Four

It's official--the Ward family no longer has a three-year-old in the house! But we do have the cutest, sweetest, blond-haired, blue-eyed four year old in the world in our midst.  Four years ago today, our Midwife handed us our third little princess and I was honestly so overcome with gratitude that I cried and cried.   Yes, we were in a difficult season of life at that point with job concerns, etc.--even her labor and delivery had been complicated with two different hospitals and insurance fiascos.  It was all we could do to finalize a name for her!  But none of that seemed to matter when we met that lovely babe.  We knew she was special from the start.

This was a challenging but good year for our peach.  She started preschool, but honestly, it came hard to her at times.  She enjoyed helping in the Toddler class or playing at home with Delaney. She plays hard, that one.  Toy horses, stuffed animals, tricycle, puzzles, books, etc.--she really loves them all and it quite content to entertain herself.  She's also on to entertain the rest of us with her silliness and antics. But most weekend afternoons you can still find her curled up with her daddy at naptime--snoozing away, just the two of them.

One of my favorite things about our squeeze-muffin in her prayer-warrior quality.  Have you been having a tough time lately?  Sickness?  Job changes? Family stress?  Don't worry--Carrigan most likely has brought up your name at bedtime prayers even if the rest of us have let it slip our minds.  What a tenderheart at times.  She's brave too--the youngest member of the cast of the Wizard of Oz didn't let any shyness come across on that stage. We'll see what the next year's adventures will bring for her.

Carrigan Grace Ward, you have taught us so many things as you have broken the "Ward Girl" mold in your little individual way.   We love you so much little dinosaur--the next time I get back in from a run, I'm going to give you a big sweaty hug, just to hear your "Ew!" in your sweet voice again.  God has  richly blessed our family through you.