Heard around the House {October Edition}

• "What is that smell? Did an Amish girl use to take ballet?" -Eden; the wonderful aromas of farm country were filling the air outside the ballet studio.
• "Sick and tired." -Jada; her response when Eden asked her how her butterfly picture looked. 
• "Mommy, in Sunday school we are learning about Honor. That was not showing honor." -Eden; her response to the 'sick and tired' comment.

Happy Birthday, Jada

Dear Jada,

What a year this has been for you! As I look back over the past 12 months, I’m very proud of the way you have overcome what life has thrown your way. You started the year as the baby of the family and ended it as a middle child. I wish I could say this transition was seamless, but it wasn’t. We had our ups and downs, and you proved to me that "middle child problems" aren't just something the middle children make up, they are real and they are tough… but in the end you have proven to be an even stronger little girl than you were before! You’ve mastered the role of big sister – that can be proven by the big smiles you get from Kate every time you enter a room. You get more hugs and kisses from her than anyone else does in this family! And an even bigger challenge for you in the past year was sending your big sister off to Kindergarten. For the first time in your life, you have had to face your days without Eden by your side. That was so hard for you, and it has taken several weeks for you to adjust to your “new” daytime. But you are loving it now. You still miss Eden when she is gone, but you are also having a great time with Kate while she is at school. The coolest part about this change is that you and Eden miss each other so much during the day that it makes the time you get to spend with each other in the evenings so much more meaningful… and that shows in the way you play with each other and talk with each other.

If I were asked to describe you using just one word, I would choose PASSIONATE. Your passion shows in your strong-willed, independent nature. Passion drives you to do things right and to do them yourself, the way YOU want to do them…. not how someone else tells you to do them. Passion also shows in the way you care for other people. You care deeply for others and you want the best for them. You make your feelings and opinions known (well known!), but in the end, if you are given ample opportunity to process everyone’s feelings and opinions, you will put others’ above your own.

Your love for music has been taken to a new level. In fact,when you grow up, you want to be a rockstar! It is fun to see you dance to music and to recognize and sing along with songs you know or have heard before.

Your favorite person outside of our family is Olivia. Nearly everything you do can be related back to Olivia: “I’m crazy just like Olivia.” “My hair looks like Olivia.” “I can run faster than Olivia.” “I miss Olivia.” “Is Olivia going to be there?” “Eden let’s play. My name is Olivia. Who are you going to be?”  (I don’t blame you, Olivia is pretty fun!)

You love to play pretend. You will pretend ANYTHING! And I love your imagination…it takes you places I have never even dreamed of going!

You are a big helper and often offer to help me do chores around the house. You always refer to yourself as Cinderella when you are doing these things. It kind of makes me feel bad, until I realize you are the one that offered to help and YOU are then one calling yourself Cinderella and you are loving what you are doing. So, keep it up, Cinderella!

Jada, I can’t believe you are 4. You are an awesome little girl and I love to watch you grow and change and learn. I miss you being my baby, but you are an amazing girl and I can’t wait to see the new changes life will bring your way in the next year. Take it on with the same determination you have shown up to this point. Your strength and attitude passion will serve you well as you grow. But don’t forget to sprinkle it all with grace, patience, and compassion!

Love you, sweet Jada! Happy Birthday!!

Love,

Mommy

This is my favorite emergency.

I went downstairs to do some laundry. I left Jada and Kate upstairs and closed the gate behind me. After about 2 minutes the following happens...
Jada: "Mommy! Mommy!
Me: "Coming, J."
J: "Mommy, please come now! I need you to open this and let me down now!!"
M: [now a bit concerned, running to the stairs] "What is it, babe?"
J: "I need to tell you something."
M: "Tell me, what is it??"
J: [whispering] "I love you sooo much. And I will always be your hun."

(Seriously, I'm tearing up just writing about it!! I love that kid!)

