thing 2

This little post is devoted especially to my sweet girl and a couple of photos that, to me, capture who she is. Let me preface all further commentary by saying that we love this kid like crazy. And she drives me crazy many days. She is very spirited, and there is no gray area with her. It's either black or white, right or so, so wrong, pink or not-pink. You are either her BFF or her arch-enemy. If you cross her, I've got two words for ya - look out. Her stink-eye alone is enough to send you to the corner, cryin' for yo mama. There simply is no middle ground with her. She is incredibly sensitive and wears her heart on her sleeve. She is a gem.

Every day, this child brings a smile to my face. Last week as I was making her most often requested lunch (PB & J sandwich, yogurt and "cold water with two ice cubes"), she makes her way over to where I'm standing and says, "Table for one, please." She was totally serious. I started to laugh, she gave me her famous stink-eye, I stopped laughing and fell into my role as waitress at Cafe Isabel. She loves my British accent.

Her other favorite phrases right now all include the words "responsible" and "respect". As we arm-wrestled over who was going to brush her teeth she said "I am the responsible boss of my own teeth. You are not respecting me, Mommy." (Insert famous stink-eye again.) This little lady is going to give us a run for our money.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about our girl, though, is her sensitivity and her love for her brother and sister.

Isabel will be 4 in April. She has truly been a gift to us. More and more, I realize, she is teaching me lessons that I still need in my own life. All kidding aside, I believe she has been given to me as a life-long lesson in patience and endurance. Honestly. That this lesson is given to me daily in such a wild and funny and beautiful package is His way of sugar coating the hard work that must come from me.

And now, if you'll excuse me, Lady Isabel is waiting...I have dragons to slay and a princess to rescue from the tower. Why do I always have to be Prince Charming? ;)