Chatting with Children

My sweet little 8 year old up and started folding clothes for me--not once, but twice this week, without even being asked. And she did a super amazing job, so neat and crisp. I'm still working on the 5 year old--of course, I think back to when Amaleah was 5, and she was definitely just learning the ropes, so all is well.

But in the meantime, we were chatting, and she said,

"Here Mommy, you fold Daddy's undies, I don't want to do that..." (with a little grimace).

To which I replied, "Well, someday you might have to fold your husband's undies, you know."

And she said, "Well Mommy, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!"

8 Years and 1 month

Her birthday may have been one month ago, but it's still on my mind--I'm so baffled that I actually have an 8 year old! And not just any 8 year old, an Amaleah.

Amaleah~industrious, hard working, likes to work with her hands--that's what her name means, and I'm pretty sure we hit the nail on the head when we named this little worker bee.

Some observations I've made about this little 8 year old girl:
~pretend play is all but gone (with a few lapses into the past when begged by her younger sister)
~her perky little ears can hear everything...
~often she'd rather be in with the adults than playing with the little ones; she enjoys listening to our conversations (and piping in every now and then too)
~she wants to be an integral part of the kitchen...and is demanding more and more adult responsibility, like chopping and dicing and stirring really hot things (I'm starting to realize that a tiny little cut here, or a small burn there, with supervision, are part of life lessons, and I can't protect her from dangers forever)
~enjoying more alone time, but appreciates special time with mom (or grammas)
~steps up to the plate when asked to "be in charge," and quite likes it (much the the chagrin of the younger sister)
~loves to read...would read all day if I let her
~no interest in cartoons at all...there's always something better to do
~loves to play the piano
~always has something on her mind she wants to talk about...often it's something creative and inventive
~has a sense of humor and can usually take a joke, and dish it out as well!

not too old for Easter eggs, even if she did have to wait
5 minutes for the younger ones to go first.

I'm so thankful for my little Amaleah. My prayer for Amaleah is that her natural gifts and desires to be industrious and productive would be used to bless and minister to others. I pray that her love for the Lord Jesus would become more and more real, and that she would listen to His Spirit as He ministers to her heart. I pray that she would desire to read her Bible more and more, and that she would understand what she reads.

Choices We Make

Last week at my ladies Bible study group, I asked for prayer that I would be more faithful in choosing to have one on one time with my children. And since then, I have found that idea to be more and more on my mind (could it be that someone out there is praying for me?).  I've been pondering how to do this and when, especially in light of the fact that I savor moments of quiet and rest, where my children are playing happily (sometimes) in their room and I am sipping coffee, blogging (smile).

Yesterday, after a morning with the church, I was ready for an afternoon of rest.  The weather was springy and breezy, we had the windows open, and it just seemed perfect for a nap.  But then I was faced with a choice...

"Mommy, can I have some time with you this afternoon during rest time.  I really have to finish this project and I need your help. It must be done soon, because Julia's birthday is on Thursday."

Deep breath...Of course, yes.  Let's do it.  So, Amaleah brought her sewing basket and materials down to my bedroom, we pulled out the baskets of trim, and we began to work, first sprawled out on my comfy bed, but then transferring to the sewing machine.  And it was sweet--oh so sweet.  And so restful!  Seriously, I felt restful through the whole thing, and I wasn't anxious to be done and get out of there.



And along with the project, our hearts were bonded in a new way.  My little daughter is growing up, and some of our conversation was just that, grown up.  And I am thankful I had been preparing my heart and my mind for it, because sometimes you just can't plan for these times, they just happen.

And when our project was finished, we reluctantly went on our way to the next thing, having had such a nice time with each other.