I have been hearing for awhile about the stage where kids begin talking nonstop.  We are there with Vivi.  It's kind of unbelievable, really.  I love to hear all the things she has to say, to see her excitement and wonderment for the world around her, and to help answer some of the questions in her ever inquisitive mind.

However, it can be exhausting.  Between that and my little Brigette, it seems there is hardly a quiet moment in the day.  Vivi has also all but dropped her afternoon nap, so I no longer have my peace in the afternoon.  She has quiet time in her room, and some days are more successful than others, but on the whole it is an incredible challenge to have a thought to myself.  Yesterday was kind of a disappointing day for me.  It wasn't terrible, just enough to make me feel a bit sad and left me with some thoughts that needed to be sorted through.  But that is difficult to do with the never-ending questions, requests, and stories (although precious!).  And then Chip comes home, and she understandably wants to tell him all about her day.  I joked with a girlfriend last week that we feel like we turn into three year olds at the dinner table, competing for our husband's attention - truly, sometimes I can't get a word in edgewise!

Then, this morning, as we were driving in the car, listening to "princess music", I began to sing along (the songs are always in my head!).  Vivi said, "Mama, sometimes with you sing, it hears like Ariel or Rapunzel.  And you look like a princess today."  (I absolutely do not have some kind of hidden singing talent!)  And I kind of melted all over.  It doesn't feel good to be rejected, turned down, or disappointed.  It's tough to take no matter how old you are.  It is wonderful to know, though, that this little person living in my house always finds my presence to be her favorite, my stories to be the best, and my just out of bed self to be beautiful.  My cup runneth over, and I am so grateful.  It's always good to get perspective, and to be reminded that I don't need to be seeking for approval or validation in some of the places that I do.  She has no clue what the rest of the world thinks about me, and she doesn't care; she just knows I'm her mama, and that is important enough.

"Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."  -Charles Spurgeon