Most of the time, once the holidays are over (please note, I don't use the term 'holidays' to avoid saying Christmas, I say holidays because I mean ALL of them~Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day)~anyway, usually, when the holidays are done, especially in that week between Christmas and the New Year, I tend to spend a lot of time reflecting on what has happened in the past year, and what we would like to accomplish, and what we hope for, in the coming year.
This year, that mood has struck me a bit early. I've been marvelling this morning at all the changes that have taken place in the last year. I'm happy to be able to say that most of the changes have been for the better. Some were immediately better. Others were hard at first, but have turned out for the better.
Some of the most striking changes I see are in my children. I know that all children change tremendously in a years time. I think the reason I am more 'struck' by the changes this year is because of the ages of my kids.
Rachel will be nine in just over a month. She has changed a lot physically, having grown several inches and thinned out quite a bit. She is also moving away from 'little girl' status into 'young lady' territory. Now, I know she's only 9, and I'm definitely NOT rushing her to grow up, but I can see changes in her personality. I see changes in the toys she wants to play with, the games she wants to play, and how she wants to spend her time. I see her taking on a bit more of a teaching or guiding role with her younger sister and brother. She always has been, and probably always will be, very much a 'Daddy's girl', but lately I can see her identifying more with me~asking me about some of my hobbies and interests, asking to help cook and clean, even watching crafting shows on HGTV with me! :) Oh, and yesterday, she did something that just tickled me! Rachel has been a proficient reader for a while now, but she doesn't read for pleasure. She reads when she wants to know about something, wants to know how to do something, or when she chooses to read to her brother and sister, and she reads the necessary things for school. But, yesterday, ALL on her own, she picked up a chapter book and began reading it, just for fun! ALL day long, in between school projects and playing with her sister and brother, she read her book. After she went to bed last night, I saw that she left it laying on the table in the living room, with her place marked in it. I have always hoped she would grow into a love of reading, and I hope that this is the beginning of that!
My 'middle' child, Alex, has also changed a lot. She has gotten quite a bit taller too, but the physical change in her is not as pronounced as it is in Rachel. Alex will turn 7 in March. She is passing INTO the stage that Rachel is outgrowing. I think the biggest change in Alex is that she has 'come out of her shell' a great deal. She is still somewhat shy, and I think she probably always will be shy to an extent, but she has become much more outgoing in the last year. She doesn't cling to me like she used too, and she REALLY enjoys participating in group activities now. Once she gets comfortable, she really dives right into things, so it's fun now to watch her as she participates with her sunday school class, her AWANA group, AHG, and the Christmas play at church. She really loves these things, and it blesses me to no end to see her having such a good time.
Noah is maturing too. He will turn 5 on Valentines Day. He's never been a shy child, at least not in the same way that Alex is shy. He's a busy, noisy, exuberant boy, but it takes him a while to warm up to people. In the last year, he seems to be getting to know people a little more quickly, and seems less fearful of meeting new folks. This past year, he experienced for the first time, going to Sunday School without either of his sisters in the same class. He also became an AWANA Cubbie, and discovered the church nursery! :)
At home, we have had to work with Noah on obeying us immediately, not being defiant, and keeping his temper in check~BUT, at church, the nursery workers, Sunday School teachers, and AWANA leaders ALL say that he behaves wonderfully, and that he does exactly as they ask him to do, and does not disturb the classes. I am blessed and thrilled to hear this!!!
I am so blessed to be given the gift of my children. Each one is a gift from God. Sometimes, I feel incapable of being the mother to them that need and deserve, but thank goodness, God does not call the equipped~He equips the called! For that, I am more grateful than I can express.
Blessings,
Mom23munchkins