I’ve unintentionally neglected this space. Life has been so hectic lately and I just haven’t had a spare moment (or an ounce of spare brain space) to sit and type any words. BUT, I had to jump on here because today we celebrate our Charlotte-girl turning FOUR.
Four years old.
Time really does make me crazy sometimes, it feels like I’m currently just clinging on for the ride with days and months and years flying past at warp speed. I honestly cannot believe we have made four trips around the sun since that life-changing day when we welcomed our teeny little girl into the world.
I find myself wanting to bottle up these days right here, right now. I already know they are fleeting… I already know she will continue to grow and become even more independent and she will not always run into my arms at the end of the day and she will not always ask to snuggle when she is tired and she will not always come to my bed in the middle of the night after a bad dream and she won’t always think her daddy and I are her safest place from the world.
I know it’s inevitable. She will go out into the world and make her own way. That’s the privilege of motherhood, after all. I have the great responsibility of preparing her heart and mind for this great, big world. And, then, when these few, precious little years under my roof have passed, I get to let her go and find the path God has prepared just for her.
It sounds so simple and clear-cut.
Yet, gracious. Motherhood is hard and messy and beautiful and full and overwhelming and shaky and guilt-laden and made-up-as-I-go and full of pleading prayers and sleepless nights and nostalgia and tears and oh-so-much joy.
I can’t possibly think of a greater and more humbling calling on my life than to be a momma to my little loves. And, today, we celebrate my youngest love-bug all day long. She deserves extra donuts and a unicorn cake and presents and hugs and dance parties in the kitchen and “bacon” for dinner (her only request :)).
When I think of Charlotte, I think of sunshine and butterflies and the brightest spring flowers. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. She loves big and cares deeply for her people and her animals. She is one of the brightest lights God placed on this earth and I can scarcely believe He picked me to be her momma. What an absolute honor that is.
Happiest of birthdays, Char-baby. You are loved beyond measure! Today, we celebrate four whole years of JOY!!