Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Big Party Five years ago. . .







Somehow before you know it five years goes by and you go from here to there in a flash. Emie came into the world with great celebration and the merriment and the fun pretty much hasn't stopped since.

She has such a contagious zest for life it is seriously impossible not to smile around her. Everything is cause for celebration and if her precious mouth isn't in the shape of an "O" to exclaim her excitement about something then she's smiling or laughing about it instead.

Five years old. Hard to believe it's been that long since Dr. Cho said the words I really hoped she would, "It's a girl!" But I never could have dreamt what I was in for. Spirited, lovely, playful, joyful, bright, winsome you Miss Emerson Hope the very first. You delight my soul.

I love watching you grow and learn and do learn quite plenty from you as well. I've lost count of the number of times you've said, "Good job," or "You're doing that well," to me or someone else. Your gift of encouragement is unmatched and such a treasure to those around you. Your tenderness with your sister is beautiful and frankly quite wise beyond your years. Noteworthy since Ainsley love is known to yank your hair or pitch your glasses in her efforts to explore the boundaries of social graces. But you laugh it off and call her Noodle Doodle or Silly Baby and don't hold it against her. It's a great way to go - to keep no record of wrongs and laugh not only at the days to come but at the one were in this very moment as well.

You almost always know what Ainsley needs when she's sad or crying and are so careful with her that it melts me to no end. Just the other day I was struggling (for the third or fourth time that morning) to get that girl's Pamper back on since she is so fond of whipping it off and running around buck naked. She was fighting me in this and had no interest in being hindered by the confines of a diaper (why this feels like a ball and chain to her I don't yet know) but you said, emphatically but with respect, "Mamma, just let her be. Please let her be," so I did. I just laid down the Pamper and let the little love run naked all a giggle. What was the difference anyway? We were the only ones home and we do have wall to wall hardwood floors for some reason after all. The point is this: you knew enough to tell me to stop majoring on a minor. To remember that our value is full, abundant life and a little naked behind waving in the breeze never hurt a soul.

I love you, girl. So much my heart aches inside. You sparkle, shine, and make our lives beautiful. Happy, Happy Birthday. Five looks so good on you.

p.s. I love that even waiting in line for the rides on your birthday you look nothing short of gorgeous.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010



So I was out the other evening for a bit and Dirk was hanging out with the girls. I came home just as he was leaving Emie's room after putting her to bed. He told me she'd been asking about me and thought she'd be especially pleased if I went in to bid her goodnight myself. I walked into her room to find her snug under her quilt happily whispering, "Mommy!" to me as I walked toward her. After kissing her head and cheeks and nose a number of times she asked "Would you like to sleep in here with me?"

I told her that I wanted to be sure she'd get plenty of rest because the next day was a fun playdate with friends so I'd have to decline. She graciously said, "Okay - and I'm sure daddy will be so happy to see you." Now if that just isn't too precious for words than I'm not quite sure what is. Not only did she accept my no without one bit of fuss but she went on to exclaim just how much her not getting what she'd hoped for would bless her daddy all the more.

She's nearly five so we have our moments where we're both exhausted beyond measure...but she gets it right so much of the time. I love the lesson for me: God's "no" always means there's a bigger and better yes coming and it might just allow me the opportunity to be available to bless someone else in the process of accepting His plans instead of demanding my own.

There's Only One Ainsley and that's a Cryin' Shame


Monday, July 12, 2010

Gettin' the job done



I never thought I was a control freak - still don't actually. But it's fair to say that I like a fair amount of control where the care of my little lambs are concerned. Reasonable, say you - thank you - until you learn that this control extends even into the realm of the precious girls' daddy. I know, I know. But I do like it the way I like it.

He knows that I have a system that makes this ship sail smoothly and he's awfully good about following orders even when I'm gone. (smile). He knows that cute really is a non-negotiable where clothing and hair accessories are concerned and the rest is of his choosing once we know the girls are out of danger and covered in love. Always are when he's around - lover of the girls that he is.

So you'll understand why, after being gone for a mere 52 minutes yesterday afternoon, I walked in to find this reality and could not help but bust out laughing. Ainsley, known to remove her Pamper on any whim, would walk around "nakie" all the day long if anyone let her. Hub had tired quite quickly of refastening the thing around her precious hips several times in my short absence. So, in his male ingenuity, he came up with a fool-proof solution. Duct tape. This picture will never do it justice, ever. But it's a moment permanently etched in my brain for always. A daddy getting the job done - with love, and care, and even a little cute (note the headband). It's not perfect but I'm just sayin'...