Our Sweet Caroline,
You're Three!! How did that happen so quickly? After two boys, we were surprised and so delighted that you were coming. You have been a sweet blessing, full of laughter and joy since you came into the world on Christmas night.
A little about who you are right now at three years old...
You are a little mommy who delights in nurturing your own little girl, Lila. You are gentle and patient and sweet with her, singing as you tuck her in for naps. You change her when she's dirty (using all of Benjamin's wipes!), nurse her when she's hungry, "wear" her in your sling when she's fussy and leave me with very detailed instructions when I'm "watching" her for you. You love to play house with Sam and are always so excited to announce the birth of a new baby - you're the parents of 14 at last count.
With all of your "girly-ness", you also love to tramp through the woods (which you just started saying correctly - we miss "woobs"!) with your big brothers. When they dress up in their cowboy or Marine costumes and gather their weapons for battle outside, you head to your room and put on your pink tutu. You have to have something to put your sword into, after all. You're not the most graceful little thing, though you rarely cry after taking one of your many tumbles. You love playing with the boys and Daddy and I are so glad that you have them. You're so glad that they each have a "scoon kin cap" for you to borrow and rifles to carry. Yesterday you told me as we were walking through the woods that you would be Davy Crockett and I could be Georgie. I'll be your side-kick anyday, sweet girl.
As your mommy's daughter, you love good food. Your favorite snack is a bowl of cranberries, nuts and chocolate chips, which you would happily eat several times a day if given the choice. You always ask for them with your little lisp that we love so much. You love pancakes, but you don't like syrup. Milk is your favorite drink. You look especially forward to Maw Maw's visits because you know she'll be bringing yogurt.
You are Mommy's helper in every way; my little shadow in all of my cleaning, cooking or baking chores. You can roll out a pie crust like no other three year old! You really love baking bread and showing it to daddy when he gets home. You have eyes only for your "sweet daddy", as you call him and he wouldn't have it any other way. You love to ride upstairs on his back, a kiss on the neck making him "go". You also love the singing part of our family time at night. We laugh every time when you choose Joyful, Joyful when your turn for picking comes around. It's been your favorite for a while! You love music and always have a song that you've claimed as "yours" no matter what we're listening to. The doxology, Arise, my Soul and Sweet Caroline always get you singing and dancing.
You have definitely challenged Daddy and I to be firm and consistent in our teaching and discipline with you. You have a mind of your own and consequences seem to be a necessary evil after all of your fun has been had. : ) But you are quick to be reconciled and willing to get back to your normal, happy little self after being corrected.
You love to be snuggled and held and read to. You have already almost memorized your current favorite book, Little House in the Big Woods (My First Little House Book), which we read at least once a day. You love to snuggle on your bed with your little blankie and read along with me. And don't even think about missing any parts! You especially love the part where Pa sings Yankee Doodle. Your snuggles don't end at book reading - we often wake in the morning and find that you've snuck into bed with us at some point in the night. We know it's your most favorite place to be, warm and cozy right in between your two favorite people (and we kinda like it, too!). We know that they day will come all too soon when you'll think you're way too big for that.
Caroline, you have taught me so much and caused me to realize more than ever before how important it is that I be able to provide an example worthy of being followed. I've seen my own shortcomings in you from time to time (a glimpse of sassiness, a sharp word, a grumpy heart) and I'm reminded that you are watching and learning from me every second. Remembering that the wife and mommy you grow into will largely be affected by the wife and mommy you live with now causes me to seek grace and wisdom more than ever. You are our precious little Peach and we want nothing more for you than that you grow into a girl, a young lady, a woman who loves and serves her Lord above all else.
Happy third birthday, little lady! We love you so very much.
You're Three!! How did that happen so quickly? After two boys, we were surprised and so delighted that you were coming. You have been a sweet blessing, full of laughter and joy since you came into the world on Christmas night.
A little about who you are right now at three years old...
You are a little mommy who delights in nurturing your own little girl, Lila. You are gentle and patient and sweet with her, singing as you tuck her in for naps. You change her when she's dirty (using all of Benjamin's wipes!), nurse her when she's hungry, "wear" her in your sling when she's fussy and leave me with very detailed instructions when I'm "watching" her for you. You love to play house with Sam and are always so excited to announce the birth of a new baby - you're the parents of 14 at last count.
With all of your "girly-ness", you also love to tramp through the woods (which you just started saying correctly - we miss "woobs"!) with your big brothers. When they dress up in their cowboy or Marine costumes and gather their weapons for battle outside, you head to your room and put on your pink tutu. You have to have something to put your sword into, after all. You're not the most graceful little thing, though you rarely cry after taking one of your many tumbles. You love playing with the boys and Daddy and I are so glad that you have them. You're so glad that they each have a "scoon kin cap" for you to borrow and rifles to carry. Yesterday you told me as we were walking through the woods that you would be Davy Crockett and I could be Georgie. I'll be your side-kick anyday, sweet girl.
As your mommy's daughter, you love good food. Your favorite snack is a bowl of cranberries, nuts and chocolate chips, which you would happily eat several times a day if given the choice. You always ask for them with your little lisp that we love so much. You love pancakes, but you don't like syrup. Milk is your favorite drink. You look especially forward to Maw Maw's visits because you know she'll be bringing yogurt.
You are Mommy's helper in every way; my little shadow in all of my cleaning, cooking or baking chores. You can roll out a pie crust like no other three year old! You really love baking bread and showing it to daddy when he gets home. You have eyes only for your "sweet daddy", as you call him and he wouldn't have it any other way. You love to ride upstairs on his back, a kiss on the neck making him "go". You also love the singing part of our family time at night. We laugh every time when you choose Joyful, Joyful when your turn for picking comes around. It's been your favorite for a while! You love music and always have a song that you've claimed as "yours" no matter what we're listening to. The doxology, Arise, my Soul and Sweet Caroline always get you singing and dancing.
You have definitely challenged Daddy and I to be firm and consistent in our teaching and discipline with you. You have a mind of your own and consequences seem to be a necessary evil after all of your fun has been had. : ) But you are quick to be reconciled and willing to get back to your normal, happy little self after being corrected.
You love to be snuggled and held and read to. You have already almost memorized your current favorite book, Little House in the Big Woods (My First Little House Book), which we read at least once a day. You love to snuggle on your bed with your little blankie and read along with me. And don't even think about missing any parts! You especially love the part where Pa sings Yankee Doodle. Your snuggles don't end at book reading - we often wake in the morning and find that you've snuck into bed with us at some point in the night. We know it's your most favorite place to be, warm and cozy right in between your two favorite people (and we kinda like it, too!). We know that they day will come all too soon when you'll think you're way too big for that.
Caroline, you have taught me so much and caused me to realize more than ever before how important it is that I be able to provide an example worthy of being followed. I've seen my own shortcomings in you from time to time (a glimpse of sassiness, a sharp word, a grumpy heart) and I'm reminded that you are watching and learning from me every second. Remembering that the wife and mommy you grow into will largely be affected by the wife and mommy you live with now causes me to seek grace and wisdom more than ever. You are our precious little Peach and we want nothing more for you than that you grow into a girl, a young lady, a woman who loves and serves her Lord above all else.
Happy third birthday, little lady! We love you so very much.