7

Dempsey Snow.

She's such a joy in our world.  
I cannot believe it was 7 years ago that she entered this world!  

A few things I'd love to highlight from this year about Dempsey.

Her emotional intelligence continues to shine through.  She is definitely sensitive to my moods and notices and asks when she sees changes in me.  Some examples:

•  I was tubing in the water with the kids for going on an hour plus, and I was super exhausted.  My arms were tired, but I was determined to hold on because the water was a bit chilly.  Dempsey looked over, while tubing, she said, "Mom are you ok?  Are you having fun?  You aren't saying anything."  I had to assure her that I was still having fun, even though I was quiet.
• Yesterday the kids were fighting every hour on the hour, and I was over it.  Dempsey held my hand and said, "Mom you been stressed today.  Are you stressed out?"  I said, "I do feel stressed out when you kids fight."  She said, "Me too, I'm going to take some deep breaths."  I told her that was an awesome reminder for me too.
  

It's so sweet, and yet I also find myself wanting to make sure that she nurtures this AND that she doesn't feel like she has to constantly fix things.  I think that is part of my story and I don't want her to feel like it needs to be her story too.

Another thing that has been apparent is Dempsey's love for all things animal related.  She loves, loves, loves her stuffies.  It continues to drive Russell nuts that she buys so many stuffies with her own money, and I WAS that child.  Stuffies for days!  She just loves them.  We got her a basket for her bike and she has been able to take her small stuffies on rides and that has made her day.  She also enjoys watching any video that includes animals.  We currently are watching a zoo documentary while I work out downstairs.  Today she said that it was one of her favorite times during the day.  (SWEET GIRL).  She loves Kevin and Sammy, and continues to be Kevin's second master.  Just today we were at a nature area and Dempsey and her friend Ella took off down the path.  Kevin looked up and saw the girls and immediately charged forward to be with them.

Dempsey is a brave girl that likes to do challenges even though she might not want to ever admit it.  She will fall down and say I can do this, get back up and DO IT!  On a normal day she tells me, "I love you Mommy," at the most random times.  It usually is when we are doing something fun, or we are walking/riding somewhere together, or when she just got into bed to cuddle.  Speaking of cuddling....she has really enjoyed me getting up later this past week.  The other day she told me, "Mom, I love when you put your arm around me.  It makes me feel safe."  Melt my heart.  

I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks, as we all are home together working and schooling.  I can't wait to hear her little voice on her webexs and see the work she does in school.  This girl is such a gift for me, and constantly makes me want to be a better mom.

LOVE You Snow.

Mom