Yesterday, I started on my very first project for the year. We have been wanting to update Trinity’s bedroom for some time now, but we have had to wait until the construction on our house was finished. I'm am so happy that it is almost done!
For the past few months, I had been thinking about what style to do for her bedroom. Her walls were two different shades of orange and had dinosaur border. The walls were in need of a fresh coat of paint and we needed to update her theme a little. I really wanted to do a theme that reflected her personality, but would grow with her as she ages.
What reflects our 9-year-old Trinity at the moment?
Nature.
She loves ants. Bugs. Plants. Lizards. Birds. Animals. Science.
I have had to get used to all of the creepy crawlies she brings into the house and the little creatures that dwell in her bedroom! They have ranged from Aquasoars to geckos to ants and she has loved them all.
Trinity is my stepdaughter and she tends to have more in common with her daddy. While my biological daughter, Jocelyn is my little mini-me.
Jocelyn likes reading, writing and drawing. She names every stuffed animal she has and takes care of them as if they are her children. She loves pink, glitter and anything that sparkles. She likes to paint her nails and dance around the house. She sings the lyrics to every song on the radio and says that some day she is going to be famous and the whole world will know all about her.
Trinity could not care less about the world knowing her; she wants to know all about the world. In fact, Trinity wants to save the world! She comes home with new science facts often and there are always piles of leaves, twigs and dried up flowers under her bed. When the girls get gift cards to toy stores and are allowed to pick out a toy she usually ends up with plant or animal habitats.
Even though our girls are so very different, they have gotten so close! The other day as I was in my room folding laundry I could hear them giggling up a storm as they were getting ready for bed. They are two peas in a pod. They fight like sisters who have known each other for years and they love each other like crazy. Their two very different personalities complement each other so well.
If you read my posts you know that I am always bragging on my husband. He has been a huge blessing to me, but there are many times that I stop to think about what a huge blessing, Trinity is too. His daughter has become my daughter's best friend. I couldn't have picked a better girl for the job.
Yes, Trinity has unique interests, she is smart, well behaved and an excellent role model for Jocelyn, but what makes her so special is her heart.
She has a heart that cares and that truly wants to help others. If we cough, she asks if we are okay. If we need something done, she jumps up to do it. If she sees someone hurt she wants to help. If one of the kids is about to get in trouble, she makes excuses for them so that we do not get upset at them. She is a little helper, a little protector and an amazing big sister.
She was six when we first met and she was not going to let me in very easily. Once when I showed up to my (now) stepson’s football game she loudly asked her dad, “Why is her here? Why did you bring her for?” Now we laugh about it, but that day, it was awkward! There were many moments when her dad and I first started dating that she would tell me she wished her mom still lived with her dad. She talked about her family’s “break up” often.
Nearly 3 years have passed since I met her and this house that I used to visit has become “our” home. Since marrying her dad, I have had many talks with her about how hard I will try to be a good stepmom. I have also used a line that I loved when I heard it… I told the girls that Jocelyn “grew in my belly”, but Trinity “grew in my heart!”
I am not her biological mom and I will never take her place, but I try very hard to fill her mother's shoes when she is not around. I love Trinity the way that I want Jocelyn’s future stepmom to love her. I am Jocelyn’s mommy and Trinity’s “other” mom.
As an "other" mom, I had a big responsibility to love this little girl and make her feel just as special and as loved as my own child. Because we married when our girls were young we were able to transition into our new roles fairly easy.
I make Trinity's meals and do her laundry. I help her with her homework. I style her hair before school and I say her prayers with her at night. I discipline her when she needs it and I hug her when she needs it.
I am her "other" mother and I am grateful she is mine!
P.S. Her furniture was pretty faded and and scratched so I am spraying it and then going to give it a distressed look. Fingers crossed, I'm a little nervous! ...Can’t wait to show you the pictures of the finished product. We are almost done!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the wonderful children that you have given to me!
Please help our children continue to bond in a way that will keep them close for life. Please continue to foster the relationship that I have with my stepchildren and that my husband has with my daughter, so that we will have a happy and healthy family for years to come.
Also, please bless my marriage.
Amen.
