Month of Thanksgiving: Day 4

Today I am thankful for my little ball of 3 year old energy and spunk ... Miss Kathryn Elena. She is such a Mama's girl. This little girl can get me to smile and laugh with the flash of her cute little face, but can get my blood boiling with her stubborn defiance. At the end of the day, she is a very smart, independent, three year old. Her personality shines so bright. I love how she looks up to her sister and wants to do everything she does; but in the same breath, she demonstrates just how different her desires and sense of style are from her sister's.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to raise sisters who are close in age. It is so fun to see each of them blossom as an individual. This journey is probably one of the most challenging ones I have ever encountered. I yearn to raise them to be daughters of Christ, who are able to make the right choices even when society is screaming for them to follow a different path. I have been blessed in more ways than I can count as I am traveling along this journey - even if I have many moments I want to scream (and in the heart of this 3rd year of Kathryn's life, she has made me want to scream more times than I am proud of).
But my heart is so full when she is overwhelmed with excitement or pride that her reaction is to squeeze my neck tight and kiss me. Her love language is, without a doubt, touch. She loves to cuddle with me, touch me, hug me, kiss me, run her fingers through my hair, or just sit close to me. Her go to phrase (mostly when she doesn't want to sleep in her own bed) is "I need you." As much as I want her to sleep in her own bed, I know that as a small three year old, that phrase is so true. She truly needs me. And as her mom, I am honored to satisfy her needs. To just hold her and love on her. To simply cherish these moments before I blink and find a young woman standing before me. I love this fiery little girl with all my heart.
When I was pregnant with her, it was hard to imagine loving another child as much as I loved Carissa. But now, I couldn't imagine life without her. I thank God for her and for what she adds to our family.
I love you, Kathryn!