We started the new year in Utah, getting Marianne and Aaron settled at BYU. We tried to prepare Lavender with lots of discussions, but once we went home without them, she was still growling at the loss of two of her favorite people. Of course, Evan is back in class too and Lavender often asks, "Where is everyone?!"
This did bring about one exciting change though. After nearly 3 years of sleeping in our closet, Lavender finally has a bedroom! She alternates between calling it "sissy's room" and "my room." Either way she loves it and decided to really shake things up by refusing to sleep in her "tent-bed" (crib) and insisting she needs a bed. She is now the proud owner of a "girl-size" toddler bed.
Unfortunately, she is not sleeping like a cat! She usually does great at night, but she is struggling with naps. And she is roaring and growling when she doesn't get one.
She has also been fiercely independent. She has insisted on dressing herself and potty training. Both are still a work in progress with Mom trying to soothe the savage beast that shows up when she gets frustrated.
She was also determined not to ride in her "too tight" car seat any longer. While she is still within the weight limits, she found it too confining. We have remedied the situation with a boatload of cash (have you priced car seats lately?) and two purple car seats--one in Mom's car and one in Dad's.
Finally, she is taking after Daniel in the lion's den with her prayers. She loves to pray and does so even when it is not her turn. She is no longer content to repeat our words. She takes off on her own with long lists of things she is grateful for and people to bless. She tries to remember everyone in our large, extended family, often stopping for clarification, "What is that other big boy's name?" Like a lioness, she is quick to remember the animals in her pride. She always blesses her nieces' dog Teddy and "Grandpa and Oma's big dog Max and little dog Missy."
Although she's been showing her fangs and claws lately, she still gives the sweetest hugs and kisses. She devours books, puzzles and applesauce pouches. She loves to be a "good helper" and is quick to say "thank you." She notices and appreciates the beauty in flowers, blue skies and rainbows.
We enjoy every minute with our little lion and savor those hours when she's curled up asleep and purring like a kitten!
