Gracie Can Moo, Can You?

I haven't been writing much these days. Mostly because I just don't know what to write about. There is so much going on in Gracie's life. Sometimes I look up and she's doing or saying something new and I think to myself, "When did she learn that?" Sometimes I feel bad that I missed it and then I realize that I didn't, that I am in fact witnessing my little girl have an "aha!" moment.

She is so smart. I know all parents say that but I think they all should. I think that our children should experience our unwavering amazement at who they are on a daily basis. I think that there is a time and place for us to teach them about the real world and that it's not fair and that we occasionally fail and all that "weighty" stuff; but for right now Gracie will know that she is in fact created by God and is therefore created for good and in that way she is perfect. Don't get me wrong...she cries and whines and doesn't eat her vegetables, but she is still perfect in my eyes and in His eyes. We, who are saved by His grace, all are.

Gracie can moo, can you? She's in a book phase right now. She picks a book and brings it to me. Then she turns around and backs into my lap in order for story time to begin. Sometimes it only lasts for a few minutes but each time is so sweet. Her favorite book right now is Richard Scarry's the Animals of Farmer Jones. It goes through all of the animals on the farm and the noises that they make as they are ready for "supper time on the farm." Just yesterday on our way to a friends house I was asking Gracie what sounds the animals make. Until then the only one she would do was "wuff, wuff" for the dog (which is only right since we have a dog in the house). But yesterday she amazed me by actually answering when I asked about the cow. She doesn't actually say the "M". She puts her lips together and just lets a little "oooo" out but it is definitely a moo. And if I wasn't certain yesterday then today it was confirmed. The first time she brought the book to me today we started through the story and as soon as I got to the cow page I read, "The cow jangles her bell." and Gracie immediately mooed. Oh the joy that abounded in my heart. My little girl can moo!

I find great happiness in seeing my daughter learn, even the little things, and I hope that feeling does not go away. I hope that I am this proud when she makes an A on her spelling test, when she does great on a book report, when she tries so hard in algebra and when she decides what career path she will take. I pray that in whatever decisions she makes in life I will see how amazing she is and will not be afraid to tell her.

To my Gracie Girl:
You are truly amazing. Your little mind is constantly working and learning new things. You are so sweet and gentle and full of smiles. You bring me so much joy I can hardly stand it.