three

My baby girl turned three today so I suppose I can't really call her my baby any more. I actually just got her down to bed. She is usually like clockwork when it comes to bed time so it was unusual for her to be yelling from her crib. When I asked her what she needed she stuttered around for an answer and finally said, "Um, I just luf you and I wan you." Still in a little disbelief that my baby is now three, it was actually a welcome time to hold her a little. With Josh gone for the night it was just me and my girl. I sat near the fire and held her in her blanket. I sang songs I've always sung to her but now she sings back and hums with her cheek against mine like a little out of tune song bird. I thought about the day I had her, first seeing her with that head full of velvety black hair. I thought about all the love and joy she brings to our family. I thought about how we named her and laughed a little. Naya is an Indian name that means gentleness, so we named her Naya Faith as a reminder of these fruits of the Spirit. Gentle is not exactly the first thing that comes to mind if you know Naya. You know that quote,
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich?
I'm thinking Naya might be a history maker. It always amazes me how quickly you start seeing these strong qualities taking shape in your children. Naya is bold and strong-willed and she just has a little fire in her. As I think about her name though, I can't help but think that it fits her perfectly. Sometimes when you think of gentle, you think of some fragile, quiet, soft, delicate thing with a sugary-sweet voice and tilted head. The fruit of the spirit that I see in the Bible looks more like a strong and peace-loving wisdom. And that is what I desire for Naya. That in his grace we would know how to train and shape her to be a bold and fearless and gentle woman of God.
Even in her fitfulness and craziness she is so tender and so full of love. Not a day goes by that she doesn't tell each one of us that she loves us. Not a day goes by without her making us laugh. I am so thankful for the precious gift she is.

Today was a freezing cold day but daddy had off so we went out to lunch and to the toy shop. We ran around the park till we froze, but you didn't seem to mind. You need no encouragement with the girly stuff so you were delighted with your new tutu from Mimi and some new pink shoes. You love dancing and really want to do ballet with Ella and Dove.

We love you and can't wait to see what this year will hold.
Happy Birthday baby girl.