Appreciative

One of the things I love the most about Lilly - and she gets it from her daddy, not from me - is her total passion for the unexpected. She is willing to do anything, no fear, total enjoyment, with a complete appreciation for life.

Two nights ago, I put her to bed at 7, as her normal routine now that she doesn't nap. (She sleeps until 7 am usually, thank goodness!)

At 10 pm, Lilly came sleepily walking out of her room. She could have been ready to go back to sleep - I'm not sure what made her wake up - but Jon and I had just turned on the Dancing with the Stars finale on Tivo. So, we invited her to sit down with us.

I've never seen anyone so appreciative of such an event (besides Lilly watching last season's finale with Jennifer Grey, who Lilly adores!). She was captivated, clapping for each dancer, picking who she thought would win, being the best tv companion I've ever had. (Proof? Jon fell asleep halfway through.)

An hour later, we put her to sleep after she "woohoo"ed herself to exhaustion; after she danced along with the "Stars"; after she told us she loved us in a way that showed me - who cares about that hour of sleep she missed, we had the time of our lives.

This is why I love my girl so much. Whether it's staying up late for a show, or appreciating a parade at Disney World, or going for a horse and carriage ride in Central Park, she doesn't take it for granted. She knows life's moments are so precious. And she makes me so proud to be her mom.

--- And speaking of Lilly and bedtime - that same night when I put her to sleep at 7, she said her nighttime prayers. And I talked to her a little bit more about God, and how much He loves us, and how we should be so thankful to Him. And I said to Lilly, "Do you know where God is? He is in the sky, always watching over us." And my clever daughter said: "Like Mary Poppins?" Such a cutie. Then, last night, when we were saying our prayers again, I asked Lilly: "Do you remember where God is?" And Miss Lulu said: "He's in the sky. Like airplanes and Mary Poppins." :)