Isabella

Yesterday, we had a broker open house at our home. The entire morning was spent getting the house picked up and sparkling clean. It's the first time that I had ever prepped my home for an event that I wouldn't be present for. It seems like all who came by had a good time, and that makes me happy. I always want our home to feel welcoming. Anyway, I had finished mopping and moved on to other items that needed to be scratched off my never ending "to-do" list. As I was straightening up the bedroom, I could hear Bella playing with the mop. She was mopping the tiles in front of the fireplace (someone has been paying extra close attention). I redirected her to the kitchen floor, and she went to town! She was beaming with pride as she moved the mop around to and fro. I'm sure she hit all the spots that I missed during my haste to get everything done.

After a while, much to Bella's chagrin, the fun had to come to an end. This brought on a huge conniption (that would later be outdone by a nuclear meltdown of epic proportions at Target). Her screams were so ear piercing (both times) that I'm fairly certain my friends on the west coast could hear her! She got over it 30 minutes later, and then it dawned on me. All she wanted to do was mimic what Mommy was doing. I had better appreciate it now because one of these days, I'm sure it's going to be a fight to get her to help out around the house.

Bella is so impressionable at this stage of the game. She wants to imitate everything from putting on Mommy's make-up right down to her brothers' toilet humor. She's learning where she fits into our family and is becoming a more active member. It's fun watching her figure out who she is. One thing is for certain. The child oozes confidence, and I admire that about her immensely. I am praying now that she can hold onto it tightly. It'll serve her well in the years to come.

I'm a bit biased, obviously, but she really is a lovely girl. She has just the right balance of girly girl and tomboy. She loves dresses, baby dolls and pretty glittery things, but isn't afraid to play hard and get a little dirty outside. She's strong-willed and independent, yet so lovable and sweet. She's a daddy's girl, but is always on the heels of her Mommy. I really look forward to the day when she understands who Jesus is and allows Him to work in her life. I feel deep down that she's destined for a wonderful life full of excitement and adventure (hopefully not too much of the risky variety though). I can already tell that she's going to be the type of girl that will want to spread her wings when she's all grown. This makes me proud, but there is some sadness, too. I just pray she won't fly too far away and knows that we'll always be eager to have her home.

Until that day comes, I'm going to enjoy all the special little moments I get to share with her. We'll keep having tea parties followed by adventures with Thomas the Train. We'll play with make-up, fix our hair, and paint fingers and toes. We'll glitter up everything we can get our hands on, bake cakes and cookies for no reason at all other than to be working on something together, and share secrets that only mothers and daughters can. I can't make time slow down, but I can soak up every moment with my beautiful little shadow. My darling, Isabella Marie, you have my heart always. I never thought that I would have a daughter, but God knew exactly what He was doing and sent you to us at just the right time. We love you all the sands on the shore and all the stars in the sky.

"For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him." - 1 Samuel 1:27