“You know who’s nine feet tall and bigger den anysing?”
“Who Laina?”
“Jesus.”
“Yes Laina, you’re probably right.”
We go through this on a fairly consistent basis. I’m not 100% sure where Laina has gotten her biblical information. A handful from Pat and I now and again, she went to a Christian preschool for maybe three months last year, and we’ve been watching The Veggie Tales lately so it could be a combination of any or all of those factors.
“I know who makes da rainbows, you know who?”
“Who Laina?”
“Jesus.”
“Yes Laina, you’re right.”
There’s something about that little girl. A lightness that has never met grief. A smile that begets more smiles. A spirit that is genuine and sweet.
“Do you know who made all da apples in da world?”
“Who Laina?”
“Jesus.”
“Yes Laina, that’s good.”
She’s happy just to be playing with her big sister. They color for hours and dress up and destroy rooms. She’s happy just to be playing with her little brother. They chase down hallways and push trains and also destroy rooms.
She’s happy, just to be.
“You know who will make my tummy feel better?”
“Who Laina”
“Jesus.”
“Yes Laina, let’s hope so.”
Her name is derived from ‘Elaine’, which is said to mean “sun ray, shining light”.
I would say this is so.
Hillary says
Beautiful! I love how you write–and your daughter is absolutely precious.
mjrodriguez says
you said it! she’s really adorable!
Jannica says
And thanks to Jesus you have a beautiful “sun ray, shining light” in your life!
Claire says
this is so sweet! makes me excited for my little girl to get older so i can see her personality more clearly :)
Stephanie I says
Twirling is such a sweet thing…I hope you twirl with her. It’s sad when a girl loses her twirl…don’t let that happen. Twirl forever!
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop. says
Adorable!!! What a darling, darling girl with an beautiful spiritual side!
I used to ask my children (when they were 3ish), where does Jesus live? The response: “In my heart.” Loved that. And it really impressed the grandparents.
Shell says
Too cute! Shine on, Laina!
Jennifer says
I love the way kids look at the world and see only the good. I guess that they are kind of like a reminder to us that things aren’t all bad.
Michelle says
What a sweet post. You sound like you have a wonderful girl on your hands.
Paula Kiger says
Yeah, let’s ALL get a piece of that light into our jaded psyches!! Love it. AND in a very weird karma synchrony kind of way (to me at least) it is so weird that I just drafted my poem for the writing prompt this week (someone who makes you smile) and it incorporated a young girl (around Laina’s age) and how that innocence makes me smile. Uncanny. :-)
MommyLisa says
My daughter would LOVE to come help Laina destroy rooms. :) So cute.
Sugar Mama says
Oh the faith of a child is beautiful!
And in response to what you wrote on Twitter…. I think it’s perfectly fine to write about your children as long as you don’t cross their personal boundaries. As their mother, you’ll know what they would feel comfortable with and what they wouldn’t. I just try to think before posting “is this something that could upset them if read 10 years from now”. Or “if their friends came across this post would it be humiliating?” If the answer is no to both, then I post. That’s just my opinion.
Megan (Best of Fates) says
I think you’ve always done a good job only revealing what is appropriate – I’m glad you’ve decided to continue writing about your kids. You do it so well.
Brittany Ciara says
She is simply precious!
Kelly@Childhood says
Omgooses… she looks just like you! For reals! What a sweet girl… My girls play together for hours as well. I just love that. Thanks for sharing this little insight into your life… I feel happy just reading. xo
Jen says
I LOVED this post. She is one really, really special girl you have there. :)
Loukia says
Aw. She’s so precious, and very beautiful. Just like this post! :) Sunshine!
Booyah's Momma says
What a sweet heart your little one has.
And, clearly, she also has a rockin’ sense of style.
Tammy johnson says
she is beautiful… I love the skirt that look like what both my girls would have been doing in a skirt like that
Tammy says
beautiful post. You have a beautiful daughter.
Kathy says
I agree, she is a ray of shining light :)
Gwen says
What a beautiful post! I really love the flow of it, broken by the GORGEOUS photos. It was stunning. Well done!
Kir says
what a beautiful little light indeed. :) she is simply Gorgeous
My twins (almost 3) are now very fascinated with God, Jesus and things going on in “God’s house” ..it’s interesting to see them come up with their own answers. :)
Angelia Sims Hardy says
There is something special about little girls that twirl. :-)
Shell says
She is adorable!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Awww, how special! I love her bubbly personality and the way kids think. :)
liz says
Jesus may make the rainbows, but Laina definitely gets her pizazz from her mama! :)
Texan Mama says
I agree. What a beautiful girl – inside AND out!!
Tracy P. says
Oops! I needed a tissue warning for that one. Makes me want to hug her!
Diane says
You’ll look back on this one day and be so thankful you wrote it down because it’s simply priceless. What a little angel!
Stacey says
She is definitely sunshine. What a sweet post.
Grace @ Arms Wide Open says
that is absolutely precious!
Amy says
So beautiful! My daughter (my first) is just 2 weeks old today. This made me smile amidst dropping hormones. Thanks for some perspective.
No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane says
Kids are brilliant. Yours is no exception.
Precious!
Lindsay @ Just My Blog says
She is the most precious of the precious things. You chose a perfect name for her.
Kim says
How blessed you are to have such a beautiful, happy little girl. I hope her life continues to be full of sun rays and shining light – all children deserve that.
Mama Mary says
Precious!
Riana says
I loved this.
JDaniel4's Mom says
What a ray of sunshine!
Missy @ My Life Aint Always Beautiful says
What a beautiful little girl. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Kris @ Mommy Miscellaneous says
Such a beautiful and smart little girl! My daughter’s name is Alayna, we call her Lainie too. Her name is also derived from Elaine and means the same. Such a beautiful name for beautiful girls. :)
Mommy Miscellaneous
Jennifer says
I love skirts that spin and she wears them well. What a cutie!
BTW, I love your blog and your vlogs!
Jessica says
The innocence of a child…. *sigh*
It makes my heart happy!
Jessica says
What a beautiful name! My mother’s middle name was Elaine – Laina is a wonderful variation.