Spirit

So if you have spent even a brief few moments in the presence of my oldest daughter, you have no doubt been regaled with stories about Spirit.

Lily was introduced to this movie about a renegade mustang up at Memaw's house (you couldn't have guessed that right?).  Lily LOVES this movie.  She talks about it all the time.  She can practically give you a play by play.

It really is a super cute film about a free spirited, run with the eagles horse that fights to keep his freedom from the soldiers that want to break him, tame him, and make him work.  (OOOO I guess I should mention.....SPOILER ALERT).

He meets a sweet indian boy and his female horse Rain (you knew there had to be a love story).  The Indian and Rain free him from the Army soldiers and try to show Spirit that being in captivity doesn't mean you have to be a captive.  Spirit doesn't buy it, he wants to be free to "fly with the eagles."  The poor Indian works hard to teach him to be rideable, but discovers soon that Spirit won't ever be ridden.  So he sets Spirit free.

In a twist of fate though, Spirit gets captured again by the Army and taken to haul a train (Poor horse cannot catch a break).  Once Spirit realizes that the train he is hauling is headed towards his home, he makes a dramatic break while causing a train wreck leading to a forest fire that literally chases him down.  Inevitably his chain gets caught and who but the Indian shows up to free him.  They jump from the cliff and end up on the bank thus sealing their new friendship.  Heartwarming.

But that isn't the end.....

The army shows up again to capture him so Spirit and the Indian have to run.  Deciding that the Indian isn't bad, Spirit lets him ride him all the while defeating the pursuing soldiers. (Stay with me......I do have a point).  Spirit and the Indian ride up this trail that leads to a no way out plateau.  They are stuck.  The only way down is for Spirit to jump a chasm over the canyon and land on the other side.

So the Indian grabs a hold and Spirit starts to run.  Then, there is this intensely emotional moment.  Spirit leaps and "flys" over the canyon while the Indian spreads his arms and hollers.

It is incredibly moving and I cry every time.  The movie finishes with this precious moment between Spirit and the Indian, they hug each other and then the Indian lets Rain go with Spirit and they run off, truly free.

It's a kids cartoon, it shouldn't stir my emotions so much, but it does.  Perhaps its because it has taught me a few lessons.

1. Learning to trust someone can be the scariest thing.  You can trust and be captured and broken, or you can trust and be uplifted and freed.  You can never guarantee either, so never give up on opening yourself up to people.

2.  If you want something.....fight for it.  Every day, every hour.  Whether its your marriage, your faith, your family, your children or your sanity.  This world will always try to imprison you, fight to stay free.

3.  Freedom is a gift.  Don't take it for granted.

4.  When you are at the end of your rope, run and jump.  Sure, you may take a hard fall, but chances are you will find your wings and land on the other side.

5.  Any movie that is narrated by Matt Damon and has an entire musical score of Bryan Adams songs is bound to make a blubbering idiot out of anyone.

The Little Bee is 3 Months

As 9/11 approached I realized that this year I was going to remember the day for a wonderful reason.  Evie is 3 months!  A Quarter of her first year is already done and I am simply amazed with her little life.

She is now at that precious stage where she is just starting to show her little personality.  Between her smiles and her attempts at giggling, I am starting to see a little Evie Frances emerging.

Evie is becoming a FANTASTIC sleeper.  It just isn't an issue with her and it makes this crazy life a little more manageable.  We have a great system where we put Lily to bed and then Bob, Evie and I hang downstairs.  Evie nurses and goes to sleep around 8.  The best part is that once she is down.......she is down.  While she usually wakes up 2 times during the night, she always nurses and then goes right back to sleep.  It's amazing.  And then there are those nights like a few nights ago where she slept for 11.5 hours.  I made her sleep nurse at about 4:30 purely because I couldn't sleep.  Amazing!

Evie occasionally has really hard days where she and I just don't see eye to eye.  On those days, she spends most of her awake time screaming.  There is no nursing, swaddling or cuddling that will help.  It is hard, frustrating and completely demoralizing.  She is strong just like her sister and there have been times where all I can do is put her down and let her scream.  Live to fight another day.

Lily has really stepped into her big sister roll and Evie is happy to let her help with bath time and give her snuggles.  I love watching Evie around Lily because she is just mesmerized with everything the busy toddler is doing.  Evie loves her big sister, no doubt!

She LOVES being outside.  There is something about the breeze, brightness and colors that gets her all excited.  She is content in the jogger or in her little seat under the shade of the umbrella and many times when she is fussy, we just take a little backyard stroll.

One of the best things right now is that Evie sings with me.  I will sing her "Twinkle, Twinkle" or "Jesus Loves Me" and if she is in the right mood she will coo, caa, fluctuate her little voice and squeal as I sing to her.  It is the BEST.  Considering the fact that Lily tells me to "Stop singing, Mommy," whenever I sing to her, I love having a little one who sings with me.

My Little Evie Bee,  how I love you.  You make me happy, you make me smile and you give me joy.  I thank the Lord every day that He has allowed me to be your Mommy.  There is simply no greater joy than loving you and your sister.  I pray that as you grow you will know how special you are, and how amazing your life is.  Happy 3 months little one.  Can't wait to watch you grow!

Love Mom