My Sweet Emma

As my mom was leaving on Sunday she told the kids to take good care of me since dad wasn't here. Emma took that job very seriously. She has been like a second mom these past few days, doing everything I have asked without hesitation (even with excitement), coloring with Josh and playing games with him, etc. Before my mom left, Emma and my niece Jayden drew pictures for me to help me feel better, then they secretly taped them all over my room to surprise me. It was amazing to see young children being so thoughtful. Last night I had a big talk with Ben and asked him to help a little more and to have a happier attitude about it (he's having a hard time with dad being gone and the kids' exciting lives of going to McDonald's twice a day with Grandma has stopped). Emma overheard our talk and I think that reinforced her willingness to help. I told all the kids that after FHE we were going to get all the garbage and put the can out on the curb and then put new bags in the baskets. While I was helping Ben with his homework, Emma went on her own and got all the garbage out of all the baskets and put the bags in the kitchen. She helped me bring them all out to our can in the garage. This morning she fed Truman without being asked, and then let him out to go to the bathroom. When she told me she had done it, she was grinning from ear-to-ear and then told me "And mom, you didn't tell me to do it, I just did it." She gave me a cute picture (below) that she says is me inside a rainbow of rocks, feeling better. Very sweet. Then before preschool today she asked how many minutes she had until Selena would pick her up. I told her she had about 20 minutes and then she said "20 minutes is a long time. I have a long time to help you with whatever you want. What do you want me to do, mom?" I could have cried, I was so proud of her. My sweet little 4 year old was trying to take care of me. I told her I was planning on doing some laundry and she of course wanted to help. She pulled all the pillowcases off the pillows and helped take the sheets off the bed. When everything was off I said, "Look at the great job you did! It's all done." Then she said "Mom, the bed is FREAKIN' naked!" I've never heard her say anything like that before and I busted up laughing. She can be so silly. Then she left for preschool. I feel so lucky to have such a sweetheart in our family. She definitely has her moments and can be quite feisty, but she is also very tender-hearted. Our family is lucky to have her. We love you, Emma.