{Heard Around the House} September Edition

• "I saved the day!" -Eden; she stopped Kate from crawling off the couch.
• "There are too many great shoes to choose from!" -Eden; sitting in her closet in a puddle of tears, trying to figure out which shoes to wear. And, it starts....
• "2 plus 3 is 5!" -Jada; not quite sure where she learned this, but it made her mama proud! 
• "I want a new house. I'm tired of this one." -Jada; yes, she was talking about our real house... the one we live in.
• "Holla!!" -Kate
• "One time, when I was home with daddy, I pooped and it made a crack in my butt." -Jada; not sure if she came up with this on her own or if it's an idea that Daddy gave her...

my kids..... i love them....

Kate Elizabeth - 9 months old

Eden Elaine - 5 years

Jada Elyse - 4 years

She really is this sweet (when she's not being mischevious!)

This one is getting too old, too fast!

This face doesn't even come close to expressing how upset she was about this photo shoot!!

Best Friends Forever...

{Heard around the House} August Edition

• "Miss Wanda used to be Amish, but she's human now." -Eden
• "But you definitely don't need to tell me about the starving children!" - Eden; she was whining because she was hungry, I told her she would make it the next couple minutes until dinner was served, she came back with this. sounds like i've gotten my point across...
• "he's got skillz..." -Jada; referring to Naaman, when she was telling me what they learned in Sunday School. Thanks, Tiff! ;-)
• "Ladies and gentlemen! I'm proud to introduce... ME!!" -Jada; maybe someday she won't be so modest.

{heard around the house} July Edition

• "Maybe Cinderella 'hey, mommy'd' too much." -Eden; when I told her I was going to put her to work if she continued to 'hey, mommy' me.
• "Neat!" -Jada; I know, it's just a word, but it sounded hilarious
• "Why does your belly look like that?" " Like what?" "Fat." -Eden; ugh. Brutal honesty. 
• "God is the boss of his plans" -Jada; yes, dear, and he is also the boss of ours!
• "Now that there is a true story!" -Eden; what??!
• "Here's my number, so call me matey." -Jada; Call Me Maybe: Pirate Edition
• "I'm really a struggling child today." -Eden; truly, nothing was going her way.

{heard around the house} May Edition

• "Knock, knock, knock. Penny! Knock, knock, knock. Penny!" -Jada; ahhhh BBT
• "Mommy! We're helping Kate do somersaults!!" -Eden; note to self... the big girls are NOT ready to babysit. (no worries, Kate survived. And i removed her from the dangerous situation.)
• "This is the best lice treatment ever. Because we get to do it together!" -Jada; yeah, it's been a long 6 weeks around here. I'm about to burn down the house...i think that's the only way to  kill those bugs!
• "I'll huff and i'll puff and i'll blow your butt down!" -Jada; unprompted, in the middle of dinner.
• "No more monkeys humping in the bed." -Eden; I don't know what to say... She's her father's daughter??
• "I got skillz...." -Jada; because she used her hair tie to shut the light off. Serious skills.
• "Mommy, when will I be old enough to go to Haiti?" -Eden; I really can't wait to take her!
• "Thank you." -Kate; after I told her how beautiful she is.
• "Mommy, I need to go pee - I have a headache." -Jada

{heard around the house} April Edition

• "Eden, can you please pause this story?" - Jada; Eden was reading to her... Jada needed to step away, but didn't want to miss anything.
• "Mommy, you can't tickle me. Only daddy can tickle me. Daddy is the best tickler in the whole wide world." -Jada 
• "No one can help us except God." -Eden; making her mama proud! 
• "You broke my heart when you made me stand in that corner." -Eden; well, sweet child, you broke my heart when you pushed your sister.
• "Oh, crap! We need money to fit in this party!!" -Jada; i really wish i had a good explanation for this one.....

{heard around the house} March Edition

Welcome to the first post in what I plan to be a monthly update.... things my children say that stop me in my tracks.

