are you here?!  I'm so glad you came!"

Oh, the faith of a child!
….

His favorite bedtime story right now is "Dan-ul and the Yi-nins."  There's a page in the book full of lion faces, and the words say (explaining why they didn't bite Daniel), "Because God shut their mouths!"  Benjamin loves that page and can recite the words when we get to it, but lately he's been modifying it a little … "Because Mommy-Daddy-God shut their mouths!"

I suppose later on we can correct this faulty image of the Trinity :) but right now I'm fine with him believing we have that kind of power to command obedience!

Tales from Toddlerhood, The Christmas Song, Part 2

I thought I'd take a minute to sit down and finish the story of Benjamin's first song in front of church.  He was so brave, the sweet little man.  Went up with Daddy, and stood with the other children for the entire song.  Yes, he got a little pale, and no, he didn't actually sing (though he may have mouthed a word or two), but he stood, didn't cry, didn't hide, and didn't run away.  SUCCESS!  We were so proud!

And the very best part was when the song finished … Benjamin ran down the aisle back to our seats, yelling, "I DID IT!  MOMMY, I DID IT!"

I will never forget it.  If only I could bottle that moment and relive it as often as I wanted to.

Also, as a matter of follow-up, he still wanders around the house singing to himself, "Jehovah, Ha-way-hoo-wah, the Werd will terbide."  Hilarious, precious … and also convicting.  It's very hard to continue in being anxious, overwhelmed or frustrated when your two-year-old is singing about God's great provision.

So, thanks, Benjamin.  Thanks for helping Mommy remember the truth.

Tales from Toddlerhood

Will, from one end of the house: "Benjamin! … Benjamin!" (clearly asking Benjamin to come to him, but not saying the words)
Me, with Benjamin at the other end of the house: "Benjamin, Daddy's calling you!" (clearly meaning that Benjamin should go to him, but not saying the words)
Benjamin: "Oh!" then taking one step and putting his hand up to his ear, "He-wo?"
Clearly we are going to have to be specific in our instructions to this child of the 21st century.

…

Recently, I was changing Joshua's diaper and Benjamin was hanging out in the room with us.  Then, without saying anything, Benjamin ran to the living room.  A few seconds later, I heard a really loud yell. "Benjamin?" I called, "Are you OK?"

Walking completely nonchalantly back into Joshua's room, he replied, "Yeah, Mommy.  I just had a big noise."

…

We often watch videos of animals on youtube with Benjamin… elephants, penguins, etc., and yesterday we were watching an elephant video.  In the middle, the elephant trumpeted and it must have startled Benjamin.  He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, dat e-phant gares (scares) me."

Then, in what I can only guess was his way of expressing butterflies in his stomach or that nervous stomach-turning-over feeling, he said, "I fink I need a band-aid on my tummy."