I love my Savannah

I was going to try and post a bunch of pictures of Finland, Lake Powell and the garden to try and catch up, but I just don't feel like spending that much time on the computer tonight. I'm so beat.

But, I did want to share how grateful I am for my sweet Savannah. Lately, we've had a struggle with her getting out of bed, several times, each night after saying good night. Fortunately, for us, she never had this problem when she transitioned from a crib to a bed. Anyway, I've told her to say a prayer if she's scared and she says that doesn't work. I told her that her prayers will only work if she has faith. We've also tried letting her read a book for a little while in bed before going to sleep but I can tell she's been staying up too late doing that because she's taken two naps this week. So, last night, I let her stay up an hour later (b/c she'd taken a nap) hoping that she would just go right to sleep. About 10 mintues after I closed her door, I heard her come down stairs and say, "Mom, there's something I need to tell you!" She started to tell me about the noises by her bed, but I ignored her, picked her up and carried her back to her bed and was about to loose it when I heard my mother in my head saying, "ACTIVE LISTEN". So, I took a long, deep breath and said, "You're scared of the noises by your bed." She nodded. I suggested we turn her sound machine on louder so she couldn't hear the noises. She said that was a good idea. I was so glad I used active listening to validate her fears instead of just yelling at her because it worked. I told her that I loved her, but I didn't want her to come out again. She promised she wouldn't...and she didn't.
Tonight as we were reading books, she told me she said a prayer "the other day" and it worked. I smiled. Then, as she said her bedtime prayers, she prayed that she would sleep good and not be scared and that she wouldn't come out of her room. I had a smile on my face through her entire prayer, and I think she opened her eyes and saw me smiling...I could tell in the tone of her voice. I love her. She pushes back a lot, but in the end, she wants to please us and do what's right. I'm so grateful that she has a desire to choose the right. I pray that that desire stays with her throughout her life. She teaches me a lot about myself and about being a parent. I know she is so much like me (and like I was as a child) and it's scary. There's nothing like a clone to show you your weaknesses and rub them in your face in order to make your realize what you need to work on. =} On that note, I'm going to bed early. Sweet dreams...