Bella (age 5)"... and dear Jesus, please have Arielle get married and have kids and live in the blue house by mine and dear Jesus, Amen."
This seems to be B.'s big focus these days - getting married and having kids. She's following in my footsteps. I wanted to be married at 18 and have all my kids by the time I was 24. Yup. Big dreams. ;) I am SO glad that God didn't give me what I (thought I) wanted at the time. He had me wait until I was wanting His best for me. Along the way I got my Social Work diploma; my B.A. and my After Education Degree. I didn't just sit and wait, my life carried on. I met my husband when I was just 28; got engaged 7 months later; married a year after that at 29; had my first child, C., at 30. I think, as an older mother, that I can appreciate my kids a little more - stay in the present a little more - than I would have in my early 20's. I know how fleeting time is. Even now, it's hard to accept that my oldest is 9.5 yrs. Half-way to leaving the nest. (!) The time has gone by so fast.
So, my little girl wants to grow up and get married ("to my Prince") and have kids. She was all worried and practically in tears because she didn't know how to cook anything. I told her not to worry, that I would teach her how to cook. The other day we made cinnamon buns and she said, "Oh good! Now I know how to make 2 things - cereal and cinnamon buns - for my kids to eat!!"
After she said that prayer tonight at supper, I asked her if she wanted Arielle to live next door to her. "NO! I want to Arielle to live in a red house over on this side and I'll live in a blue house over here." (said with her arms stretched as far apart as possible - denoting the great distance between their two houses)
She is so helpful and funny. :) My little girl who wants to be a woman too soon. I just had some words from 'My funny valentine' pop into my head, 'Stay little Valentine, Stay!' I'll have to sing to her tomorrow.
And teach her how to make a casserole.
