Dare to be a Daniel

Emma is really in to singing these days. She makes up lyrics all the time to familiar tunes. She begs for her kid music in the car and sings at the top of her lungs, usually singing the wrong words. She even taught Mandy how to beg for music. Mandy claps her hands, tilts her head back and forth and says, "Lalalala." More often than not, I sacrifice my own sanity for the relative peace of children's music in the car.

A few days ago we were in the car and the familiar children's tune, "Dare to be a Daniel" came on. I know I've listened to this tune about 4 gazzilion times, but for Emma, the words finally sunk in for the first time. She exclaimed, "Daniel! That's my other name." I pointed out that yes, Danielle is her middle name and she was named for her granddad whose name is Daniel. Since a 3-year-old milestone is for a child to be able to say her WHOLE name, I often quiz her, making her repeat her first, middle, and last name. I asked her to say her whole name for me. She said, with enthusiasm, "My name is Emmawe Danielle Obey." Apparently she hears, "Emmaleigh Danielle obey" more than her last name. I guess it can't hurt to have a commandment in your name.