My Strong-Willed Child

What? Are any of you surprised that Brad and myself would create a child that wasn't a type A, stubborn, independent, fiery little ball of fun? Well, I have to say that as much as I expected it, I didn't realize that it would be this hard.

He is stubborn.

He is lovable.

He is independent.

He is funny.

He likes things to be just so.

He is helpful.

He loves more deeply than most children I have encountered and he argues more passionately than ANY child I have ever met.

But as hard as he is to tolerate....and yes I said tolerate, he is my amazing, wonderful, exhausting, precious child and I could not imagine one minute without him in our lives.

Lately I have been reading The Strong Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson because there are some days when I lay down at night to go to sleep and all I can think about is did I do enough for him today, am I molding him to be a kind person, a humble person, a person who loves Jesus and loves others with all his heart, a person who is responsible for his own choices and actions, a person who feels loved unconditionally and affirmed? Am I doing enough for him? And the answer is not always, I am not always the best mother that I could be and that answer is just not good enough.

But I am trying to learn how to love, discipline and respect this crazy, highly opinionated, strong willed child of mine that God blessed me with. I am learning how to shape his will, rather than break his will and it is not an easy job. More than anything I am on my knees asking for guidance when it comes to the daily battles of life.

Braden Wright Hoffman- even when you make my mornings stressful, my days very eventful and at times my evenings positively dreadful, you are still my amazing, beautiful, strong child and I love you more than life.

My Little Giraffe

I love online shopping and one of my favorite places is Children's Place, especially when they have their Monster Sale. Last year, before Parker was born I ordered an adorable giraffe costume for Halloween (I only paid $2.99 for it). I was so excited when the box came until I pulled it out and realized that I ordered a 0-6 month costume instead of 6-12 month. Stupid pregnancy brain!

Today I pulled it out just so I could see him in it one time and he was the cutest little giraffe I ever did see. I am so very sad that it won't fit him at Halloween. Now I need some other ideas for costumes!

On the prowl...if giraffes prowled!

Can you say cute?

Game Day

Since Brad and I pull for two different college teams we decided when Braden was little that we would pull for both teams (unless they play each other) and encourage our kids to do the same until they are old enough to pick sides...I mean teams! So we started the day all decked out in our Dawgs gear (don't they look good in red and black?)...

...and ended the day in Tiger gear!

To make matters even more complicated, my brother recently moved to Oxford, MS to attend Ole Miss- so of course they now have Ole Miss gear as well!

As long as they don't become Gators or Gamecocks we'll be fine!