"I've got an angel, she doesn't wear any wings. She wears a heart that can melt my own, she wears a smile that can make you want to sing. She gives me presents, with her presence alone. She gives me everything I can wish for, she gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home....you're so busy changing the world, just one smile and you can change all of mine. We share the same soul..." (Jack Johnson).
Meet my three angels. Anna, Gracie, and Emmalynn. At first I considered not using this image as I wouldn't consider it my best work. But, the fact of the matter is, all three of my beautiful girls are all in one picture together and they are all happy. It is a rare occasion and it seemed an appropriate time to introduce them since this is the beginning of my "Reflections" blog.
As with most children we have nicknames for our girls. Anna has always been my little Annabelle, so everyone went with it. Gracie is Gracie Lu-Lu, nicknamed by my mom. I have no idea how she came up with it but it stuck...and I love it. Emmalynn has appropriately been named Emmabear. She came up with this herself one day while we were pretending to growl like a bear.
In essence their nicknames reflect their personalities. Annabelle is my little princess who is the epitome of the quote "Sugar and spice and everything nice. That's what little girls are made of." She loves to wear dresses, and jewelry, hates the bad guys in her Disney movies and is completely in love with glitter and sparkles. She is also my timid and shy one who is a bit slow to warm up to new people and situations. What I love about Anna is her compassion for others and her eye for creativity. Outside of her five-year-old moments she has a tenderness about her that transpires. What I find interesting is her ability in artistic activities at such a young age. She not only enjoys it, she has quite the talent.
Gracie is my little spitfire. But what I absolutely love about my Lu-Lu girl is her infectious giggle, vibrant, positive, and silly personality. Gracie has an imagination like I have never seen in a child before (and I've worked with a lot of little ones in my teaching years). Lately I've been telling people she is going to write novels because her stories are so creative, descriptive, and full of contemplation. Gracie, too, is a very compassionate person. When she likes something she dives in head first. If she doesn't like it, well, good luck. She can bring any toy to life, especially her Bitty Babies, princess statues, and Fisher Price doll house set. I wish I could share all her crazy stories!
Emmabear is currently in her terrible two's. " Grumpy as a bear" can fit her quite well if she sees something she wants and can't have it. Forget about anything if she is tired. Despite this trying stage of development she also possesses that fun loving, energetic excitement of a two year old experiencing the world for the first time. She helps me remember to let go of the small stuff and cherish the little things. Emma is beginning to show signs of Anna's love for art. She is far exceeding her developmental level in writing, drawing, coloring, and painting. She is also a complete mommy's girl.
These three children have not only changed my view of the world and the way I regard human beings, they have opened me up. They have somehow made me a better person. Growing up I was an incredibly shy person, all the way through college. Since the birth of my daughters I have recognized a strength and fire I had in me all along. They have brought this out. They have shown me what it means to have a soul and how deep a person can truly love. They have shown me what a miracle is. They have shown me what an angel is. It is them.