Olive Oil

What a hard day for Mommy! My mind was in overdrive thinking and rethinking about you today. We prepared for the twelfth day of school today with a heavy heart------at least mine! Your tears continued to flow and I silently pondered how to achieve success today with you. I pleaded with you to try to have a great day at school----to enjoy your classmates, your day for show and tell (You selected your horn to show your classmates & teachers.), etc. I wanted your day to be successful more than anything! I prayed as I pulled out of the driveway. I prayed as my feet hit the pavement for my three mile walk this morning. I didn't let the enemy in when my feeble mind questioned how I could count this day or these events as JOY! I prayed for you and I watched the clock. At 2:15 p.m. I was turning right onto your preschool's street, holding my breath............you turned right into the hallway and ran to greet Mommy! A little too fast.......no running in the halls and procedures of sitting down until you are checked out by Mommy are to be followed! Oh! Those silly old school rules! I've already warned Daddy about the day you find out that there's something called Homeschooling! Tears welled in your eyes and that bottom lip quivered but it was but mere seconds that Mommy had you scooped up in a hug------you did it! You made it through the day with a clean vrakaki and praise from your teacher. Accidents are not in your normal routine at home-----and I couldn't believe that we were even dealing with this issue at preschool but you, strongwilled daughter of mine wanted to show who was in charge. You're learning quickly that Mommy's rules still apply while you are at school too and that shortchanging yourself doesn't get your way. At home after school, the two of us discussed school expectations and Mommy expectations........you promised! And then you consumed a late lunch...two bowls of cereal, a cup of milk, strawberries.........and the rest of the afternoon was filled with questions and talking....you mentioned going to Shiloh's birthday party, talking to Major's mom, something about a baby brother, you forgot your maraca that you wanted to show Mrs. Katie, sorry Mommy that I forgot the carrots for the donkey.......Mommy, I put on your eyeshadow, your mascara but I got it all over my face Mommy...I put on make up to look so pretty! And the conversation streaming of words, sentences, half thoughts, questions and more continued as I soaked cotton balls in olive oil to remove Mommy's waterproof mascara from your face. As we filed out the door for voice lessons, the talking continued...why? can you turn up my songs Mommy? Those songs are my old songs? Can we listen to my new songs? why did you use olive oil Mommy? How can my face soak up the olive oil? I need some water to wash the olive oil off? why Mommy?..............I just soaked your words up! I listened. I answered you when I could. I told you many times that I didn't know why------and sometimes Mommy, just doesn't know the answers. I didn't know how to count these trials at school with you as joy until the rest of the evening with you played out. You enjoyed every minute of voice lessons as you sang, played the quarter beat game......We came home to homemade soup that Mommy had prepared yesterday and you talked throughout the evening as Mommy made cornbread and welcomed Daddy home........and somehow through your talking we managed to bless our food and eat our dinner as a family------only your bowl of soup remained untouched until you consumed it after a sprint to the park and back.........and through it all you never stopped talking! You were happy, happy----------eager to share about your day and ask and talk to Mommy & Daddy about everything. Bath time, bedtime prayers.........an answered prayer for Mommy......a moment that defined that I could count this moment in our lives as JOY.....you told Daddy that you wanted to say a new prayer tonight and this is how it streamed out of you, little chatterbox (That's what Daddy called you tonight!):

"A quarter note gets four beats! A half note gets two! How many do you? Bless Sophia. Bless Mommy. Bless Daddy. And help Sophia have a clean "vrakaki" at school tomorrow! Amen!"

Just like the olive oil soaked up Mommy's waterproof mascara from those soft and tender baby cheeks, I soaked up every word of your prayer-----each beat resonating JOY in my heart! I love you too baby girl!

Another favorite moment today:

Sophia: Mommy, I love you!

Mommy: I love you too, baby!

Sophia: Mommy, why do you say I love you too, baby when I say, Mommy, I love you?

Mommy: Because, I do! I love you! (Leaning in to get that big, big unconditional love hug from you!)