Dear Havana

Oh child... tomorrow you will be 8! I can't believe it. You are so bright, beautiful, creative, fun, and sweet. I love your heart, your knowledge of the Word, your questions about God, and all the fun you see in life.

You love to organize things. You are always helping me put things away or set up new systems. I also somethings think of you as a little squirrel because you put random things in strange places, but you have a reason and a purpose... storing it for later. It makes me smile when I find an old juice box that you hid in your bathroom drawer because you liked the picture. Don't get me wrong, I still threw it away, but I did so with a smile on my face. :)

This past year you finished up first grade with a bang! Enjoyed a hectic summer where we MOVED, and started 2nd grade. You might have a discouraging moment or two, but most of the time you are upbeat and excited about any and everything. You LOVE all things music (worship, dance, classical, and show tunes) and art. You were in "hip hop" dance this year, where I had to have the teacher change the songs because of the lyrics, but I don't think you were too embarrassed of me. :)

My heart is so emotional right now. How can my little girl be getting big so fast? Your daddy and I often speak about how big you are getting. You are growing into quite a beautiful and kind lady.

It's fun to talk to you. We talk friends, politics, and God. You love baby Einstein, classical music, dancing, singing, and playing games. You get bored kind of easily if an adult is not around. You are expressive and fun.

We were talking politics recently and God used you to convict me... I had mentioned to you (several times) that I'm not excited about Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. You said that if they name a bridge after either of them we won't say the name but call it the "nothing bridge" -- I realized I wasn't setting a respectful tone. So we have talked about no matter who wins, we will pray for them. You said you hope they listen to Jesus... I do too. Thanks for challenging me on that. I'm looking forward to growing in our relationship!

Here's the message I want you to know right now:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made no mistakes on how He has wired you. You are smart and funny... kind and pretty. But none of those are the most important things. Your heart that beats for God and is other centered is what will keep you on the right path. Your creativity is a way to point others to the Lord, and I pray that you will learn to worship Him in the midst of your music and crafting. Be a light for him, don't worry about the opinion of others. Be a good friend to all and don't worry if you don't have someone you can call a "best friend." Trust God no matter what, He is the only thing you can put your hope in.

I don't know what this year will have in store for you, but I know that with prayer and Jesus we will make it through it all. I love you so much... I'm so lucky to be your mom-mom. Thanks for being my snuggly girl.

Apple-tight

Selah kept telling me she lost her appetite. Only she says "Apple tight" and if I try to tell her otherwise she makes a big fuss. Haha. 

Sweet sayings

So much to blog and write about. But before I forget...

We were driving down the road when Selah dropped a toy. She said she could reach it if she took her seat belt off. Havana quickly turned around and said, "No! It's not safe. Especially on the Internet!" 

Jonah is such a sweet boy and was telling me all about how the Bible tells us we have to love our "mnies" which was his sweet way of saying "enemies"

Selah is just a bundle of fun but has her tender moments. The other morning she woke up before anyone and then told me she prayed in every room of the house. 

Asa is a gifts boy and is always picking flowers or leaves for me. He calls them my "special presents." Anyway, I told him the other day that he was going to make his wife very happy someday with all his gift giving. He said "yeah, every time she cries I will get her a special present like grass or rocks." :) also, when he talks he isn't making his "r" sound yet. So instead of "creek" it is ceek. So cute. 

Heze's started referring to himself as Kiah. Guess he is skipping the heze nick name I gave him. He also says come on "kumon" and I love hearing it. :) 

Tommy & Fawoo

Hezekiah has a sweet little voice. I love hearing him attempt to say whatever the big kids are saying. Some of my favorites right now are how he calls Thomas the Train "Tommy" and Fireworks "Fawoo" -- he was so fun to watch on the 4th. He would run (belly out) up and down the sidewalk yelling "mama! Look! Fawoo"

Crib escape!

So this little stinker (seen here offering me a kiss) learned how to climb out of his crib today! Twice at nap time and so far four times tonight. Not this young!!! Gonna be a long night.... 

Asa's Funnies

Recently I was giving Asa a bunch of kissed. He extended his arms keeping my face away and said, "Okay, okay... That's enough!"

After we picked up Havana and Jonah from school I was asking them all about their day... Asa piped up from the back and said, "Woah, woah, woah... Too many questions. Too many questions."

Today I was snuggling with Asa and told him he would have to break free from my arms to get out. He stopped struggling and said (mainly to himself), "Focus. Focus." 

So funny!

And I don't know if I've written about it before but one night he kept getting out of his bed and I finally said, "now look..." He quickly popped up, gave me a kiss, tilted his head, and then said, "now look what?" 

Garth Brooks

Jason took me to the concert of my dreams on Saturday night!!!! Loved every minute of Garth!!!!