Birth Day
One year
Two Years
Three Years
Four Years
My little firstborn, my Avery-girl turned 4 years old today. She was so excited about being bigger, it was hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm. For about a week she's been quizzing me about how big she will be when she turns 4 and what will happen. She just knows its older, and older is better....to her. Obviously her daddy and I have different feeling on the matter.
However, I read a great blog post a couple months ago that has been going through my head as I've been dealing with her birthday. You can read the entire thing here, but this is the part that I recalled as Avery's birthday approached:
I like watching you grow up into what God wants you to be. So often, parents want their kids to stay young. Don't grow up! You're my little princess! Oh, my sweet baby! Recognizing that God has a plan for our children (and realizing they need to learn to do stuff on their own) is essential to loving our children. Children need to be excited about growing up and finding God's way for their lives.
She really is becoming a beautiful young lady and I want to be excited with her about all the things she is learning and the ways she is competently independent. Its HARD watching my kids grow so fast but I know they really belong to God anyway.
Today, I am so thankful for the gift she is to our family. It is a cliche, but she really did fill a hole in my heart that I didn't even know existed. Before she was born, I was fairly certain life was just about perfect without children. The moment I first held her in my arms, I knew how wrong I had been.
Happy birthday, Sweet Girl. I'm so, so grateful that I get to be your momma and that I have a front row seat to watching you grow into the woman God created you to be. For now, let's just take it one year at a time...that's all my heart can take. Four is good.
However, I read a great blog post a couple months ago that has been going through my head as I've been dealing with her birthday. You can read the entire thing here, but this is the part that I recalled as Avery's birthday approached:
I like watching you grow up into what God wants you to be. So often, parents want their kids to stay young. Don't grow up! You're my little princess! Oh, my sweet baby! Recognizing that God has a plan for our children (and realizing they need to learn to do stuff on their own) is essential to loving our children. Children need to be excited about growing up and finding God's way for their lives.
She really is becoming a beautiful young lady and I want to be excited with her about all the things she is learning and the ways she is competently independent. Its HARD watching my kids grow so fast but I know they really belong to God anyway.
Today, I am so thankful for the gift she is to our family. It is a cliche, but she really did fill a hole in my heart that I didn't even know existed. Before she was born, I was fairly certain life was just about perfect without children. The moment I first held her in my arms, I knew how wrong I had been.
Happy birthday, Sweet Girl. I'm so, so grateful that I get to be your momma and that I have a front row seat to watching you grow into the woman God created you to be. For now, let's just take it one year at a time...that's all my heart can take. Four is good.
Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!! God has special plans for Avery!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Avery!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Avery! Such a sweet post that you brought tears to my eyes when I read it last night.
ReplyDeleteThat point about watching our children grow up into what God wants them to be was my favorite, too! Thanks for the reminder that I do have an audience of more than one as well!
Your sweet girl and my sweet boy are only four days apart (she's the older woman). It sure flies, doesn't it? But I too am looking forward to seeing all the great things Miles will be as he grows!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Avery!!! (late)
I loved this post, for so many reasons. Your words are so accurate and eloquent. You describe that push and pull so well...excitedly anticipating their development and yet, wanting them to stay little! I never understood why birthdays were emotional for Moms- TOTALLY get it now! :) My favorite part: "Before she was born, I was fairly certain life was just about perfect without children. The moment I first held her in my arms, I knew how wrong I had been."
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) birthday, darling girl. She is so lovely, Lisa, and it is clear that you are doing such a wonderful job raising her.
ReplyDelete