Happy Birthday, Ethan!

To my amazing firstborn,

Ethan, you have grown up so much in the last year.  One year away from double digits with feet almost as big as mine. Sometimes, I even “borrow” your socks.  And height…you’re so tall and broad.  You’re growing like a weed, and I know it won’t be long before I’m looking up to you.

But even while I watch you grow into the young man that God would have you to be, I can still see you curled up in my arms. An eight pound little miracle blessing, sleeping peacefully. How the last nine years have flown by!

You’ve completed third grade and, miraculously, have decided that reading is your favorite subject and that long division is completely unnecessary for your adult life. Right?  You love science and all things nature related.  Anything that takes you outside is good, and you’ve learned how to make anything into a lesson. I can hear your voice as you catch frogs and find snake skins.  “That’s schoolish. Right, Mom?”

You are a huge help around the house and really want to please people. Some days it seems as if you want to be in the midst of the younger children, but other days, you want to be hanging out with the adults.  There's a part of you that is longing to grow up.

You care about your siblings in a very special way, and I’m thankful you all like each other.   I know you love one another, but I’m grateful that you like each other…most of the time!

You are a precious child and I am thankful to be your mom.

I love you so much, Ethan!

Love,

Mommy

Split personality

Grace can be hilarious and talkative.  She plays and runs around singing and making up games and stories.  She has an amazing sense of humor.  Throughout the Christmas season, she came up with all sorts of ideas about Santa, and she made up several songs about Santa Cwaus coming to town.  Even now, after she's been told to stay in bed, she needs to quickly find out how many days til Christmas before she can go to sleep.

But...she will clam up like none of the others.  I mean she'll turn silent.  She won't always look up or speak, and some people have actually expressed concern for her development.

I am not concerned.  Not one iota.  She. is. fine.  We're just working on her manners...

"Mawy had a wittle ham, wittle ham, wittle ham.  Mawy had a wittle ham, some bacon and some eggs."  Love this little sweetie...

Things you don't think you'll overhear...

"I sure hope somebody punches me in the face at karate..."


{pause...scratching head...}


"Maybe this tooth will finally come out!"


This child is super high octane energy, and aside from occasional nervous twitching, I enjoy being with him.  Laughing with him or trying not to laugh at him as his jokes have a running potty-related theme.  I envision Deron being very much like this little guy in his youth.

And what a handsome little thing...

Blast from the past!

Baby Grace!

I thought I'd lost all these old videos and pictures...

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

My sweet and precious Hannah,

photo credit: Laura Roush Photography

Today, you turn five years old, and my mind is taken back to the day you came into this world.  Having been born at 3:12 in the morning, you were in some kinda hurry compared to your brothers. I didn't miss a meal.  Always the parent pleaser.

Fast forward a few years and we've got this sweet, quiet, bright, friendly, little beautiful girl with a heart of gold.

This has been a very good year for you.  You have come out of your shell in a mighty way making friends wherever you go.  And I do mean wherever...the library, Chik-fil-A, karate, and the grocery store if I let you chat long enough.  It's nice to see that since you've always been very reserved.  The confidence you've displayed this year becomes you.

You started preschool and are now begging for more schoolwork. Teaching you has been a whole different world than what I'm used to.  You spend a lot of time begging for more...wanting to know more and learn more and have your turn.  You're a catching things rapidly which allows for extra playtime, as well.

You are my little shadow.  You want to do what I do, sit where I sit, go where I go.  It can be very sweet and very humbling as I see myself through your eyes.  May the Lord be ever with me as I try and set a good example for you, my dear girl.

Sometimes, I wonder what things will be like as you get older and I have to stop and remind myself that what we are doing now will influence how things will be years from now.  How do we spend our days?  What will you remember from your childhood?  What do I want you to remember?  When asked what was important to your family, what would I want you to say?  I need to put first things first.  I hope I do that in a very visible way for you.  I hope you always know in what order our priorities should be.

You are a sweet and precious member of this family.  You are loved beyond comprehension, and I am very thankful to be your mother.

I love you, sweet Hannah-Bella.

Love,
Mommy