Dear Midget,
Before you were born, your Dad and I had a really hard time deciding what to name you . We both have very different ideas of what constitutes an excellent name. He was pulling for names from his childhood- Brittany, Whitley, Felicity. . . while I wanted something like Leah, Melanie, or Miriam. Eventually, the next great war was prevented when we agreed on Emmeline Adelle. And then you were born. And Emmeline fit you perfectly. But, so did LemonLime, Emmelion, and Midget. You are little, at least almost all of you is little, except for your cheeks. You recently pointed out to someone that your cheeks is what makes you so cute, "because they are soooo SQUISHY!" complete with a demonstration. Who can blame you for saying this when people comment on your cheeks everywhere we go? They are pretty cute. You are just an adorable little package of cuteness. It's true. You know it, but you are so cute that it isn't even annoying.
You experience everything in life with a sense of wonder. Somehow you make your eyes sparkle when you are excited. Really. They sparkle. I've asked you how you do it, but you don't know anymore than I do.
You are funny. Every single day you say something that makes me laugh. If it is really funny, you usually tell me not to laugh. And I do try not to laugh. But, your vocabulary is so advanced for a little girl who looks like she is 3 years old, it's just hard to keep a straight face when you say things like," Audrey hurt my feelings and I'm just very sensitive." "That was exhausting" "When can we go to the orthodontist again?" "Doctor Gummy is my pediatrician." and a gazillion other things.
You are learning how to read, mostly 3 letter words, but you tried out "dentist" on your own a couple of weeks ago. You had your first checkup this fall and acted like it was no big deal. You got your kindergarten shots, knowing they would hurt, but deciding it was worth it to avoid the illnesses they protect against.
You ask me when we are going to read scriptures next and cry if you don't get a turn "reading" . With just a few practices you memorized your scripture for the Primary Program yesterday, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Emmeline, you are wise beyond your years. Already you have asked me to help you when you have your first baby, to help you through the labor pains. You have picked a husband and ordered a carriage with hearts on the wheels. You think about when you grow up and move out. More than anything, at only 4 years old, you desire to grow up and be a wife and mother. You have many interests and many talents, but you understand that nothing is more important than family.
Midget, you are a delight to be around. I always thought I would celebrate when my last child went to school, but instead, I have put it off. I didn't send you off to preschool. I taught at your preschool. I'm not ready for you to go to Kindergarten in 10 months. I am not going to have a party. I am going to be sad. You are the best little buddy a Mom could ever want. You love to go with me to teach piano lessons in Orem, to clean Grandma's house, to buy groceries, to perform PTA service, to visit teach, to weed or harvest in the garden, to visit the chiropractor, or to pick Audrey up from school. It doesn't matter where I'm going; you want to come with me. I never need a break from you. I hope that never changes.
I hope that when you grow up and go off to college that you want to come home to see your Mommy. I hope you still want to talk to me, to be with me, even if what I am doing is kind of boring. I hope that you get a chance to fill your brilliant mind with light and knowledge, experiences and increased love. And most of all, I hope that one day you get to be a mommy too, and then you will understand exactly how much I love you.
Don't grow up too fast Midget.
Love,
Mommy
