Adventures in Childhood: Micah at Three and a Half

micah-on-the-swing

This is Micah. Believe it or not, she's three and a half. I honestly cannot believe how quickly the past year has flown by. One minute, I was writing all about her adventures as a rambunctious little two and a half year old, and the next minute an entire year had passed. How is that possible?

At any rate, since I devoted an entire post to Kendall the other day, I figure it's only fair to devote another one to Micah. Attention hog that she is, I'm sure she would agree.

micah-all-dressed-up-and-ready-to-go

My little girl loves, I mean LOVES playing dress up. The tackier the better. Most days, as soon as she's finished with breakfast, she heads for her dress up bin and starts piling on the layers. In case you were wondering, as long as it matches your tutu, a Santa hat is always in season.

micah-jumping-full-of-energy

She's one big ball of energy. The girl never slows down. If I get a decent picture of her, it's nothing short of a miracle. She's constantly on the go. She's a girly girl, for sure, but she's not afraid to get sweaty either. She loves playing outside, kicking the soccer ball, and running hither and yon.

micah-and-her-dolls

Unless of course, she's zoned out watching Sofia the First with her babies, which, by the way, is one of her favorite pasttimes. She's been playing "Mama" for a long time, and she thinks she has it all down pat. I learn a lot about myself when I hear her talking to her babies. The girl repeats verbatim things I say to her all the time. Which means that she does, in fact, hear me, even if she pretends that she doesn't.

mich-best-big-sister-ever

She's a really good big sister. She loves Kendall, and she gets a major kick out of making her little sister giggle. No one can make Kendall laugh like Micah. Kendall adores her big sister, and for good reason. Micah can be so sweet when she wants to be. Fortunately, most of the time she wants to be sweet to her sister. That will probably change in years to come :)

micah-coloring-a-picture

She loves drawing, and, recently she's actually started to draw pictures instead of just scribbling on the page. For a long time, she refused to attempt to draw anything. She would hand me a crayon and ask me to draw a picture of a house...or a little girl...or a flower...or a sun...but she wouldn't even attempt to do so herself. Then all of a sudden one day while I was filling some orders in the etsy shop, I looked up, and she had drawn a picture of the two of us, complete with a rainbow over our heads. She never ceases to amaze.

micah-big-blue-eyes

I love this little girl. She thinks I'm amazing, but I know the truth: she's far more amazing than I will ever be. I pray that she never loses the sparkle in her big blue eyes - that she never takes herself too seriously - that she will always be her sister's protector - and most of all, that she would grow into a young woman who loves and serves the Lord with all of her heart.

This little lady makes me laugh daily. She reminds me to just let go and live a little. She has brought such joy into my life, and I love her so.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Only One Mother in the Whole World

mama-and-me-ca-1982

Mama and me, circa 1982

I know that the big day isn't until Sunday, but I didn't want to wait until then. I'll never be able to thank you for everything you've done for me over the past 30 years, and I hope you know that I wouldn't trade you for any other mother in the entire world. You're the only one I want.

“Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends—but only one mother in the whole world.”

—Kate Douglas Wiggin

Love you, Mama.

A New Journal: Be Filled with Joy

I'm a big fan of journaling. In fact, I've been writing in a diary or journal since I was in the fifth grade, and I've kept each and every one of them. They're precious to me—an integral part of my spiritual life and essential to my sanity. Writing things down helps me to remember not only where I've been, but also where I'm going.

A few weeks ago, we went to Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend, and as I strolled through the bookstore on campus, I was smitten by this journal by Katie Daisy. I've long been a fan of Katie's work, and her etsy shop is one of my favorites. When we get settled into a new home of our own, I fully intend to fill up my walls with some of her gorgeous and uplifting art.

But all of that's beside the point.

blank-journal-pages-pen-empty-diary

There's something about the blank pages in a brand new journal that makes me want to sit down and write for hours. I love the freshness and the newness—the blank slate—the clean start. It's one of the simplest pleasures in life, and it's one I enjoy immensely.

As for this particular journal, well, I chose it because I need the daily reminder to be filled with joy. If I'm not careful, I can skate my way through an entire day...or week...or month...without stopping to count my blessings or truly experience the joy of the little moments that make up my life.

I know that as far as resolutions go, the beginning of May is a little late to be making one, but oh well. Who says that resolutions are just for new years, anyway? I'm resolved that 2013 (the rest of it, anyway) will be a year of great joy.

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Psalm 51:12

This verse is my anthem. I'm looking for wonder and praying for joy in the everyday moments that make up my life.

What about you?

Until next time, grace and peace.