I love watching my daughter grow up. It's fascinating. I feel like I'm living in my own Discovery Channel documentary on child development. Kids say and do the funniest things, ya know? It's amazing how quickly Sitora picks up on vocabulary and then uses it almost immediately. Today I was putting her to bed and for no apparent reason she exclaimed, "I can't believe it!" I laughed out loud and tried to remember if I said that phrase recently.
Our children are watching us. In fact, someone is always watching us, no matter who we are. We had better be walking the talk or else our lives will be hypocritical. I realize this everyday and beg Father to give me grace, to help me to be the woman He wants me to be.
The other day I found myself upset with Sitora and feeling guilty about the way I handled the situation. I got down on my knees, looked her in the eyes, and asked her to forgive mommy for making a mistake. She immediately said yes and gave me the squishiest, warmest, most heartfelt hug in the universe. **And yes I realize that grammar was incorrect. I did that on purpose :) ** Oh how much I can learn from my own daughter. Am I that quick to forgive others?
I'm pretty sure most moms get excited when their child starts learning the alphabet, communicating better, and learning words and phrases. But the reason I am excited for Sitora's vocabulary development is because I am so anxious to talk about everything with her. I love discussing her bible together, answering her millions of questions like, "Why is that man sad, mommy?" and "What color is that?" I love explaining to her while I'm cooking and baking so she understands how food is made. I love using a globe to teach her about geography so that she can pray for all the countries of the world (tonight it was Saudi Arabia!) I don't necessarily care about intellect for intellect's sake. No. It's so much deeper than that.
I want her to learn about the world as it relates to our awesome Father in Heaven - because it was in fact He who created it all! I want all her head knowledge to turn into heart knowledge. I want her to learn about the world and have it cause her to fall in love with her Creator even more. I want to talk to her about being a girl, about growing up, about her thoughts and dreams, about her questions and fears. I want her to know that I am here for her, always.
We're like two peas-in-a-pod, she and I. Being a mom is way harder and more rewarding than I ever imagined it would be.
And you know one of the reasons I love my daughter so much? Because she's so much like her daddy.
She really is.
Love this post Casey!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can so relate how much fun it is to REALLY communicate about the significant stuff with your kids. Just the other day, Anna melted our hearts when she was talking with Nate and said "Today I prayed in school. I prayed all the things that you pray. I prayed for the baby, I prayed that Luci would know Jesus, and I prayed for all the kids in my class." It is so precious and heartwarming to see them really get it! And then, a different day, I was talking about how we can know Jesus and how we much ask Him in, she said "i did that. I remember when I prayed that with Daddy in my bedroom. I remember that Mommy." So precious!!! I think Sitora remind me a lot of Anna. You already are having precious moments, but it continues to get better and better!
You are doing such an amazing job raising little Sitora Casey. I am so proud of you...you're the best mom a child could ever have (except for me..ha ha).
ReplyDeleteLOVE MOM/NANA