a cherished evening.

tonight, Emma and I ran errands together.

Annabelle and Rosalie were tucked into bed,

but not Emma.

oh no, she got to come with me, even though it was bedtime.

she sat in the front seat of the van, by me (don't worry, our airbags automatically turn off)

and scrolled through the list of artists on my mp3 player since I told her she could pick the music.

"How about First Aid Kit? I think I'd enjoy listening to that."

so that's what we did.

she asked me about the words in the songs,

questions that showed me how her mind was thinking and working.

intelligent questions.

we conversed.

at the mall, we held hands as we wandered through forever 21, and we pointed out the things we thought were the cutest. I think we have smiliar tastes.

after that,

starbucks was a necessity for our evening. she picked hot chocolate, I picked an apple chai.

"I'm glad I have this hot chocolate, or I might be cold in the stores. It tastes really good, too!"

at wal-mart we found her brown corduroy flats, which thrilled her to no end.

"these will go with practically everything! and they're so cute!"

oh, my little practical one.

we stood in line for a long time together to pay for our things, but I didn't really mind.

the evening could have stretched on a little longer. I was glad of it.

glad for this time with my little girl.

who, as she sat there with starbucks in hand and her brilliant blue eyes,

with her quiet thoughts and mindful ways,

didn't seem like such a little girl.

how does this happen so quickly? my mother-heart wonders.

your baby becomes your companion,

and brings you a whole new kind of joy.

it's almost bewildering.

a tad bittersweet.

but mostly,

it's amazing, and wonderful, too.

Lord, thank you for my sweet Emma Joy. Help me to be the best mother I can to this wonder You put in my life.