Dear Lydia,

Sometimes being a mom is hard. I want to do the very best things for you always and sometimes I can be intimidated at how many things I'm supposed to do (or not supposed to do) in order to have you turn out as a happy, contributing member of society. The internet is full of creative child-centered activities that focus on social, emotional, verbal, and gross/fine motor skills. Reading 1 million books to you by the time you are five. No TV, no princess toys, and certainly no high-fructose corn syrup. 

So much.

But darling, I am doing my very best. Your dad and I play with you every day. I tell you that I love you as often as I get the chance. I tell you that you are strong, talented, skilled, and lovely. I let you be adventurous but I stick close by to make sure you know I am there. I try to expose you to new things, even if they aren't the most creative or colorful or perfectly set up activities.

Then sometimes, just sometimes, I get a glimpse that maybe your dad and I are doing something right after all.

This week was one of those times. To that point, you'd really only said a couple words: Dad, and (sometimes) Mom. But one night as we were saying family prayers together - you said "Amen" with us. We both laughed and thought it was a fluke. We are trying to do a nightly routine of "Scripture, song, and prayer" with you - but you basically just walk around and play with your toys while your dad and I sit on the floor and talk to you. But somewhere in that little head, you've absorbed the importance of saying "amen" at the end of the prayer. You won't say it on command, but at the end of each prayer that we say - you join with us to say "amen". (You don't even repeat the word after we say it, you know when it's supposed to be said and you say it at the same time that we do - even if you are on the other side of the room.) My testimony has been strengthened that even if we don't think you are listening - you are. So even if you don't understand the scripture stories, or if you can't sit still during the prayer, now - at some point you will.

I hope and pray that when the time comes that you can understand, and you can sit through a prayer, that it will already be a habit in our little home and that you will already have experience with what the spirit feels like. I love you darling girl. I hope that I can be the kind of mom that you deserve. I hope that I can teach you to be strong, happy, and most of all - I hope I can teach you to know and love the Savior Jesus Christ. As I hear the little word "Aah-nnn" come from your mouth - I know that your dad and I are on the right track.

Your adoring Mom, Shantel