Izzy's birthday is coming up soon. I can't believe the time that has gone by. It's just a few years, but it feels like a decade!
This age is SO.MUCH.FUN! I can't get enough of it! This summer a shift took place and suddenly Izzy was telling me about things that had happened during the day. Previously she mentioned wants (cracker, mom! milkie!), hurts (got a boo-boo!), or greetings (hi dad, bye gramma). Then one night as we snuggled in her bed to read (snuggling is new too) she told me, "Allie the cat, hurt hand. Hit hair." She described a minor assault by my mom's cat the week earlier after Izzy lovingly cornered Allie to give her some quite undesired attention. Allie bit her hand gently and swatted her in the head with her claw-free paw. All week long I heard about the crime committed by "Allie the cat". Izzy spoke of it more as a triumph than an insult. She thought it was cool and loved retelling the story to me. So began our conversations about events of the day.
Izzy contributes such joy and wonder to my days. Her imagination has bloomed this year. She lives to be dressed up. Whether it's her purple boots that transform her into an "Adel" when she puts them on her hands and crawls around bellowing like an elephant, or simply putting on her beloved lion costume she affectionately calls "tiger". She has spent literally almost every day for two months wearing that costume for part or all of the day! The latest development is Dr. Izzy. She has assembled a doctor's bag (a lunch cooler) of various doctor implements (measuring cups and spoons, turkey baster, etc) that are used to take my temperature or administer shots to which I am requested to respond with an "Ow".
She has grown into a loving sister. One of my joys of life is seeing she and Addie sit across the dinner table and laugh together, usually at something Izzy is doing (pretending to sneeze is a favorite of Addie's). It's true hilarity. When Addie cries, Izzy has learned that she can sometimes be distracted by a toy or a book, and she knows and seeks out Addie's favorites. This touches my heart. I prayed for sisterly affection, and I really feel that the prayer was answered. Of course, there are still bumps in that road, but for the most part, she's a keeper of her sister and I'm sure will become a protector as well.
I could go on. I don't have the time or energy (unfortunately) to detail the daily wonders that come from watching this sweet little girl. I adore her and am so very thankful to God for putting her in our family. Thankful that He is entrusting me with the incredible responsibility of taking care of her and guiding her as she blooms into the wonderful flower He has designed her to become. I pray I can do the watering and provide the fertile soil for growth. I pray that I can then stand back and let her grow on her own. I thank Him that each year I see more of that flower unfold, showing her beautiful colors, shining in the sun and brightening the world around her. Let your light shine, Izzy. Happy Birthday, sweetie.
