Celebrating Elora

Our little girl is 5 now! How crazy is that?? Wow. Five years ago we were just adjusting to life as new parents... I remember thinking I wouldn't survive her fifth birthday due to lack of sleep:o)... well, now here we are - I made it!

Elie is sensitive, graceful, sweet natured and ready to be everyone's friend! She is constantly exploring her surroundings with questions and creative explanations, (she taught us how to "make Fudge" the other night... a bit like how you get the cheese into a cheese-it cracker:o).

She is developing a real sense of responsibility too, and it's been fun to watch her take things on without prompting from her parents. Brushing the dog is her newest chore... among keeping her brother in line, like a true big sister:o). She can't wait to be a mommy and teach her babies all the things she knows. And right now her favorite babies are animals.

At times it feels like we have a 15-year-old in the family... and we are all learning how to deal with the things that come out of such a little and "innocent" mouth.

The other day, as Elie was throwing a fit I was gently reminding her to make better choices and that the power of choice is hers. She looked straight into my eyes and said, "oh shut up!"

I was floored. I didn't have any response to that. Never had I seen or heard such open defiance and disrespect from my tiny girl. Bryce jumped in right away with soap for her tongue. I asked her if what she'd said was worth the consequence. "yep," was her sassy reply.

All I could do was stare at her. Then I sadly told her that my feelings were hurt and I was very disappointed in her choices. I asked my question again, just to make sure she understood what it was I was saying.

"Telling mommy to shut up is worth getting soap in your mouth?"

"Yes, it is," came her haughty reply.

I sank onto our bed and just watched in disbelief as Jadon and Elie continued getting ready for bed. I couldn't believe my little girl's behavior, and I could tell Bryce was just as disturbed, but also had no idea how to proceed.

As I was anguishing over the scene that had just played out I caught Elie watching me from the sink as she washed her hands. Her eyes were full of sadness and uncertainty. She quickly looked back at the sink when she saw me looking at her, but tried to sneak peaks again.

"Elie, " I asked, "what are you feeling, honey?"

She was quiet a moment before she said, "I'm sad because you hurt my feelings and so I hurt your feelings."

My heart just melted, and I saw Bryce choke up. Elie walked over to me tentatively, her hands covered in soap suds.

"Elie, I'm so sorry for hurting your feelings, will you please forgive me," I asked her.

Immediately her countenance brightened. "Of course, Mom!" She stayed beside me, quietly looking at me.

"What is it?"

"Well, I'm just wondering how to give you a hug with soapy hands."

Bryce jumped in again, "El, go rinse your hands honey."

"Oh, huh, yeah," she said, and started toward the sink. She paused half way there. "Mom, I'm sorry too. Will you forgive me?"

I couldn't help it, I was so proud of her, I just beamed. "Yes, I totally forgive you."

She came back to me, "Mom, do you think I could just give you a soapy hand hug? Please?"

I got a soapy hand hug, and it was the sweetest one yet.

As we look ahead into Elie's 5th year of life with us, we are so thankful that she came into our lives. We are astounded at how she is developing on so many intricate levels, awed at how perfectly God takes over where we fall short in our parenting, and so humbled to have this privilege of walking with this tiny little life through all her ups, downs, triumphs, defeats and growing pains.

Happy Birthday to the Sweetest Girl Alive!!!