I cannot put into words how grateful I am that Penny entered our lives when she did. She has been a little ray of sunshine and I am constantly grateful for her happy demeanor and her sassy attitude. She regularly requests to be called "Princess" and has strong opinions on what she wears, especially jewelry and shoes.
Jane and Penny continue to be best friends. I didn't know I could feel so much joy from a relationship I'm not involved in. The two girls are inseparable. I wanted to write down a few examples from this last week before I forget:
--Today Jane's friend from school drew her a picture of her family. In the picture there was a mommy, daddy, and a little girl (jane). Jane was very upset when she received the picture and immediately said, "But where's Penny? Where's my sister?"
--Jane is very protective of Penny. At the playground the other day I overheard her talking to another little girl. She said, "This is my little sister, Penny. We have to be very careful around her, because she's my very best friend."
--At the splash pad a bird flew up and took Penny's snack right out of her hands. About 10 seconds later from across the park Jane came running over waving her arms and yelling at the birds for picking on Penny. Even from across the playground Jane was watching out for her baby sister.
--Jane refers to Penny as "Sweetie Pie" and their favorite game is "Baby Zebra" where Penny pretends to be a baby zebra and follows Jane around.
--Scott and I often find ourselves not doing anything after the girls go to bed except listening to them talk and giggle (which goes on for a while, it's darling).
--Nothing makes Jane more angry than someone offending Penny. If Penny is wronged, Jane will remember for a very long time. She has been protective like this since Penny was born.
--Penny ADORES Jane. The only fights they really have are when Penny wants to snuggle and Jane wants to sit on her own.
--I dropped the girls off at a babysitter's and Jane told me that she was going to help Penny while I was gone. She told me that if Penny was sad she would make sure she was okay and sing her "EIEIO-- because I know that's her favorite song". It is.
--Penny adores the pig Jane gave her for Christmas. I'm pretty sure for no reason other than Jane gave it to her.
--The girls insist on matching. I had to buy them new leggings because they weren't coordinated and Jane wasn't okay with that.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant with Penny I was really scared. Jane was barely a year old and she had stopped sleeping entirely. Then Penny had her complications during the pregnancy and I spent hours crying to the Lord to help me understand why we needed to have another child already. Scott and I both knew when we found out we were pregnant that Penny needed to come when she did, but I prayed over and over for an answer as to why. Finally the Lord replied, "Why do you keep thinking this baby is for you? This baby isn't for you. This baby is for Jane."
I immediately tried to stop being so selfish and I realized I really was thinking only about how hard this timing was for me. But now I understand. This last year has been an incredible testament to the Lord's plan being greater than my own. Jane needed Penny and Penny needed Jane. I am so grateful we trusted in the Lord and had them when we did.
Now... Photographic evidence, because these pictures make my heart melt.
