Lately a lot of our blogs have been about medical and Aveline. Today I want to talk to you about Novella. I want to brag on her for just a minute. With everything that has been going on with her little sister medically she has truly blossomed through all of it.

The night before her sisters surgery she prayed before bed. “God, thank you for my sister getting her tubie to help her eat better and not have to feed Aila anymore. Help me to always love Avie and for her to always be my best friend. Help me to love Avies new tubie.” What sweet words, innocent, honest, caring, loving words. After Aveline woke up from surgery Novella was there, “It’s okay Avie, I know it hurts right now, but you will be okay. I really love your tubie, it is beautiful!”

Although we have had to put some of our homeschooling on the back burner lately with everything going on, she has continued to learn new things. She can explain to you what a feeding tube is, and why her sister needs one. When her sister is sick from not tolerating a feed, Novella is concerned for her, uplifts her. When Aveline is sick or sad and crying, Novella sings to her. This little girl knows just when her momma needs a big hug and an “I love you so much momma” or a “you’re beautiful momma”.

When Novella comes into our room in the morning the excitement that the two girls have for seeing one another and the squeals and hugs bring me so much delight.

God has truly blessed us with two very unique and amazing little girls. Sometimes in the stress of life, insurance phone calls, a screaming toddler, and sibling fighting I forget to absorb the here and the now, the sweet moments that are innocent and lovely. These are the moments and things I want to embrace and remember on hard days. I don’t want to forget that Novella calls and elevator and alligator, or her sweet giggle. It is easy to get sucked into the mundane parts of life, it is easy to get sucked into the stress of life. But golly, she is will be 4 in a few months, and I don’t want to miss her or Aveline growing up.

As I hold a sleeping Aveline for nap, Novella comes in and gently kisses her, “Momma, I just want to give her a little tiny kiss, she is just so beautiful”.

I have been working harder to use more descriptive words when I talk to the girls, instead of just saying you’re beautiful; I try to tell them how strong, brave , courageous, lovely, smart, funny, etc that they are. They are more than just their looks, inside of each of them is an amazing personality and love, a beauty that blossoms more and more each day. This is what I choose to focus and dwell on. We are blessed