Some Stuff From This Year Part V - Michaela Edition
Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 10:57PM Michaela. She is my steady girl. She is emotional, but not like her siblings. She is along for the ride, but loves to make the plans. She loves to read, be outside, and do artsy things. She has spent a lot of time painting the last couple of years. Most of the time she makes up pictures on paper, a scene or an image that she loves. Recently, though, Mike bought her this heart for her to paint and put on her door. Hopefully little things like that will help her feel more like this is home. She took great care to create a color that would match the quilt I am making her (Yes, I am making it! Don't doubt it! She'll have it before she's married, for sure.)
Mike also painted her room white (it was baby blue) and we added some pretty daisies around the top of the wall. I did my best to paint a sort of vine in between the daisies, but after a few (I really should have stopped at zero) it was clear that free-handing vines across a wall is much harder than on a sheet of paper (that I'm really good at). (I'm hoping Mike doesn't have to paint the wall again.) Michaela had fun helping put the daisies on. And she was very sweet and told me my vines were great. I don't know if I should be concerned because she doesn't tell the truth, or be grateful for her eyes that can see beauty even in ugly things. (insert a big smile here...I think she is precious)
Michaela is my quiet sidekick. She's almost always with me, whether I'm running to the store, going to pick up the other kids from school, or getting dinner ready.
She spends a lot of time shadowing Eliana, or entertaining her. She is an amazing big sister, so patient and sweet (most of the time...we all have our moments, no?). When we went to the fire station she helped Eliana, who was very hesitant, through the fire engine. She cheerfully encouraged her to climb the steps and check out the midsection of the engine.
Eliana demands (and gets) a lot of attention around here, so I am glad for the opportunities that come along for Michaela to take center stage. Or stage right.
She and Christian were in a musical through the childrens' choirs at our church, and she played an angel (she is the closest angel in the picture) in a play about Jonah. She had many lines, and it was really fun to see her in a role, rather than just a background singer. She did a great job! We were very proud of her.
Soccer season also started for our sweet girl. She has come a long way from the very timid player she was almost four years ago. In this first game (they didn't even have a practice beforehand, and the team is made up of girls from at least three schools, and she doesn't know anyone) she tried to score a goal! It was also freezing (in the 40s) (so, technically not freezing, but dang, it was cold!) and she and the other girls were all running around trying to play like they were supposed to, but you could tell they were so cold.
She is such a unique person. Sometimes I make a comment about what she has on, some crazy combination of clothes she has put on, or clothes and shoes...she'll say,"I'm me, and I wear what I like!"
Like, a leotard with a tutu, and some blue jeans.
And if that isn't the perfect outfit for climbing trees,
then I don't know what is.
What I know is that this girl is a wonder to me. She brings joy wherever she goes, she delights me (you can be sure she exasperates, too) and makes me so proud. I feel like I'm just waiting and watching to see what amazing thing(s) she is going to do or be a part of. The truth is, though, that she has been watching me. She has seen me at my worst in the last couple of years, and do you know what? At the end of every day she would hug me tightly and say,"I love you." I, as her parent, am supposed to be teaching her so much, but she is the one who is teaching me, and has been for ten years. The lesson? Unconditional love.
Reader Comments (5)
I love how you love your kids.
I stopped by earlier today but didn't have the time to give this post the attention it deserves. I'm glad I waited so I could give it a thorough read. Don't despair about the vines Christina because you are a gifted writer. And we ALL make mistakes parenting, but your love for your kids is what shines through and I am positive that they feel that and that's what makes them the happy, confident, loving people that they are.
What a neat little girl she is. She has a wonderful heart. And it's okay that she's seen you in whatever state--goodness knows my kids have seen the worst of me more often than I care to admit--because she has learned that moms are real people too, that forgiveness and love flow freely in a family.
I really like this post and the glimpse into your beautiful Michaela.
Well...you brought me to tears on this one! This is exaclty how I felt about Lauren (and still do...even though she's 22). It was almost as if I were reading my owns words. She was stuck to me like glue & I was actually worried she would never be independent...WOW, was I wrong, but in a good way. Michaela has something that people might be searching for their whole lives...a heart that fill of love to give!
Do me a favor...give her a hug from Aunt Lisa... :)
this totally made me cry...
what a beautiful girl and wonderful post!