Dear Selah (6th birthday letter)

Dear Selah,

So, I started this post closer to your actual birthday, but apparently it didn't save. So now I'm trying to recreate it. :)

On July 19th, you turned the big SIX! I can't believe it. You had a fabulous year, but really that's just always you. You are always smiling, easy going, and other centered. Sometimes I feel bad because I feel that I give you the least amount of attention, but that's because you are always so great!

Every night when I ask you what you favorite thing of the day was, you always tell me that it is me and that your least favorite thing is "nothing" -- I don't think that is always the case, but I love hearing it just the same.

Shortly after your fifth birthday, we moved to a new house and you have adjusted very well. You enjoy climbing trees and playing in the creek. We traveled to Florida and you met Grandma Ruth and enjoyed your time at Disney World. On one ride, they chose children to act out the story of Belle with the Princess and at first you didn't want to, but once you saw everyone up there, you decided to join it. It was fun to hear the narrator call you "a friend from the village" since they had already cast all the kiddos. :) You were so glad to have a picture taken with Belle.

You were really upset that you didn't start Kindergarten at five. In fact you cried "I was born too late"-- but mommy and daddy were content on keeping you home one more year. You spent the time playing with Asa and Hezekiah and being the bearcats class at All About Kids.

You are so beautiful and full of life. You've met great friends at the La Grange campus like Lucy and Julianna, but I also know that you make friends with everyone and are still so good and getting to know other people's names. You are a delight to each and every teacher and babysitter.

I'm excited to see what God wants to do in and through you. Praying you'll have a huge evangelical heart as you naturally love people. Thanks for being my near-perfect little girl.

Love,
mommy

Dear Jonah (7th Birthday Letter)

Dear Jonah,

On May 3rd you turned seven! I can't even believe you're already this old and yet I also can't seem to remember life before you. You are such a fun boy-- you are always dreaming up some neat story! We celebrated with a family party and you had your first real friend party at Bricks and Mini-Figs. You enjoyed a morning with your friends and legos.

You have such a leadership skill, buddy... one that influences our entire family. As your interests go, so does all of ours. It started with firetrucks and David and Goliath. You went through a train phase and so did daddy. This year began with you still loving Star Wars, but those interests gave way to Ninjago, Ninjas, Martial Arts, and now you're starting to get into super heroes.

You have been taking a Ninja Warrior class at All About Kids for the last several months and enjoy growing in your love for obstacle courses and booby traps.

You finished first grade at Highlands Latin and did great in Miss Wiggington's class this year. She had nothing but rave reviews for you. After much prayer, we are getting ready to switch to homeschool and will have you do first grade again... not because of anything academic but because of your age. I didn't really want to wait before sending you to second grade because I took two years of first grade and hated it, but daddy keeps reminding me we are doing this for you and not to you. We know that another year will boost your leadership and maturity. I'm also kind of excited that you get to be at home with us for another year. :)

You've done wonderful this year with moving houses and starting attending the La Grange campus of church. You've become good friends with a boy named Tripp. You all have similar personalities and I often think he might very well be our answer to our prayers for you to find a great friend.

You remain an incredible artist. We always tell you that God gave you special hands and we can't wait to see what He will do with them through you. All your teachers notice that you really do have a gift beyond your hears. Your attention to detail is amazing and so is your accuracy. I love seeing the pictures you draw of the Bible!

We traveled to Florida in March of this year. You enjoyed going to Legoland and Disney World... we also went to Sea World where you sobbed when the orca splashed us and your face was on the jumbo screen!

You continue to be funny and your personality is unique. I'm proud of the man you are becoming and how other centered you can be. I'm excited to watch God move in you over this next year.

This year you said that when you grow up you want to be the president of the united stated, but then once your terms are up you want to be a ninja. I think that is great plan, but I also remain certain that perhaps you are going to be called into vocational ministry. I don't know what God has in store for you, but I'm sure it will be big. He already uses you and your tender heart to touch your daddy and I. Once we saw a homeless person asking for money and you INSISTED we find them and give them some money because we have some and they don't. I pray you never lose your tender heart.

Thanks for being so wonderful my lego-loving, super hero! I'm proud to be your mama!

Love you,
Mom-mom