My sweet little Evangeline will be 3 years old this week. I can't believe how fast time goes by. So much can happen in a year. I mean... that's a lot of tantrums. Lots of time outs. Hundreds of poopy diapers. Lots of play dates. 365 days that I actually made it through, without losing my mind.
She's really learned how to talk this year. She wasn't a big talker until at least a year and a half old. But now, this girl talks ALL DAY LONG. I actually get out of breath just trying to answer all of her questions. The big question these days is "WHAT?"
Before I even finish what I'm... "WHAT?!" ... trying to say... It's exhausting, but hysterical. Right now we're working on changing it to "Excuse me?"
I must say that the tantrums started just before she turned 2... and have continued all year. We've had a few breakthroughs over the past month... so maybe this year will be better?! I've learned so much this year. I've learned to be patient. I've learned that there isn't a 'formula' for getting your child to stop screaming or behave... but rather a reliance upon the Holy Spirit to guide me each minute of every day. I've learned to lay aside my ego and learn to parent my children based on conviction rather than what I think the people around me are doing or would 'approve of'. Of course, I haven't mastered these things... but just thankful that my eyes are being opened to the lessons the Lord has for me in this season of motherhood.
I've learned to take lots of pictures and tell lots of stories... I want to remember every detail (well almost every detail) of these whimsical years. I've learned to sit down and snuggle with my babies... even when the house is upside down and I haven't showered all day. I've learned to make up songs.
"Mommy," Doodle said as she crawled up in my lap after disobediently getting out of her crib the other day ... "Sing me a song about MERCY."
I've learned that if you can't think of a relevant song about 'Mercy' in a moment's notice... then the only natural thing to do, as a mother, is to make one up. I want my child to know what mercy is... so we'll sing about it til the cows come home.
We still love stickers and bubbles...
Stickers on everything... bubbles on everything...
I think the best part of this past year has been seeing Elliot and Evangeline become 'best friends'. At this time last year she would climb up on the couch next to me while I was nursing 'Baby Brotha' and then proceed to stomp on his head. Those were some seriously treacherous days. But now, she's caring and nurturing towards him... in her own way, which is a bit aggressive, but still a step in the right direction. She is truly compassionate towards him, after she plows over him, of course... but she'll fall apart when she realizes that she's 'hurt his feelings', then spend the next 30 minutes trying to give him a hug and smother him with sisterly affection... which usually results in accidentally plowing him over again. Plow, apologize, chase and hug... REPEAT. That's how the majority of our days are spent around here.
So, as I'm bustling around getting ready for her party this week... I want to stop and remember the beautiful details of this past year. We've made it another year... and that's definitely worth celebrating. Some people might see birthdays and parties as something frivolous... or another thing to check off the list. But not around here... Birthday's are a big deal. Another year with this beautiful gift, Evangeline. Another year of watching my little girl learn and grow. Another year of tantrums, messes, sleepless nights, poopy diapers, bumps and bruises, time outs (and other forms of discipline). Another box of clothes she's outgrown, new friends that she insists on holding hands with then hits them if they decline her request, new songs she's learned and the small battles that we've conquered... we're thankful that she's ours...
Happy Birthday Doodle-bug! We love you!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy (or 'Hey Mom'... 'Dad'... as she would say, because she thinks she's fourteen)...
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