Celebration of a daughter

Ekaterina turned 9 today. Really, where did the time go? Nine years is a long time and yet, I like to think of her as a kid and not someone on her way to becoming a young lady.

When I was pregnant with Ekaterina, I wanted a daughter more than words can describe. Every ultrasound, I hoped we'd get a peek at the gender of the baby I was carrying, but no, the baby was always a stubborn being and never gave in.

Ekaterina is still stubborn. ;) When the doctor declared, "It's a girl", my eyes welled up and I don't know that I knew such joy was possible. Ekaterina was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen and I wasn't sure how I had been blessed with the privilege of raising such a treasure.

I find that now, I expect more from her than I ought. She's a good helper and I depend a lot on her. She's taken an interest in going to the store with me when it's just she and I and I have to say, life really changed when Octavian came around. What she'd grown used to, became completely different. Now, when she asks, if it's possible, I let her come. I enjoy those mommy daughter moments. Just she and I. The girls. I hope that she doesn't grow tired of time with me as she matures and continues to grow into the person she is.

She loves to nurture other little kids around her. She loves to bake with me. She enjoys making lists and using her creativity. She has come out of the reserved shell that she used to have and is definitely more socially adventurous than she used to be.

Still, the one thing I want most for her, the desire I have above all else for her life, is that as she grows, she wants to grow more in her faith. Cultivate that relationship that she chose, without us pressuring or making her. I want the Holy Spirit to be a voice that she recognizes and is sensitive to on her own.