Hearts Feeling Full

As Gary mentioned in Eliza's 27 month update, we've been praying with Eliza each night before bed and encouraging her to repeat after us.  We've been specifically using "God made the moon, God made me.  God bless the moon, God bless me" as a simple prayer for her to pick up on.  At first she dutifully repeated after us in her sweet sweet voice.  Then, she started ad libbing a little bit, saying "God made 'wiza!" (her name for herself)  Then she started adding "God made Mommy, God made Daddy," and any other family members.  Memorably, last week she gave blessings to Uncle Adam, his friend Bridget, and all 4 grandparents.  And she started doing this without any prompting!

However, tonight takes the cake.  The three of us went into her room following the bedtime routine.  I asked Eliza if she wanted to pray or wanted Mommy to.  She said "I pray!"  After prompting her just a little, Eliza looked up to the sky and prayed:  "Goooooood maaaaade the moooon.   Goooood maaaaaade meeeee.  Goooood maaaaade Moooooommmy.  Goooood maaaaade Daaaaddyyyyy.  God made YOU! [looking at me] And YOU, Daddy [pointing at Gary]!"  Oh my goodness.  She sounded like she'd been listening to monks intone their prayers!  Gary and I were trying so hard not to laugh that I had tears coming out!  And then that last part.  We lost it!

It gets better.  We asked her what came next.  And she said, again, looking up to the sky and in her monk-voice (I'll spare you the drawn out spelling!), "Dear God.  Thank you for Mommy.  Thank you for Daddy.  Thank you for me."  What a sweet, sweet, girl.  I'm thanking God for her this evening, that's for sure!

And since I can't post without at least one picture, here's a family shot from our August trip to Chicago.  Separate posts coming this week about our fun trip up north!