Monday, July 28, 2008

Around These Parts, We're More Mature.

I took this three days ago, people. That means today she looks another 3 days past age 17. I mean, today is just a day at the end of July. Just a day that doesn't mean much, except today she seems older to me. Maybe all my hard work paid off, maybe it was all the healthy food I made her eat, maybe it was just the natural occurrence of things.

But the truth is, and must be, that it's not me that is responsible for this wonderful person she has become. It's all her. Inside the little bug of a baby she used to be, was this beautiful, leafy, bloomy thing just waiting to show me what it means to be the mother of a 5 year old. She had an extra red leather pouch full of pure GOODNESS inside her heart that I didn't know about. How could that be?

A few weeks of preschool has helped, and now she writes all the time, on everything, with every single pen. Did I mention she writes ALL THE TIME? Consequently, keeping to the theme of change, she changed Ruby back to no "E" on the end of her name and changed the spelling of her own name to "GRASE". Mmm Hm. She helps me with everything. Even when I don't want it (I don't usually). Her fits shortened a little each day, each week, until her emotions have became somewhat under control for the first time in her life. And it still surprises me every single time she says, "ok" instead of throwing me one.

She starts kindergarten in a few weeks. I have to say I am more prepared than I was back in May. It might be Lillie's arrival, maybe it's the fact that Ruby is acting completely insane, maybe it's because the universe shifted somehow and is whispering to me that it will be okay. But when she brought her little papers home each day from preschool, she would have a thousand index cards with words and pictures written on them. On at least half of them she wrote, "Momee" or "Dadee Smylie". It really is a small consolation, but if I worried that she didn't think about me while she was at school? She does.

12 comments:

Debbi said...

wow, she does look so mature and older in that picture! I remember when she was such a tiny girl! I hope school goes well

Anonymous said...

sarah! when did she go from our gracie girl to miss maturity? she really is sooo beautiful. give her a kiss for us all. we miss you guys!

LuCDay said...

Everyone keeps telling me that Kindergarten will make all the difference in Alex's maturity level and her ability to pay attention. I've seen it in her friends that started school last year and I am sooooo looking forward for school to start for this purpose only. Your blog gives me hope. Oh, and you are such a good writer, is that nature or nurture? "an extra red leather pouch full of pure GOODNESS inside her heart". Either way, love it!

Celeste said...

She looks so much like a little lady than just a kid! She is gorgeous. I know it still must be hard getting ready to send her to kindergarten... but how cute is she writing all the time. She'll probably grow up to be as great of a writer as her momee is.

Krista said...

you don't know me ... i stumbled upon your blog and i've loved reading. it's been wonderful. thank you for sharing the deliciousness of being a mother. keeps me holding out and even more looking forward. :)

Dena said...

Beautiful. She's just beautiful. Her lips, her eyes, her hair. She looks so much older than she did when I first met you...only a few months ago. She's so brilliant in how she spells things - Momee, Dadee, Grase. You've done an awesome job. You're the perfect mom that Jennifer Garner wishes she could be (or so I've read that she is). Such an inspiration. Really.

Jennifer said...

She looks SO grown up! I love that picture!

We'll both be in tears when school starts. Unfortunately, I go back a week earlier.

Caitlin Rose said...

Seriously Sarie. I remember going up to utah to visit you guys and Grace was born only a few days earlier! She is gorgeous. I miss you! and I am hopin I will find a boy too ;) Love you!

Jessiesmylieyahoo,com said...

hisarah

Missy said...

I loved reading the post above this right before this one.

She is gorgeous and while you might be feeling better about her going to kindergarten, will you still say that you're sometimes apprehensive about it all just for my sake? Obviously I'm not wanting my girl to go to school (and she still has another year).

Anonymous said...

i just read your next post - the one with the murder scene and all the cudding. it made me think how life goes full circle so very, very fast - from gracie girl to miss maturity and back to grasie girl...as quickly as you can say "snip"!!!

Rhiannon said...

I am always amazed at the many things Jersey picks up on. She starts school next week. I'm so nervous for the new experience but she has shown she can do it.