Ages and Stages

It always amazes me how I get so worried about different stages my kids go through, only to be reminded again that IT IS A STAGE. Ever since they were babies, I would worry that the current stage would last forever. I know this is not logical, but there is always this fear in me that they will not sleep through the night for years and years, or will be a picky eater for the rest of their lives, or will complain about doing their homework every day for 13 years. Then the stage passes and you wonder what you ever worried about. Of course, that stage is always replaced by a new stage. Some good, some bad, but kids (and most of us, really) are always changing. Derek is always reminding me that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint.

So, I thought it might be good to remind myself of some of the changes my girls have been going through lately. And maybe I will remember to read this post the next time I am worried that my child's entire future is in danger because of the latest stage:)

Symantha, age 8 1/2

• A few months ago, Symantha was driving me absolutely crazy. She seemed selfish, complaining, argumentative, lazy, loud and often obnoxious a majority of the time. I feel so bad even writing that, but it was the truth! We had many talks, bible studies, etc. with her but I didn't really feel like anything was working. I was very concerned, and felt like we were not getting through to her.
• Today, she is responsible, hard-working, helpful, and her favorite compliment is when we call her, "mature". She has stopped complaining at all about homework, and is doing so much better about getting her chores done without nagging. She asked tonight how else she could help me and went and cleaned Addison's room for me. She loves to read her Bible and is always wanting to share what she is reading. She still loves to cuddle, and loves playing with and helping Addison. You can just see her trying each day to do the right things, and although she isn't perfect, I just love her attitude. 

 Hailey, age 6

• This look pretty much sums it up (although this picture has a hint of a smile on her face because she wasn't REALLY rolling her eyes at me). After Hailey left her horrendous baby stage, she became our easiest and sweetest girl. We couldn't get enough of her. Up until a few months ago, she was sweet, eager to please, hardly ever got in trouble, etc. 
• Lately, Hailey has been antagonizing her big and little sister to no end. She gets totally crazy, and one of the most common phrases heard out of the girls' rooms is, "Stop, Hailey!!" She has also picked up a lovely little whine and bad attitude about everything from the clothes she has to wear to the food she has to eat to the general unfairness of life. It is exhausting sometimes. Plus, she talks ALL THE TIME. So many words each day, I just can't believe all that goes through her mind that she needs to talk about. All of our girls are talkers, so not sure if that one is a stage:) But Hailey is still super responsible, funny and often sweet, so let's leave her with a little nicer picture.
  

Last by not least, there is this little goofball. She couldn't even put her wand down to give me this nice face.

 Addison, age 3

• Addison probably changes the most due to her age. She is different every week! A couple of months ago she wouldn't even consistently sleep through the night, and was always getting us up at 6am. None of our kids did this, and I was not happy about it. But she is sleeping much better now and we usually all get up around 7. 
• Addison has always had her sisters to play with and take care of her, so she has never been good playing by herself. That has been hard this year, with her sisters at school, because she just follows me around and wants to watch me do whatever I am doing, instead of going and playing. This problem was really bad a while ago, and I was trying all sorts of activities to get her interested in playing. She would just sit on the floor and cry if I didn't spend the whole time with her.
• Now, Addison is really into playing babies and playing outside (despite the awful weather - she just bundles up and would prefer to be out there, no matter how cold or wet). She is getting much more imaginative and playing dress-up and pretend. Thank the Lord, I can get a few things done in the morning! She is still so sweet, and Derek and I have realized that with all the girls, age 3-4 has been our favorite. All ages have their benefits, but we love the funny things Addi is always saying and doing right now. I am her favorite person in the world, and that isn't such a bad thing:)

And I love those dimples she has had ever since she was a baby. 

I wish they didn't all grow up so fast, but thankful that there are stages that come and go.