Prideful Girls! :)

The other day I overheard Havana talking to Selah. She said, "why do you like me so much? Is it because I am so amazing?!" 

Hahaha

Recently we were all having a rough day so Jason led us through a time of family repentance. He went first, then Havana and Jonah. When it got to Selah's turn she said, "Dear God, thank you for today. Thank you that I didn't not disobey. Thank you that everyone else in this family did bad things, but not me. Thank you that died on the cross to their sins. I love you Jesus, amen!" 

Jason and I looked at each other and thought, "parenting fail!" 

Selah also points out that when anyone disobeys it is a good thing she didn't disobey. 

Great memories

At night, we say prayers with each of the children.. For some reason asa likes to say the prayers with us and shouts the last word of every sentence. I don't know why but it always makes me laugh! 

I told Selah tonight that she was "my selah" and she looked at me very seriously and said, " uh, no, it's everyone's selah!" 

Last weekend the girls were in a dance recital. Selah dances to Spoon full of Sugar and Havana's was Somewhere over the rainbow. Havana nailed it again and selah waived to jason from on stage. Haha. I was the backstage mom, which is something I love being and during rehearsal of the finale, selah melted down and refused to go onstage. Thankfully she felt better by show time! :) 

Dislike kisses

Selah got a boo-boo on her hand and so I tried to kiss it. She quickly pulled her hand away and told me not to kiss it. I told her it was my right as a mommy to give her a kiss. She then told me that I can never ever give her a kiss again. I can only kiss Jesus and Havana, Jonah, Asa, and Hezekiah... But not her. Then she said, "I don't like kisses they are so wet!"  Hahaha. 

Selah is a spunky one who recently told me my belly was so big I must have two babies in there! 

She's also the one who is always eager to say it is a good thing she obeys when I'm correcting another child. Ov vey! 

Great Questions

Havana always asks really great questions during family Bible story. Her questions usually imply that she has really been thinking about the story. For example tonight we read the story about when Peter denies Jesus. Havana's two questions were:

1. Is Peter really disobeying/lying when he denied Jesus three times since Jesus told him he would. Wouldn't that be obeying Jesus?! 

2. Why would Peter deny Jesus if he said he wouldn't?! Why do something you just said you wouldn't. 

I'm so proud of her heart, her mind, and her questions! 

5th birthday letter

Dear Jonah! 

I cannot believe you are five! It is such a cliche, but it is very true that it feels like just yesterday you were born! 

I am so proud of the boy you are becoming! You are funny and take lots of pride in bringing everyone to laughter. You seem to be in your element when you are the center of attention and you are doing silly things! I often find myself correcting you and telling you to "control your energies" but at the same time I am trying to remember that being funny is important to you. I just hope you can learn. To real it in when necessary. :). 

You've thrived this year. It's been fun to watch you be the oldest on the days Havana goes to school. You also have become very interested in school: what it means to go to school and important information such as your letters and numbers. You can count to one hundred and you know most of the letters and the sounds they make. 

Your daddy and I have gone back and forth on what to do about school for you next year. We can argue a case for why should go to Kindergarten next year and also for why we should wait until you are six. We have prayed and discussed, and have not felt a clear answer. I recently thought that perhaps it is because I'm not trusting God to take care of you. I feel like it is my job to keep you safe and make the best decision for you when really, I need to trust God to take care of you  whether we send you or wait. So, as we move forward, I am praying that God will prepare your heart for whatever the future holds for you. 

This past year you have continued with Karate! You are now an orange belt and and just this past week you were the only kid in the class still standing at attention at the end of the 30-second challenge. I am so proud of you. For the last testing cycle you were supposed to teach the class you loved to do the right forearm block! You also had trouble saying "ax kick"  which sounded a little like... Well, you can figure it out. :) 

Speaking. of speech, you have a funny way of taking. You mix up some of your letters. For example, "marshmallow" is "smarshmallow" and "poor unfortunate soul" is "for unportiante souls". 

You're favorite song right now is "you are the only king forever" which you love to scream it at the top of your lungs and play the drums and sing into a pretend microphone. We love watching you praise Jesus and I often wonder if that will be His calling in your life. 

You're very kind to your siblings often running to get them ice packs or their favorite toy if they are crying. You often talk about when you are going to be a daddy and I want you to know that I know you will be an excellent daddy some day! :) 

You still love David and Goliath.. Which makes me so happy to know how Much you love God's word. You also love Jospeh, Daniel, and Jonah... So I always pray that you to know that God created you to be a hero too! 

For your birthday, you asked for a David and Goliath theme. We acted out the scene and you enjoyed it. For our date, we went to CHuck-E-Cheese, toys R us, and Chick-fil-a where you told a girl you could help her up the slide because you are five now! :) 

This year you were a ring bearer, watched the Incredibles and loved being dash. You are into super heroes and coloring and Legos! You still enjoy fire tucks and trains from time to time! :) 

I'm so proud of you, Jonah. I love you. You delight my heart and are such a special person. God has a purpose for you! Don't forget that.. I'm excited to watch him work in you and use you!

Love you! 

Mommy! 

Easter and Christmas Photos

I don't think I ever posted Christmas Family photos... so here they are:

And now here are some shots we took last week on Easter... 

Dear Asa

Well, today is April 10th, which means you turned two a few months ago. I am sorry I am late in your birthday letter. I think part of my delay is simply not knowing what to write. What do I say to a little toddler who has captured my heart? Your boyish nature and fun-loving demeanor make you a complete joy. Your curls... oh your curls... and your smile. I love everything about being your mother.

During this past year you learned how to walk (last April) and went on a vacation to Disney World. You transitioned from a bottle to a sippy cup to now a big boy cup. You left behind your booster seat and you sit in a chair like everyone else. Truly, you've grown up so much. You also became a big brother... which I was very worried about as you were never very nice or welcoming to other babies that came over to play. With Hezekiah, however, you have become very smitten. From day one you are always giving him your toys and running over and giving him kisses. I firmly believe God gave you a heart for him and it is so sweet to watch.

You had quite the love affair with your pacifier (which you call "boppish") and we had to cut you from it cold turkey just a couple of weeks ago. It was heartbreaking to hear you scream for it, but after three nights, you were fine! It was getting out of hand because you would sneak it out of your bed and then cover your mouth with a toy so that I wouldn't see you with it. Funny, sneaky, little one.

It was kind of keeping you from exploring your words, but now that it is gone you are really trying hard to communicate. You came up with a nickname for Selah, "Say-Whale-Lee" and we've all kind of adopted it although she isn't a big fan of it. You refuse to be left behind and I love that about you. :)

I cut your hair the other night too! It was getting so long and everyone was thinking you were a girl. I hated doing it, but then a babysitter told me that she said, "I like your hair cut, Asa." And you said, "Yeah, mama did it." So, now I'm glad that we have that special bond.

You're really good at saying "cop it" (for stop it) when I'm singing or giving you too many kisses. You also are funny when you push my face away and say, "go away" when I'm smothering you. It's hard not to kiss you too much. You're such a cool boy. The other day it was just you and me down in the basement and we played in the tent and with the trains and every game was initiated and thought up by you. You are the only 2 year old who can play hide-n-go-seek with perfection. :)

I'm looking forward to what this year has in store for you! I love you, big boy!

Mommy.