Ava: Mama, can I have more chores?
Me: Like what Ava?
Ava: Feeding Kinsley? Helping with dishes? Can I vacuum?
Me: I think the chores that you have now are plenty. You are already helping the family out so much.
Ava: But, Mama, I really want more chores?
Me: Ava, why do you want more chores?
Ava: Because I want to be like you. I want to be a Mama.
Me: *heart explodes!*
I make a lot of mistakes in life but I must of done something right with that girl. She understands at such a young age how incredibly blessed we are as a family. She doesn't look at children as inconveniences as so many people do. She looks at them at the total blessing that they are. And when asked what she wants to be when she grows up? She responds... A Mama. And there you have it. She sees the daily work(the good, the bad and the ugly!), the outpouring of love between a husband and wife. The love they have for their children. And the love she has for her siblings. She sees that this is what its all about. And shes happy.
Right before we bring a new baby home, Rick and I always wonder how Ava will react. She has become a big sister 3 times now, in a very short span of time. So when we ask ourselves, "will this be the breaking point for her", it would be understandable if it was. But, she hasn't had that breaking point yet, and I'm not sure that she has one. Ava lives her days to help me and to be the best big sister to all three of the little ones running around here. There is no doubt in my mind, that God gave me Ava first for a reason. Without her being the biggest sister, our house would not run smoothly. She has such an old soul for such a little girl. She is respectful, sensitive, responsible, caring, thoughtful, and can always be counted on to make sure everyone is making the best decision and no one is being naughty (although, that trait, can becoming quite annoying but I'm thankful she's on top of it all, when I sometimes cant be).
After having a baby, in the past, Rick has brought the kids up to the hospital. They say hi, meet their sister, and he takes them home shortly after. Unfortunately, those visits never end well. He ends up having to leave the hospital with them kicking and screaming for Mama. Talk about breaking my heart! Rick had a different thought this time, which turned out wonderfully! Rick brought the girls to the hospital, to meet their sister and for us all to leave together, as a family of 6. It was perfect. Sure, it was a little hectic, as it was at Lainey's naptime. But, it really was the perfect way for them to have the fun hospital experience minus the separation issues at the end. On the car ride home from the hospital with Kinsley, Ava talked our ears off. It was by far on the Top 5 Best Conversations with that girl. She asked us, "Mama, has God given us another baby in your belly yet?". Rick and I both giggled but tried to remain serious. I assured her that their definitely not a baby in my belly yet. She then proceeded to ask if God was going to give us another baby one day. We stressed on the fact that God will give us another baby if/when its meant to be. We were so shocked that she was up for another so soon, and there she went again, proving to have not hit what we call the breaking point. She made sure that we were all aware that when I do have a baby in my belly again she was going to be so happy. As she says, "I love my sisters. I love babies. And we always have room for one more".
She hasn't let us down.. she's patient, understanding and flexible. She knows having a baby in the house changes a lot but at the end of the day, its such an incredible blessing. Ava has also requested that she be called "Little Mama". She is pretty serious about it, too. I heard her instructing the little ones to call her that, and if they called her "Ava" she wasn't going to answer them. Luckily, the girls caught on very quickly and are fulfilling Ava's wishes.
She's going to be one amazing Mama one day. And I sure am proud to be hers!
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