A Sammi Sandwich

Let me introduce our middle child Samantha Paige, aka "Sammi". There are so many words that come to mind when I think of Sammi - hilarious, talkative, social, fun-loving, girlie-girlie, giggly...they all describe her to a tee. There are days, however, when these words fail me and all I can think of is - stubborn, independent, determined and dramatic. What a mixed bag of tricks she is - all of them blessings! Out of our three kids, Sammi is probably the most like me - the one that looks the most like me, acts the most like me and has the stubborn streak like me (yes, I admit it). She is our social butterfly, the crazy little princess that is constantly performing various ballet steps - always and everywhere. Sammi is also the jokester in our house, laughter (make that contagious laughter) follows her wherever she goes. And her laugh...there is one thing I can say without question that she got from her father - her knee-slapping, side-aching belly laugh. When they get rolling together, you can bet the entire house is laughing with them. You can't possibly help yourself. It is the source of her laughter - her sense of humor, fun and adventure - that makes her who she is...just Sammi...not Samantha, not Sam, not Sammi-poo.

When I was pregnant with Sammi, I remember being told that each child would be different and that my relationship with each child would be unique. I didn't realize how true that was until Sammi, and then Alison, were born. Sammi and I share something that is pretty special - a likeness that doesn't always require words. I can look at her and know that she is contemplating doing something that is likely to get her in trouble. I can look at her and know that she is very upset with me because I didn't let her wear her pretty new spring dress. I know the looks because thirty years ago, they were on my young face:) In many ways we are are the same - we are sensitive, but we don't always want to show it. We like to play jokes and make people laugh- sometimes at our own expense. We can be downright ugly when we don't get enough sleep. And we want what we want when we want it and there is little talking that can be done to convince us otherwise. In so many other ways we are different - she will eat ANYTHING or at least try it a couple of times; she has no inhibitions about running around the house in just her underwear - no matter who has come to visit; and she loves, loves, loves to work out!! Running, aerobics, you name it - she's all for it any time, any day. Oh to have the energy of a four-year-old!!

I think of all Sammi's qualities, it is her ability to make her peers feel comfortable and become their friend that I envy the most. She has made great friends through her preschool program and I know that she will adapt to "Young 5's" in the fall without a blink of an eye. She is the first to go into a room and come out with a new best friend. Come school time, I can only imagine she'll have a whole room full of them!!

Everyday I look at this gorgeous young lady and I think how fortunate I am to have her many blessings in my life. Sammi's bright smile, warm heart, and funny little mannerisms are like my soft, warm blanket on a cold winter day. What would we do without this little spark plug in our lives? What would our day be without the roller coaster ride we call "Sammi" in our house? One thing is for sure - it would not be nearly as exciting and we would laugh a lot less. For sandwiched between our youngest and our oldest is this wonderful little creature that we simply adore. Our own little Sammi-sandwich:)