Today is Naomi Joy's 3rd birthday. And what a day it has been for her. She started off the day with a trip to the "doughnut store" with her good buddies Roger and Rhonda, and got a doughnut with a side of cookie (Oscar the Grouch). Then she had a great time playing with her church friends at Luker and Matthew's house. And this evening, Oma, Opa & uncle Marc came over to have the final of the 2010 birthday celebrations. The menu of choice - macaroni & cheese and cake. (I may have added a few other items to the menu...) And now at last, she is sound asleep and happy as a clam after her wonderful day.
I continue to be amazed how I fall in love with my little girl, day after day. And I continue to be more amazed at how quickly she is growing up. She certainly has her moments and is quick to remind us she is 3. But as we ate supper, she was telling Peter how "you made some delicious hamburgers, daddy." If I'm looking for a compliment, I'm going to find Naomi. At 3, it's so easy to find joy in the smallest of things - which seem sometimes hard to recognize at 30.
I so enjoy the moments where Naomi goes about her business and just sings to herself, clearly absorbed in her own little happy world. I pray that she is forever able to take on the world with such ease and grace.
I love to see the way that she is helping to teach and shape her little brother (most days it's positive...). Levi clearly admires his sister like no one else, and in most cases (depending on the day of course!!) she returns the favor. This morning, I heard them fighting in Naomi's room only to walk into the hallway to see them walking together and holding hands. Levi is all about "daddy's lawnmower" but thanks to Naomi, he can squeeze and rock his baby with the best of them.
Naomi asked me as I getting ready to put her to bed when she was going to be 4. I said, "When do you think you'll be 4?" And she said, "In a couple days?" While I was amused, I had to think that it seems like time is flying by just that quickly! It's crazy! So, that simply means I have to hug, kiss and snuggle my baby girl as much as I possibly can. That is a task I am up for!!
I love you, Naomi Joy.