This is my princess. I could talk for days about the joy and blessing she is and what she means to me. I won’t, but I could. She is growing and maturing so much, so quickly. There is no “baby” left in her. And though that saddens me, I love watching her grow and learn. She’s helpful. She takes care of Cale, she likes to help me with chores. She loves t-shirts and shopping. She’s opinionated and head strong. She has a thought about everything and talks all day. I mean all day. Sometimes at night, while she’s still talking my brain simply checks out and she goes, “Mom, hey mom! Are you listening to me!” It wears me out, literally. I think she’s beautiful and not just because she’s mine. Sometimes when I look at her it takes my breath away and I can’t believe that someone that looks like that came from me…she’s angelic. She has an attitude, she talks back. That should be fun in about 10 years. She loves the Lord. She understands things about her Heavenly father that I didn’t grasp until I was a teenager. She’s smart. She’s precious. While we were outside today she said, “Momma, God made today perfect. Sometimes, it’s hot and sometimes it’s cold. But today He did good.” She makes my heart swell. She doesn’t miss a thing. She sees more detail in things I don’t even notice. She asks questions all the time, all day. We have left the “why” stage and she now wants to know things that require me to think, explain or even google. Most days I feel like I’m on repeat with “I don’t know .” Some of the things I don’t know are: Why didn’t God make mermaids real? Do ducks have ears? Do cats and dogs cry? What happened to all the animals in the sea when God sent the flood? (Obviously, they weren’t negatively affected.) Why do we have storms? Do snakes eat bugs? Do all bees sting? Are bees afraid of snakes? Basically, anything to do with animals. Why do people pierce their lips? Does God like that? How does a tattoo never come off? I could go on. She will tell you something and will repeat it until she gets a response. You could be looking directly at her, but if you don't acknowledge her with actual sound she just repeats it. She still dresses up. She is obsessed with belts and high-heeled boots. She loves to sing. She loves to dance. It’s too early to tell if either of those will be her God-given gifts. Though I cry whenever she does either of those, but then again I am mom. She starts kindergarten in the fall, I’m going to miss her terribly…I’m not ready to talk about that yet. She keeps me in line, she doesn’t forget anything, except picking up her clothes and shoes. She’s messy. She’s full of compassion and passionate. Dramatic, she is very dramatic. And, a band-aid still fixes about anything. She likes taking care of people and telling them what to do. I thank the Lord for her several times a day.
This is my prince. We went outside today. As we were walking down the stairs he stopped, looked at me, held up his hand. I grabbed it and he said, “I got you mom.” I knew he did. You know, I’m the mom, I’m the adult. And, I don’t know what it was about my baby saying the he’s “got me” that gave me such comfort. But, it did. I always heard that the relationship between a mother and a son was very special. Before I had one of my own I didn’t understand that. And in the spirit of honesty and transparency I’m going to say that I thought it was weird. People would always tell me, “boys really love their mommas.” Ok. Girls really love their mommas too. Ella "really" loves me. I’m almost 30 and I still need my mom so what does that mean. I never really said anything…sometimes the good Lord gives us the good sense not to say every dumb thought that comes to our mind and those would be the times that I would exercise that gift. But, I get it now. I can’t explain it, but I understand. And, I’m going to jump on the “boys love their mommas” train. And, I’m thankful for it! The Lord has AWESOME ways of teaching and showing us the things we don’t understand. Cale is humble. He is quick to apologize and say he is sorry. He won’t go to bed mad or let you be mad. When he gets in trouble he says “I’m sorry” quicker than anybody I’ve ever known. He gets that from Matt. I’m not afraid to admit it and I’m glad he’s that way. He is very loving. He cuddles and plays with my hair and says, “I likey hair.” It melts my heart. The very next second he’s throwing something at Ella or pinching her. He has a mean streak. He’s passionate and determinated, but not too proud to ask for help when he needs it. My prayer is that we can fuel his passions for His glory. The guy from DirecTV was here the other day. He looked at Cale then looked back at me and said, "He looks like he could get in some trouble." He has no idea. Cale loves food, all food. That should also be fun in about 10 years. When he eats he gives you hugs and pats you the whole time. Meals are a very friendly time at our house. He loves t-shirts too and changing clothes…I thank Ella for that one. He loves Cars and Toy Story…all things Cars and Toy Story. When he sees something in a store that he likes he hugs it and says, “I yub him.” He’ll sit and watch an entire movie. He loves outside. He only sits to watch a movie otherwise he's perpetual motion. He attracts dirt like a magnet, but does not want it on his hands. He’s afraid of bugs…for now. He likes to dress up in Ella’s heels and carry his Hot Wheels in her fur purse, which he calls a "puhs." It sounds British. He likes boots like daddy’s. He’s tough, but tender and a pack of fruit snacks will fix about anything. He touches EVERYTHING. He puts everything in his mouth. He eats dirt, touches toilets and ironically is the least sick of all of us. He is Matt from head to toe. They are built the same, walk the same, stand the same, like the same things. He has no interest in potty training. I’m not seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. He flat out does not want to use the potty other than to swirl things around in it or flush it. I love when he says, “I yub boo, mom.” I hope I never forget what that sounds like.
They test my patience and frustrate me to the core. But, they give me more joy and fill my heart with gladness. My cup overflows...daily.
Ella and Cale before church on Resurrection Sunday!!
My sweetest blessings...
They spent the rest (most) of the afternoon fishing...
