4??!?

Eden Elaine...
You are 4!  Is that possible?? Another year has buzzed by, and you are turning into such wonderful little lady. You are starting to come out of your shell, and it has been so fun to watch you blossom. As you mother, I love the fact that other people are finally able to get a glimpse into the wonderful personality you have been hiding from everyone besides myself, daddy, and Jada.
You still love to read.. as long as you have a book, you really don't need anything else. At bedtime, most kids just want a blankie, or a baby, or a teddy. Not you. You just need a book lots of books.  Sometimes I wonder how you can even find room in your bed for yourself amongst all those books!!!
You still love to dance. It is such a joy to watch all your 'ballerina dances.'
And you sing! Oh, do you sing!! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses this gift in you and through you. And you don't just sing songs you have heard... you  make up songs. Beautiful songs. Yes, some of them are silly and don't make much sense (I like these songs, too!) but the songs you sing about Jesus are so full of heart and worship! You are typically too shy to allow me to record your oh-so-beautiful self on video, but I did manage to catch and record your very first song: July, 2011 - "in my heart, God, in my heart. In my heart, God, in my heart...." The melody was perfect, your pitch was perfect. You have a true talent, little girl.  Your current favorite 'radio' songs are 'Glory to God' by Fee, 'Slow Fade' by Casting Crowns, and 'Where I Belong' by Building 429.  Oh! and let's not forget 'Loddy, Doddy, we likes to Party!" :)
It is also so neat to see your love for Jesus. I know you are only 4, and you don't necessarily understand the fullness of who Jesus is, but you still love Him, and you know that He loves you. You ask God to heal you, you pray for people that are hurting or need help and you are so good at being thankful for what God has provided for you and our family. This truly blesses my heart!
You are a fantastic big sister to Jada. You are so good at caring for her and about her. And she looks up to you so much and loves having you as a big sister. I love to watch this relationship grow and change!
This letter would not be complete without giving a nod to your sensational fashion-sense. You have a way with clothes, girly. You put together outfits the rest of us only wish we could pull off! It will be interesting to see how this passion grows with you.
These are a few of your favorite things: Princesses, rainbows, dresses, chicken nuggets, Grammie, books, singing, dancing, playing dress up, cheerleaders, babies.
I wanted to list a few of your least favorite things, but after much thought, Daddy and I just decided that you are overall a pretty happy, content little girl!!
Thank you for all the joy you bring to our lives every single day. I absolutely adore your independent spirit and I love the way you are just full of love.
Here's to another year of living life with you and watching you grow up way to fast!!
Love you,
Mommy

i think the Buddhists call it Karma...

You know how parents often tell their children, "I hope you have a kid just like you..."  As much as we would like to pretend that our parents are wishing us nothing but well-behaved children, I think we all know what they are actually referring to is the exact opposite. So, here you go, Mom.... MY kid following in MY footsteps:
This is how the story has been told to me. It has been told to me for as long as I can remember. And every time it is told, my parents drive home that fact that it was such an embarrassing moment and I think it is just a cute story...you know, so funny, the way kids can act in public sometimes... -- Approximately 30 years-ish ago, my cousin was going into Voluntary Service and my parents and I attended her "sending-off" service. Apparently this was at a church. A church filled with people we didn't know. And apparently no one else was talking. It was quiet. Very quiet. And then a little girl piped up "But don't you wanna go home??!"  Apparently the little girls parents were embarrassed. Very embarrassed.
Fast forward. February 3, 2012. My little family attended the Northridge basketball game to participate in the fundraiser for Sammy. It was right before the Varsity game, we were surrounded by a room full of people we did not know, and the gym had quieted enough to hear a pin drop as the choir prepared to sing the National Anthem. Enter my normally quiet 3-year-old who has a new obsession with cheerleaders. She looked to her left where the cheerleaders had been and, with a look of panic, exclaimed (at a volume I have certainly never heard her speak before), "Where da cheerleaders??!?!"  I. Was. Mortified.  So, I quickly covered her mouth and whispered into her ear, "Right there, EE. They are right in front of us."
"Oh! I just couldn't see their faces!"

.... so funny, they way kids act in public sometimes....