Watching you

Today it was a little chilly outside. You really wanted to go outside and play with Bubby and big Sissy but you didn't want to take off your leotard and tutu to put warmer clothes on.  You decided to stay inside with mama and spent some time playing on my bed while I cleaned and got some work done.  Every few minutes you would stop and watch them from the window. Then you would get back to talking and dancing and singing. I love to watch you in your world, always so animated and full of life.  It is precious.

A blue sky kind of day

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

-Psalm 118:24

Today, was like many other days, filled with highs and lows.  It was filled with challenges as most days are, yet, when I look back on they day, this is how I see it. I see Big Sissy in your favorite tree on a glorious blue sky day. I watched you through the window and loved this beautiful scene. I see Bubby running around the back yard with your tennis racket hitting a ball as high as you could over and over--yelling Mama, watch, watch me. And I see baby Sissy making your "magical imaginary garden" with pots and dead flowers.

The Joy, it wins.

Yes, we had some math struggles, some arguments to simmer, and some pre-dinner meltdowns (after no nap). But I say Joy wins, it was a most beautiful day to remember.

creating

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” - Albert Einstein

You have always enjoyed arts and crafts. You love to create things from your imagination. You search for pieces of material, cardboard, or whatever you can find and turn it into some kind of treasure. I hope you hold on to this forever  because it really is a gift.

changes

Tonight we were down by the lake playing when I saw you watching your brother and sister from the shore.  I noticed your hair glowing in the day's last bit of sunlight.I noticed how long your hair was. Everyday you say that you want your hair to be like Rapunzel.  You keep saying that it isn't long yet because it isn't to the ground. Today I took this picture so I could show you how long it is getting and also so I could show you the changes months from now. It's hard to see little changes like this daily. I am thankful to have these daily memories of our life together so that I can remember little things like this.

a beautiful january afternoon

This afternoon was spent by the lake.  You splashed in the water with your brother and cousin. I watched as your made up games. You are always the director and so creative with your ideas.  I love that about you.   We were coming up from the lake and I asked if I could take this picture.  The grass is still so green in January.   When we finished you asked if I would count while you jumped on your new pogo stick.  You have been practicing daily and you are now jumping over 200 times without stopping.   I love you always my sweet girl.  You are at such a precious age;  I wish I could pause it for a while.

morning sun

You love to come into my room when you wake up and often you ask to watch a "show" before we go down for breakfast.  This morning I loved watching you in the beautiful light. I adore that your much loved, pink, blankey is always by your side.

puzzles before breakfast

For Christmas you got a couple of new floor puzzles. One is of the World and the other is the United States map.  You love to put these together and talk about all the different places. You have so many questions as you study these maps. This morning you were showing baby Sissy where the different states were located and where you each were born.   You got a little frustrated with her when she accidentally caused the puzzle to come apart, but we are working on patience with one another and you are getting better each day. You are a wonderful big brother and always love to include her which makes me very happy.

first born

It is when our hearts are stirred that we become most aware of what they contain. -Andy Stanley

My first born child; my tender heart-ed, thoughtful,compassionate girl. This morning I was feeling emotional and was upstairs in the bathroom when you were looking for me. I called down and told you I was upstairs. You could hear it in my voice.  You could tell something was wrong. You found me and immediately wrapped me in your arms and asked if I was okay. What a gift you are. I thank God everyday for the love and joy you bring to each of us.

basketball

We love that we live in a place where you can play outside all year long.  You were excited on Christmas morning to see that Santa brought you a basket ball goal. We have had so much fun as a family playing with this fun new toy.   You are so determined and will go out at all times of the day to get practice in.  This week it has been pretty cold for Florida.  I loved when I saw you out the window in your shorts, fleece, Angry Birds hat, and one glove.  I love you Bubby for every single bit of what makes you YOU.

dress change

You definitely love to change your clothes and this is most often how I find your room.

the doctor is in

You are always talking a mile a minute and lost in your world of play.  I love to sit by, while you don't notice, and record your conversations. Today you played doctor and gave your animals their much needed check -ups.

back to school

Today we got back to our homeschooling routine after a much appreciated break during most of December.  It was such a joy to have the past few weeks off of school so we could just relax and really enjoy the Christmas season, but it is always nice to get back to a routine. We are blessed that our school days are still relaxed and full of fun together. Today was a reminder to me how grateful I am that we can chose how and where we want to educate all of you.  It is a gift to be with you daily, to help you grow, and watch you strive.

