First Words

For about the past week or so A4 has been talking up a storm! She can say the following words: Mama (my favorite), Dada, do (dog), Mo (More-this one is shouted, usually, and she's mastered the sign for it!), no no no (not clearly but we know what she's saying and she shakes her hand at us like we do when we are trying to get her to stop something) and there are so many things that we haven't quite figured out yet that she repeats so it must mean something to her! She also shakes her head side to side when we ask where the crazy baby is and can dance like a pro! So cute!
I can remember all of the other girls saying their first words and trying to have them say them over and over. Of coarse they say them at home while no one is around but if you try to have them perform for others they freeze making us look like we've made it all up! Her voice is so special to me! Each of my girls have their own distinct voice and they are all so precious! A3 likes to call for me from across the room and when I get to her she usually just says, "I love you bigger than the whole bad world". For some reason she says "bad" world instead of "whole wide world". I guess that's the way she hears it when I say it! A2 has been saying, "I want to stay with you wherever you go". If only I can keep her wanting to stay with me forever and never move away! A1 is no longer a little kid so she tends to just talk (without pause) about everything going on in her mind and the things that she's done all day! She's an amazing communicator! I treasure the moments when I can sit and talk with all of them. They all seem to light up when we get to sneak in some "alone time" when it's just one of them and me. Even the baby seems to feel excited to get some one on one time!
While I'm writing about time with my girls I can't help but think of how God must feel when I spend some one on one time with Him (uninterrupted). Sometimes I feel like I'm lacking in my prayer time because I am so busy with my girls. I've felt guilty at times but then I remind myself that I am serving God all day while I am raising my girls. I get numerous little mini-prayers in all day long and I think God is happy to get those moments just as much as He would if I sat for an hour in meditation with Him. I will have my season for longer quiet times and retreats but I think those will also be times when I'm longing for the days when my girls were young again! So, I am soaking in all of the baby talk and little princess conversations now and thanking God constantly for the special moments that make up my days!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." Isaiah 66:13