It was the java: Independence again and again.. and a little running too

A few weeks back, Matt's cousins Becca (below left) and Alli (next to Matt) were visiting from Raleigh. We so love when his family visits. We love to all group up at Matt's grandparents, Pop and Mamee (pictured below) house and enjoy each other.

Lately, independence is showing up a lot at our house. In funny ways, scary ways and in some enjoyable ways. The other night I went to check on her before I went to sleep. And when I glanced in her crib, this is what I saw.. Her dipaer laying next to her and her pajamas back on just so.. I laughed to myself at first. Then I just put the diaper back on her while she was asleep. Since this moment, it has happened 3 days in row.. Thankfully, there hasn't been any tee tee accidents. When she does this in the morning, I take her straight to the potty.

During playtime, she has been creating stories for her toys and lining them up, organizing, take care of them and overall playing all by herself. Her favorites right now are her two princesses and prince from her princess castle.

This is her castle, and they were all sitting down for "tea"

She also has a little frog, and loves for it to sit on biggie frog.. Too cute!

Her ideas make me smile a lot

And this is the scary part. She is a RUNNER! It has been happening for the last several weeks. I have spanked, lectured, cried and worried over it for about 3 weeks now. Here is one of those moments at Matt's grandparents. He caught her in plenty of time because thankfully, he is way faster than her, and the fact that she was more worried about her backpack at the time.

This is coming back down the hill after one very upset Mommy and Daddy.

Parenting has been very challenging for several months as we work through these independent times. Thankfully, it is the Lord who is revealing to us needed answers..

But these times, make it all worth it.. We were making a dish to take to a friend's house. She is a pro at cracking open eggs. Don't you just love how she got ready for her cooking duties? Visor to keep the hair back and a sucker to enjoy!