Today, you turn six.
It’s been a good year beloved ones.
We’ve had change and adventure and yet a stable foundation to keep you grounded – God, church, mommy and daddy, your grandparents, and the same home we brought you into from the hospital.
You each got trips with daddy to the farm or the ranch. PLUS, you each stayed all by yourself at the farm with grandma and grandpa. We got to visit Gaby and Papa in Oklahoma, and Mimi taught you how to play dominos and Sorry.
We went on our first family vacation in over two years: an adventure out West to Yosemite National Park and then Lake Tahoe. You fell in love with the house cat and stormed up mountain bases and begged to play in the streams.
You tried out all sorts of new activities over this year – from gymnastics to ballet and tee-ball to soccer, you’re running faster and learning to be good sports (which is more important than winning).
You seamlessly moved to a new school and started kindergarten, and you are already reading and writing and adding and subtracting.
But more than these joint efforts and activities, you are EACH your own individual.
Sweet S,
You’ve always been so curious about the Bible and God. In Pre-K3, they called you the preacher, and your Kindergarten teacher already has you pegged for the seminary. In June you asked Jesus to come into your heart and we danced with the angels.
You have grown so fast and so strong in sports this year. I’m proud of how you’re learning how to balance competition with good sportsmanship.
You love your grandfather and are heartbroken there’s no more square baling to do this fall as it’s your favorite. You still struggle with wanting to cry over all the things, but I know God is going to use that sensitivity for His good purpose. I can’t wait to see what this next year holds dear one.
Love you all the way to the moon and back, Mommy
Darling L,
I watched this week as you painstakingly made your bed and arranged all your stuffed animals in particular order, and then you promptly went to sleep in the floor because you didn’t want to mess it up. You remind me so much of myself – but better!
You are fierce and talented and brave and strong. After three years of ballet, you decided to try gymnastics and are working your heart out to rock that too. You struggled the first week of swim team, but went on to be the only five year old in the finals!
You’ve developed some sass this year, so I’m praying we foster your independence and intellect while ensuring you exhibit respect and gratitude. I’m so thankful God sent me a girl; you teach me so much.
I love you oodles and oodles and bunches and bunches, Mommy
Dear W,
You see and hear everything my curious little sponge. You always have. Not only do you absorb all of the knowledge and information around you, but you also absorb others emotions. You have great discernment and compassion, but with all of that ability to feel comes your struggles with sadness and anger. You are learning to, and we are working toward, improving together.
You are already reading so quickly and you have a deep understanding of the things you absorb. You adore your daddy and would follow him to the ends of the earth, or to the best fishing hole or deer stand.
You asked Jesus to come into your heart RIGHT before our adventure in Alabama together. We had time to explore and laugh (with fierce games of pool ball!) and play and understand each other better – we’re both just working to “calm down!”
I love you with all of my heart, Mommy
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