Today, Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 is Elizabeth's 5th birthday. She has been anxiously anticipating this day for as long as her little memory can stretch. One of the first statements out of her mouth this morning was, "I have been waiting for this day!" It means so much to her. She feels very grown up and able to do many more things and now she is old enough to go to kindergarten. (It has been very difficult for her to comprehend that she wasn't going to wake up this morning and go straight to a new kindergarten class. The next few months will be extremely difficult as she waits for school to begin.)
I asked her this evening, after a fun filled day of celebrations, what she has learned over the past 5 years. She said, "I think it was really nice of Heavenly Father to let us have birthdays." I tried to get more out of her but she just said, "Mommy, can I go play please?"
Yes, sweetheart, you go play. You go learn and grow and become the amazing daughter of our Father in Heaven I know you are. It continues to be an honor to be your mother. I pray every day that our Father in Heaven will guide me as I guide you. Thank you for being so patient and loving with me - I don't always return that favor. I'm working on that. Here are a few lessons I've learned over the past 5 years...
The sound of your laughter - especially when you are laughing with your brother - is my favorite sound.
Never underestimate a child's ability to want to do what is right and have amazing spiritual experiences.
The world is an exciting, wonderful, amazing place. Filled with so much to discover.
It is fun to make new friends.
I understand why the Savior wants us to have faith like a little child - it is pure and sweet and powerful.
I can be completely exhausted, the house can be a mess and my life seemingly out of control, but when you say, "I love you mommy", everything is put back in perspective and I know what is most important.
You are a normal, active, inquisitive little girl who acts her age on most occasions. But sometimes, you say or do things that have convinced me that your spirit is much older and wiser than mine.My heart is capable of intense love and yet, that is only a fraction of the love our Father feels for us.
Thank you, thank you sweet, adorable Lizzy. You have changed my life and I will never be the same. I look forward to an eternity with you.
Love,
Mommy
Happy Birthday Lizzy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post! Your pictures are adorable. Lisa-Best of luck to you on that first day of Kindergarten!
Happy Birthday to Lizzy!! How fun to be starting school and awesome that she's looking forward to it!! I hope she keeps up that desire as she gets older and goes through the grades :) That is always wanted and appreciated as a teacher to have a student that WANTS to come to school :)
ReplyDeleteThat is very sweet Lisa. She is a special daughter of God. I also agree that sometimes she is older than her age.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed that she likes the scriptures, I don't know what to do to get Zeeli and Emma Jo to like them. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteWell, first of all Patty, the reason why I have a picture of her with the scriptures is because I knew I might not see that again for a while so I took a picture. I don't know what she had been doing with them before she fell asleep. I just saw the scene and ran for the camera.
ReplyDeleteSecond, your girls probably already love the scriptures and when you think they aren't paying attention or learning, they really are. I think the key is to just never give up. As I wrote in my post, don't underestimate your child's ability to feel the spirit. Give them opportunities all the time and help them recognize what they are feeling. I am actually going to post some things on my blog about helping children feel the spirit so look for that post.
You are an amazing mother Patty, I have do doubt. I also have no doubt your girls are just like you. :)