Monday, December 21, 2009

Emma at Two


Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."
Psalm 119:73

To be exact, this is Emma at two years and 7 weeks. I almost got her pictures taken earlier - twice - but had to cancel both times because Emma seems to think she can do anything the older kids can do. She can.... but she usually has some mark to prove it when she's finished.

The little rhyme goes, 'Sugar and Spice and everything nice - that's what little girls are made of'. I would say, Emma has a very healthy dose of 'spice'. Life has never been, and will never be boring with her around. She's a born leader - she'll make sure things happen the way she thinks they should. Usually, she'll manage to make everyone else think it was their idea to start with too.

Emma is very independent - she can do it herself, she does not want to need help and if she does need help, asking for it is one of the last things that crosses her mind. Unlike her sister, Emma is not a people pleaser. She doesn't care if you don't like it. She does - the end. She has very strong opinions, and does not change her mind easily. This does not mean she does not change her mind, just that she won't change her mind until she's fully considered all the options, pros and cons, and has found the solution most favorable to herself.

Re-reading all of the above makes Emma look willful and manipulative - and she is, but she's also very charming, mischievous, and lovable. Her laugh is bubbly and contagious, her sense of humour is priceless, she has an expression for every thought that enters her head, she's smart as a whip and very protective of her own.

It has been quite the adventure watching this little girl grow for the past two years. She's definitely the exception to the rule when it comes to raising kids. I guess, the best way to stay on your toes is to be thrown a curve ball once in a while and I think Emma is ours. But you know, the harder it is to do something, the prouder you are of it. Some of the things we've learned with Emma have been the hardest lessons to master, but they're so worth the end result!

5 comments:

  1. Actually I can totally connect with most of the first several paragraphs, personally. She sounds like a very fun little person to be honest and you are doing a great job to be so understanding of her personality. We missed seeing you guys when we were up this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adorable photos ioi! The bottom one really does capture her well, they each show a different part of her. I love trying to "win" her over and once I do, I can hardly get rid of her. She is so much fun and always puts a smile on my face.

    I can't believe she isn't wearing a band-aid or needing any strategically placed clothing or hats in this photo lol. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awww, what sweet photos and what a precious little girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the pictures of Emma! I think your comments about the lessons you've learned with Emma sums up parenting. It is the most wonderful experience, yet the most challenging as well. And the difficult children...well, they make us humble, don't they? Make us realize how much we need the Lord in the day to day challenges. Dependent. Yes, that's the word.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I well remember Emma at Travel Town after LA conference last year. She was bound and determined to figure out and mount those spindly ladders into the train engines! She's a go-getter!

    ReplyDelete