Selah's Sayings...

I think I will need a recurring post title called "Selah's Sayings" simply because that girl makes us laugh so much. She has such a delightful (and dramatic personality). For instance, she was talking with me, but once she saw a bag from Kohls in my hand she said, "ooo, new clothes!" She LOVES fashion and shoes and I want her to pick out my outfits for the rest of my life. :) 

She loves to say she is brave and isn't scared of anything. The other night we were reading the Bible story where David kills a lion with his sling shot and Selah said she is brave and could do that, but since she doesn't have a sling shot, she would just use her hands. 

She is curious about lots of things such as how does Ariel (in costume at the zoo) walk when she only has fins. Also, the stomach bug got her thinking... 

Selah: mom, do you remember when I was sick. 
Me: yes. 
S: let's talk about the stomach bug. 
Me: okay... What do you want to know? 
S: is it the stomach bug that makes that jelly come out of your belly? 
Me: yes. 
S: that makes Jesus mad. 
Me: well, he doesn't like it when we get sick but I don't know that it makes him mad. 
S: yes it does. When that jelly comes up from your belly it goes up through your heart and Jesus lives in our hearts and he doesn't like it washing over him

Sooo cute. And funny. She makes me laugh and giggle every day. She also reminds me of me... so much! She's like a little darby running around, even our babysitter says it is freaky and she feels like I am right there with them if selah is there. ha. 

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Halloween 2015 was a blast... Havana dressed as Jasmine, Jonah a Stormtrooper, Selah was Dorothy, Asa was Yoda, and Hezekiah was a lion. As always, October was full of pumpkin picking (and carving), halloween at the zoo, and trick-or-treating. The weather cooperated and Jason was able to have the evening off. All and all - a great time. :)

Thanksgiving was fun this year. Jason had the entire weekend off (which never happens and will likely never happen again) so we went to Cincinnati... 

And for Christmas we stayed home (daddy had the day off again!). We spend Christmas eve at my parents and then we were heading to Jason's parents when havana puked all over the car and we ran off an incline and had to get towed. So... Christmas with that side of the family didn't happen until later. 

It was such a great few months! 

Asa's 3rd birthday letter

Dear Asa,

Earlier this month, you turned 3 years old! You requested a Bubble Guppies party which was fun to have. Sadly, I'm noticing that I'm exhausted by the time your bday rolls around from Christmas... but I'm hoping that I can learn to prepare better in advance. I never want you to feel that your birthday isn't special because it is and you are.

You've had a fun year. You enjoy anything that the older kiddos do. Over the past year with ditched your paci, which was huge for you, moved you into a toddler bed, and semi-potty trained you. You faithfully go #2 on the potty, but for some strange reason still resist peeing on the potty. You took a trip to the beach where you despised the water but loved the sand. You enjoyed a day at Holiday World. You went trick-or-treating as Yoda and really love Captain America... in fact, you ran up to meet him at the zoo.

You're a funny boy... full of personality and manipulation. :) You love to kiss me when I'm correcting you and kiss me before you obey. This is rather scary that you know how to do this, but it is hard not to wear a big smile. My favorite place for your head to be in the crook of my neck...

You are a spunky little brother who loves to smother your siblings... or tackle them. You are an awesome older brother who is constantly kissing and snuggling Hezekiah. It's fun to have you as our 4th! God has placed you there for a reason. I remember once feeling so scared about how you would react to Heze... thinking you would be bitter towards him or want nothing to do with him... but you instantly loved him and have been looking out for him ever since. My heart swells when I see that.

You are growing up, using your words and becoming such a big boy. I'm proud of you and I love you. I want nothing more for your heart to be sold out the One who created you and that you will spend your days honoring him by the way you interact with your family. Thank you for being you, Asa Joash! This mama loves you!

Havana's 7th Birthday Letter

Dear Havana,

Last year I wrote your birthday letter to you on January 15th and said I would need to be more prompt. I'm hoping January 1st counts. Eek, sorry honey. I have thought about what to say for so long, but really there is so much I want to say that it is hard for me to accurately write it down... and the thought of coming up short from what's in my heart keeps me from writing, but here I am... let's do this.

First, I just want to tell you that I love you very, very much. You told me tonight as I was tucking you in bed that you don't feel special around Selah... I talked to you about not believing the lies of Satan, but to always know that You, just as you are, are special to God, mommy and daddy. You seem to struggle with having to prove yourself... you have to be the winner of the game or you have to figure out homework problems on your own... I think it the first-born in you, but I also am praying for you as I fear it might be some pride dwelling up in  your heart. At one point this year I told you I was your mom and that I'm here to help... you sat down and wrote me a note that said, "Dear Mom, You can help me by letting me do it by myself." When we took you rollerskating for your seventh birthday date you didn't want to skate holding our hands, but figuring it out on your own. I'm praying that I will know how to direct, channel, and correct (when needed) that attitude of yours. But as I do, know that you are loved completely.

Over the past year you have continued to excel and grow. You finished Kindergarten in May and are loving going to school three days a week. You enjoyed a trip to the beach where you loved finding sea shells and we even found a sand dollar (not to mention touch a beached shark!).

You were in a ballet recital... you did awesome dancing to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and I loved watching you excel. I'm also excited that you began piano... you have such a love for music and I'm glad we are honing in on that at an early age.

You have been growing in your faith, reading the Bible and asking really great questions like how do we know God is real and not just a made up story. You have been seeking God, clinging to Him, and falling in love with his word. You are thinking about the stories... and placing yourself in them. I love it and pray that His Word is taking root in your heart and will help you throughout the rest of your life. You are saying amazing prayers! I love your faith...

You have developed a similar passion to your mama, Scrapbooking. For your 7th birthday I gave you lots of scrapbook supplies and you have been hard at work. You are very artsy and very good. I love that you will have your own books, and it is fun to spend time together doing something we both enjoy.

Over the year you have lost three teeth (maybe four?) and while you do get anxious, it is just a reminder of all the rights of passage you are about to embark in. You are getting taller... another reminder of how you are growing up. You are developing more adult tastes like Panera over Panda Express...

You had a Pluto birthday this year. Your friend party was at the dance studio and sadly not many of your classmates came, but i think that was due to it being kind of last minute on a Sunday in Indiana. You enjoyed a grandparents party on Halloween and also a date with mommy and daddy. We picked you up from school, took you to JC Pennys to buy an outfit and take photos... then we ate at Panera and went to Jammers, the roller skating rink. Such fun.

You love arts and crafts and color for hours every week. This year you made everyone a Thanksgiving place mat where you told them you were thankful for them. It was very sweet and I loved seeing your heart enjoy doing things for others.

I will be honest, I don't know how this mother/daughter relationship is suppose to work, but I pray that we are  building an unshakable bond and that you know you can trust me... I'm hoping that through the years you see a mama who is getting better at loving you because I'm loving Christ more with each passing year. You are my special girl, Havana Corynne! I love you forever!

Your mama!