Already Three!

It just seems impossible that another year has already passed and we have celebrated another birthday with Samara. Without a doubt, she is three. She has grown from that adorable and goofy toddler into an increasingly graceful and beautiful, (but still goofy) girl. She continues to bring so much joy into our house and brightens all of our days. As my brother John pointed out about starting a "second" family at this age, "it keeps you young, Laurie." And that it does. (Though I do have to say I have had to stop picking Mara up and carrying her around so much because of screaming body parts.)

Mara has changed in so many ways over the last year. She talks nonstop with an incredible vocabulary and grasp of the English language, including idiom, sarcasm and wit. She is at all costs a "big girl." A year ago that phrase meant nothing to her, now it guides her actions. As in "big girls do this, big girls don't do that." Sometimes she wants to be a "big girl" and fails, but most of the time she is quite successful. She is potty trained, sleeps in a big girl bed, picks out her own clothes and dresses herself, brushes her own teeth, sings the alphabet song perfectly (along with several show tunes,) counts to 10, says her own prayers, (sincere if succinct,) and entertains the family endlessly.

One thing that hasn't changed about Mara is her extreme stubborness. She is indeed a strong-willed child. And as soon as we learn how to properly channel that personality trait, it will be a positive thing in her life. Right now, it challenges our patience as well as our ability to discipline creatively and effectively. Many days I feel like she is winning, but other days I realize how far she has come since we brought her home.

One of our favorite things about Mara is her absolute love of music and all it's related facets. She dearly loves to listen to music and absorbs it quickly, soon singing along with a new CD, in perfect pitch, I might add. Nikki loves to sing a note and have Mara match her. This makes both of them laugh in delight. She can't watch a Disney movie without begging someone to dance with her through the musical numbers and asks when she can take "ballerina" lessons. She has also decided she wants to play the violin "like Bobby." This is fine with us and we are in search of a good teacher who takes children this young. Bobby's wonderful teacher is just a bit too far away in Longmont to make it practical or I'd be signed up already.

Mara has joined the millions of girls worldwide enamored of all things princess. She would live in a pink castle wearing nothing but pink dresses if someone would let her. I've never had quite such a girlie girl before. It is delightful but strange to my sensibilities. She wears her two sundresses first thing when laundry is done and always wants to wear her one nightgown because it is like a dress. Katelynn told me to buy more dresses this summer.

Once again I wept for her birthparents this week and prayed for God's comfort to be upon them. And once again I thanked God for his goodness to Jeff and I in allowing us to raise this wonderful little girl. Mara has so often heard me say that I am blessed to be her mother that she now takes my face in her hands and with a big grin loudly says, "you a blessed mama!" Yes I am!!!