Thursday, July 22, 2010

Isabella Rose

How did this little girl.....grow up so fast??

Isabella~4 & Jack~2

Back then....they would love to get our shoes and clomp around in them. Now Isabella's shoes are 1 size away from mine. Jack's right behind, growing out of his shoes every season. And they both are at the same exact weight. No wonder I go through so much food around here!



She turns 10 tomorrow. She is pretty excited to be turning double digits. She will be starting 5th grade this school year. Isabella has 2 friends from school overnight tonight, and I have been in awe ever since they've arrived. Talking their "big" girl talk. Entertaining themselves, giggling, and secrets. At this age the girls can pretty much be on their own....and I'm enjoying just observing. Getting flashbacks of this age, of myself with my friends. Waiting all day for a sleepover. Popcorn & movies, cake & ice cream, smores by the fire later. Also wondering what would embarrass her (can I sing in the car with the radio~or will they giggle and think-that lady needs to turn the radio up so I can't hear her.) I AM LOVING THIS STAGE of mama-hood.

It's not all blue skies and balloons~My biggest challenge is trying to remember I can't use the same consequences, punishments, & discipline on 10 year old that I'm still using on the boys and the 4 year old. It's so hard to switch gears and work at getting to this little heart of hers. Like most pre-teens she has this thing called attitude. Which is the hardest to know how, when, and where to work on that. How~how to get her to see how she sounds when she's talking to her siblings. When~to step in and work on some things & when to let brother/sisters do what they do. Where~to pull her aside and show her the areas she HAS to work on. I've got a lot to learn myself.

The best part of her little 10 year old self...is her gentleness
towards her sister. And sometimes even her brothers. LOVED taking her to get school supplies on Monday in Mishawaka. Her helping me get the things off the lists for her, William, & Jack. At this age, she's very helpful & efficient. Picking out an outfit for the first day. Loved looking through Barnes & Noble with her. Another favorite thing about her? She loves Carrabba's as much as I do! We ordered a meal and shared it. Sat at the pizza bar and got free samples of entrees and free ice cream with chocolate sauce!!! Yummo! What a treat to be with just her.

One thing that I've tried to implement since Donovan had surgery in May was showing my kids how to work. They've had chores and jobs...but since I'm doing all the yard work and my work inside~I've needed help in the house too. So I've been working with Isabella to take over some of my chores. I have to say there was a little bit of an adjustment/attitude phase...but now, I'm livin' the dream...baby. She's folding laundry, hanging up the shirts, and putting the clothes away. She also is cleaning up the dishes after meals when I ask her to. Hand washing the dishes that can't go in the dishwasher, and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher that go in there. Cleaning up the sink & working with her on to hang that wet rag up. :)

Today while I was hanging up laundry that sweet almost 10 year old came out to ask me if she can put the ice cream scoop in the dishwasher, or should she hand wash it? Melting moment for me. Her attitude was good, and I think...she was feeling pretty important and useful.

So many things I could say about her....where do I stop? I love her. I just adore this little lady she has become.

15 comments:

The Blissfully Happy Housewife said...

Love this Heather...loooove it. I also struggle with when to step in and discipline and when to let it go. I know it's important to "pick your battles" but how do you know the correct ones to pick. How do you know which ones will make the most impact on their little hearts?

Your words ring so true my friend...

Jamie

sherri said...

I remember all those ages of Isabella and your previous house brings back so many great memories. :)

What a sweet and beautiful girl she is becoming...inside and out. I loved reading about the progress she made this summer with her heart of helping.

Happy 10th Isabella!

My Life said...

Oh Heather!!! I have to tell you when I read your blog, I smiled because I just started writing mine yesterday and was writing the very same thing about My Hannah, the words you used were so similar to mine and how you feel. Oh it is so hard to know how to deal with that little sad spot we get as mothers when we see that we are needed less and less isn't it? I can also totally relate to the teenager thing...with three step-children all teenagers and mixing that with my five year old an almost three year old feels like an impossible formula of success. Being a mom is always a battle with our own inner self checking how we are raising them compared to how we were raised, wondering if they will think about thier childhood with happiness and wishing they could jump back here somday. I feel the same things girl...you are not alone, we all have each other and thank goodness as we get older and our kids get older we have each other to lean on and help and inspire. Thanks so much for posting your blogs....this one was so ironic...get out of my head girl!!! :)))

My Life said...

Oh Heather!!! I have to tell you when I read your blog, I smiled because I just started writing mine yesterday and was writing the very same thing about My Hannah, the words you used were so similar to mine and how you feel. Oh it is so hard to know how to deal with that little sad spot we get as mothers when we see that we are needed less and less isn't it? I can also totally relate to the teenager thing...with three step-children all teenagers and mixing that with my five year old an almost three year old feels like an impossible formula of success. Being a mom is always a battle with our own inner self checking how we are raising them compared to how we were raised, wondering if they will think about thier childhood with happiness and wishing they could jump back here somday. I feel the same things girl...you are not alone, we all have each other and thank goodness as we get older and our kids get older we have each other to lean on and help and inspire. Thanks so much for posting your blogs....this one was so ironic...get out of my head girl!!! :)))

Jen Bontrager said...

You are livin' the dream, my friend. Happy birthday, Isabella. You are beautiful.

Erin said...

Heather,

This is just a lovely post about your daughter...it was so nice!!! I love the pictures of her when she was little and now. What a great young lady she is turning into.

Erin

Jewel said...

What a great post to your sweet daughter! Happy Birthday, Isabella!

Mrs. Wink said...

I just love your blog Heather! Brought a tear to my eye today :)

Beth said...

I can sooo relate. Katelyn wants so badly to grown up then within a couple of hours she is acting like a child. Parenting pre-teen and teens is extremely difficult. I have found that when talking to her I have to talk to the person that she is growing to become, explaining how we feel when the "attitude" roars up, and she feels that everyone is against her. I pray daily that the Lord will guide me, because without Him I would be screaming my head off at her!! LOL!

Cottonista said...

What a great girl! Happy Birthday, Isabella!

I hope our kids learn to be as helpful. ( :

Cottonista said...

What a great girl! Happy Birthday, Isabella!

I hope our kids learn to be as helpful. ( :

Cindy said...

I don't think I ever wished Isabella "Happy Birthday" when you were here! How terrible of me! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA! What a sweet girl you have .. and the boys are pretty cool too!

Grandma Ruby said...

Heather, You're very wise to be teaching the kiddoes how to help you. It makes your load lighter and helps them feel useful to the family. Belated happy birthday wishes to Isabella! What a dear and special girl she is. Love from Aunt Ruby.

Mary said...

Wonderful post Heather. She really is a beautiful girl. I love the picture of her and her sister...just precious.

Stacey said...

Love this post! You are such a great mama Heather with beautiful children. Truly blessed.

Hugs!!!

Stacey