It is hard to believe my "Little Mouse" is almost seven years old.  She was conceived in Germany while we were living on scholarship money.  "Maus" is a common term of endearment in German and she naturally became our "Maeuschen" which means "little mouse."  The nick name fit her well.  She was small and sweet and perfect...and she got so excited when she nursed that she squeaked.

She has always been the strong-willed, independent type.  I remember at about four months, she really wanted to learn to roll over.  She would push up on her stomach and rock herself back and forth, but could not quite make it over.  She would eventuallly get frustrated and begin to fuss.  If I helped her over, she would get really angry.  She wanted to do it on her own.  When she finally made it over, there was such triumph in those little eyes, and she immediately began working to get back on her stomach to do it again.  That determination continues with her today, and she has a strong drive to accomplish tasks on her own. 

She has always been a kicker.  While living in the student housing in Germany, we went down to the little community room to watch the world cup on television.  Every time my husband shouted, "Tor!" ("Goal!") she would erupt in a flurry of kicks and a somersault.  As a newborn, she kicked joyfully and it was impossible to keep blankets on her.  She would not bat at her toys--she kicked them.  Her favorite toy was a kick piano we would put at her feet and it made musical notes and animal noises as she joyously kicked her little legs.  I suppose it should be little wonder that she loves karate and her sensei frequently pulls her out to demonstrate snap kicks to the other students in the dojo.

She loves listening to music, especially Gerschwin.  When she was a baby and would get fussy, I noticed that everytime the music quited her, it happened to be Gerschwin.  Now she dances around the room as she listens to her CD, although I think Tschiakowsky is slowly winning out over her old favorite. 

Sometimes it can be a challenge trying to work with her strong personality rather than against it, but already I can see the Lord working in her.  Her name means "friend from above" and that describes her well.  While she is strong-willed and independent, she is very kind and loving, especially to younger children.  She has a strong compassion for those less fortunate.  She is also very loyal, and I cannot imagine her being swayed easily to do things she knows is wrong.