Eden Isimbi is SIX years old

today is the six year anniversary of the day i became a mother.  it was a sunday, just like today, and i was ushered into this entire new world that i had been longing for and anticipating much of my life.  i am always uniquely emotional about eden's birthdays because they are the anniversary of a birth of my own. i always knew that motherhood was a part of my soul.  it has been the most incredible journey over the last six years.

if i had tried to put together a picture in my mind and heart of my hope for a child, i would never have been able to conjure up eden, even in my best attempts.  she is literally all i could hope for.  she is spunky and bright and kind and thoughtful and sensitive.  her energy is inexhaustible. in her best moments i am overwhelmed by her maturity and her capacity to interact with people of all ages with comfort and ease.  she is by no means perfect, and we are working every day to exercise patience and self control and gentleness.  im under no illusions that eden is faultless.  but she is literally exactly what i wanted, and needed.  

tomorrow she will begin first grade.  and speaking of school, i am so thankful to be on this home education journey with her.  she loves to learn and has blossomed so beautifully as she has been exposed to beautiful poetry, literature, and had ample time to observe nature.  she adores birds and never ceases to be amazed at any one that comes close enough for her to observe.  

she also loves being a big sister.  she and etta mae do struggle with petty arguments and stubbornness, but overall she really fills the role beautifully.  she takes excellent care of baby ivy and i frequently leave the three of them in their bedroom to play while i work making dinner or tidying up.  she is more than capable of looking after her littles and when she is in a good groove, she does it gently and with sweetness.  i get glimpses into what she will be like as a teenager and, while im sure there will be drama coming out of her eyeballs, i am actually really excited about the prospect of eventually transitioning into being her friend as she becomes an adult.  

she has not lost any teeth yet, which just aggravates her to no end.  all the other friends have lost teeth.  shes in such a hurry to grow up, as i imagine i was, and all children are.  im in such a hurry for her to stay little, or at least slow down.

she has a real sense of her state before the Lord, she shows what i perceive to be true repentance.  she takes communion with me at church. she talks about God with a tone of familiarity and affection.  she is quick to apologize and wrestles against her own sin.  i see great evidence of God's faithfulness in her life.  

she loves harry potter and asks me to read to hear many times a day.  i find her alone sometimes and she tells me she is just imagining she is at hogwarts.  

she really thinks she might be magic.  

i am certain that she is.