A Good Day

I had a really (mostly) pleasant day with my little girl today. It was such a sweet blessing and a great encouragement. She's quite an emotional creature (can't imagine where she gets it from . . .errrr . . .like mother like daughter? ahem. yes. probably), but today she had some real 'wins'. She showed some excellent self control over her emotions (I was so shocked I was left almost speechless), she responded well to correction, mostly played well with William and at one point she even reminded me of the gospel at a point when I truly needed it. Now she didn't do all these things consistently all day, but nonetheless, it was a joyful day for me to witness the Lord's faithfulness and kindness to our family and to my daughter.

I do want to share her reminding me of the gospel.

At one point I was helping her and she was taking FOR-E-VER (she's a 3 year old girl . . .I shouldn't expect any more!), she obviously could see my impatient face and asked "Are you being kind?" to which I replied, "No, actually I'm being impatient. It's not good." She immediately responded with

"It is good. Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sin and God loves you. And God loves Emma and God loves William."

It was the most precious quote from her mouth in the three years of her life so far. I was super encouraged in that moment, firstly, I was encouraged to be reminded that my sin is forgiven in Christ, secondly that we actually have been teaching her truth (it's so easy to know your inadequacy in raising your children!), and thirdly that she is learning and understanding it in context!

I think I subliminally have high hopes for tomorrow, but if it all goes haywire and we end up a screaming tantrum over apple juice, I can at least remember today . . .and thank God that He is faithful and true. Despite my circumstances!

this photo was taken by the lovely Sarah of Ampersand photography in D.C. - http://ampersandphoto.com/

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma Grace!

Sunday was Emma's 3rd birthday. Undoubtedly the most traumatic so far . . .she was excited to go into Granny's Sunday School class (my mum teaches the 3/4 year olds) and poor Emma was so overwhelmed. I stayed for a while at her request then snuck out, only to be called back again shortly afterwards by one of the other teachers. I was glad to have the privilege of watching her in her first SS class.

She was practically skipping (not that she can actually skip yet, she does more of a  dainty horse-trot) along with Lyle to the car afterwards telling him about Zacchaeus being up the tree. I think she called him the 'little man' which is fair enough, I had to google how to spell him.

My parents very kindly purchased a bike for our princess (and we bought the helmet, ha!)

We celebrated with Emma's cousins at my parents house (we were thankful for the pool on a hideously hot day). I made some cupcakes and a round cake and turned them into the Hungry Little Caterpillar.

Afterwards we had a swim and in the end we had a very tired, and very happy 3 year old girl.