Dear Charlemaine,
At this very moment, 10:27pm on Monday, August 12, 2013, you are laying on the living room floor, banished from your room because (according to Jovee's tattle) you were "bothering her."
You are wiggling around trying to touch Tokyo, who is just out of reach and you're singing, "dow chicka chicka der der" and "Neow nee neow" which I think is a lead guitar solo. Right now I'm trying to be stern, but c'mon you're cracking me up! You're flailing around your little tan arms and legs, wearing nothing but your panties, since your recent refusal to wear pajamas.
You are at the end of being 4 years old. It has been a glorious journey so far.
Saturday, I cut your bangs. It was one of the worst decisions of my life. You have been wearing them long and parted in the middle and wanted them cut like "Aunty's." So I trimmed some side swept bangs just under your eyebrow... and you hate them. It has caused quite a few meltdowns since Saturday afternoon. I thought we weren't going to make it to church! Thankfully, I think you've forgotten about them now!
When you were a baby, my parenting role was to cater to your every need. If you cried, I needed to make it stop. If you were hungry, I better get you some food IMMEDIATELY! (Yes, you ate every 1 1/2 hours through out your entire first year of life.) I would cautiously guide you as you learned to walk. I would move everything out of your way and wouldn't let you out of my sight.
Now you are going to be FIVE in a few months! I can't believe it! My parenting has had to change from catering to all your needs to having to with-hold things from you. You want everything. You are currently obsessed with getting a new car. You see them in a magazine or on a commercial and you say, "That one mom!" The other day, as you were looking out the window, you said, "Mom, check out that all new Honda!" It was hilarious. You want shoes, and toys, and clothes, and candy, and soda, and to stay up late, and to not take a nap... But what kind of mom would I be if I let you have and do whatever you want?!
I hate saying no to you! I WANT to give you all those things because you are my precious princess baby girl. However, I want more than anything for you to grow up to be a successful human being who loves Jesus with all your heart and serves Him with all your strength.
This is my prayer for you, Charlemaine. I pray that You will continue to seek Jesus and cry out to Him, not only in times of need, but also in times of gratitude. I pray you will continue upon the humble, compassionate path that you are already following.
Love you,
Mommy
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| My Precious Babies! |