rainbow loom

For the past few months, I have found these little, colorful, rubber bands throughout our home.   You have spent hours watching you tube videos, practicing and mastering this "rainbow looming." I love seeing you challenged and so determined to figure it out. This week we read that Sarah Roberston , a fellow photographer, was making a trip to Manilla in February. She is hoping to have 300 of these rainbow bracelets to take with her.   We decided that we would get involved and help this cause. You will be busy the next few weeks creating these special gifts.   What a joy it is to see you be able to do something in this special way for the Kingdom of God. If you are interested in helping to make the goal of 300 bracelets, please contact Sarah at sarahrobertsonphoto@gmail.com.  You can read her story and mission on on her blog.  It really is a beautiful testimony. These words really stuck out to me:  " It occurred to me that as much as I feel called to tell the stories of God's work in the world, I feel called as a mom to help children know those stories and tell them!  I want them to feel their role in that story and see their purpose and calling to maybe one day do something more than send a bracelet. Maybe they will pray.  Maybe they will give money.  Maybe they will give their lives.  And regardless I want them to be warriors."  

My husband has had the opportunity to do mission work in Guatemala the past two summers. It has been such a gift to be able to involve our children in small ways such as donating shoes, making photo books, and just hearing the stories and testimonies. We have also involved our children on local missions during the summer and holiday seasons. I pray that these little steps will prepare their hearts for the future and help them to put the needs of others before themselves.  Thank you Sarah for this opportunity to let our children serve in this fun and creative way.

my helper

We packed up all of the Christmas decorations this afternoon. You worked together with Big Sissy to help me take down the Christmas tree and pick up the decorations throughout the house to box up. You were so eager to help me. I loved hearing your voice with excitement ask me what you could do to help next.  At one point Bubby said he was sad because the house looked so plain. You told him it was okay, because there would be another Christmas in a little while. I love the way you see life.

my name is ariel

You love to play dress up.  I find costume changes all over your room and the house daily. Today you proudly proclaimed that your name was Ariel. We were not to use any other name for you, only Ariel. You also explained to me that this was not a dress-up outfit--it was clothes.  You were keeping it in your closet with your other dresses. I was not to put it away in the basket with all of your other princess dresses. I loved watching you play and pretend. Later, you came to me crying, because you had cut a hole in  your new Ariel dress. When Daddy came home from work, I told you that you needed to explain to him what had happened. You told him you were so mad because it was so itchy that you cut it. This is you at four. Our sweet, strong-willed girl. I love you.

responsiblity

“Our lives do not culminate in a moment. We should not be hoping for one great photo shoot, because that is not what God is doing with us. Our lives are a story—they are interwoven with the next generation in a way that is impossible for us to understand. Getting our sense of achievement and satisfaction out of cheerfully performing the tasks that are asked of us can do nothing but good in our lives.” - Rachel Jankovic Today you spilled a bucket of beads on the floor.   You didn't want to pick them up and actually ignored the mess until I found it.  When I told you that you would pick them up, you asked if your sisters could help you. In this case, I said no. I didn't want to make you miserable but I wanted you to learn responsibility. I wanted you to see the accomplishment of following through with a task you are given--even when you don't really want to do it.  You grumbled and you got really mad and upset, but the beads were picked up.  I did end up helping you and encouraged you along the way.  I can't say that you were joyful when you were finished, but my prayer is that these little baby steps will help to create a responsible young man one day.

These are the moments when we sometimes have to seek joy. It isn't always as evident as other times in our daily lives. This is reality and there is always a chance to grow and learn.

lots of bubbles

You all love to go to Mimi and Popi's house.  I love to be there too. We only live a few houses down the road from Mimi and Popi, yet there is still a feeling of comfort every time we walk through their door. Mimi always has lots of fun bath soaps and lotions. You love to smell them and try them all.  Simple joys in life are truly precious.

karaoke in the house

Some people may think we were crazy to buy you a gift that will make so much noise, but I was so excited for you to open it on Christmas morning. You love to perform and now we can all hear your sweet voice amplified throughout our home. I knew this gift would bring you so many fun memories.  At the beautiful age of 9, your dreams are endless and the world is your stage.  I see you and I see joy. Happy New Year and welcome to the Joy Project! You can read more about my plans for this project here.