• "Why do I have to do EVERYTHING" (spoken with a 13-year-old attitude) -Jada
• "Hey!" -Kate (i promise... she raised her hand to wave and said 'hey'. well, that's sure what it sounded like, anyway.)
• "Train hard! Never give up!!" -Eden
• "Go, daddy, go!!!" -Eden (as Nate floored it to pass another vehicle)
• "My ear batteries stopped working" -Jada (which explains why she's not listening)
• "I have something suitable to wear." -Jada (thank you, Cinderella, for teaching my daughter how to use 'suitable' correctly)
• "Is it Friday yet?" -Eden, sounding completely defeated (no, dear. I know it's exhausting being 5, but today is only Monday)
•  "love you!" -Kate (I'm telling you, this kid is a genius!)
• "I'm the boss of this ship" -Eden
• "lets rock and roll, sister!" -Jada

Where's that pony?

Common sense lessons from Jada...

The girls woke up this morning and instantly panicked. One of the 18,000 my little ponies that they took to bed was MISSING!!
"mommy, we can't find one of Eden's ponies. I TOLD HER TO HANG ON TO THAT LITTLE GUY!"
After hours (ok.....minutes...) of looking, the search was abandoned. We didn't know how that 'little guy' got away, but we were just going to have to wait for him to show himself.
Then Jada decided to take another look. She knew it had to be around there somewhere. Suddenly, i hear shouts of victory! The pony has been found!!
"mommy it was right here! YOU DIDN'T EVEN LOOK THERE!!"
"EDEN, YOU HAVE TO JUST OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK."
What would we do...where would we be...without her 3 year old wisdom??

Royalty.

"mommy, I AM A PRINCESS. Just thought I'd let ya know!" -Jada

Llama llama loves her mama

This afternoon as i lay miserable on the couch just trying to catch a minute's worth of comfort, i closed my eyes and tried to shut out the world. After a few minutes, I felt little hands on my knees so i opened my eyes to see what was happening. My sweet Jada brought a blanket to me and was covering me up. Then she went and got a teddy bear for me. And, finally, she snuggled right up next to me and wrapped her little arm around me.
That sweet little girl did not leave my side until i got up from the couch.
I love her heart.

Sweet Jada

Today you turn 3. I have mixed emotions about that.

On one hand, you never seemed ‘2’…. If it’s possible for a 2 year old to be wise beyond her years, you were! There are so many things about you – your speech, your play, your sense of humor, so many of your actions, your love and compassion – that put you up on your sister’s level. And she’s 4.

On the other hand, you are still our little baby in my eyes. Is it possible you've been in our lives for 3 years already?!

At three years old, you are still such a little cuddle-bug… there is nothing better than having you climb into my lap and lean your head on my shoulder just to sit for a moment. We learned early on that your love language is physical touch and I am more than happy to fill that love tank. I can never get enough hugs and kisses and snuggles from you!

A few weeks ago, you told me that 3-year-olds don’t suck their thumbs so you were planning to ‘kick the habit’ when you turned three.  I didn't hold my breath on that one… and it’s a good thing, because over the past week or so, it kind of became more of a joke for you. A laughing point whenever anyone brought it up. And when I mentioned it again this morning (hey… you can’t blame me for trying!) you promptly told me you were still 2. So for now, you will still suck your thumb. And along with that, it doesn't look like you will be giving up the belly button anytime soon either. That’s ok with me… because, really, there is nothing cuter than a little girl sucking her thumb and digging at her belly button while she looks at you with her deep brown eyes that say, “really, mom, I’m just that cute.” We still have 10 years before I need to worry about the orthodontist bills, so I’ll just enjoy that look for now.

Jada, you are my strong-willed child. There is no way we can pretend our way out of that truth. You are so independent. You want to have control. You don’t want to be told what to do. I would be lying if I told you this didn't present any challenges in parenting you. You and I have come head-to-head on several issues that we both want control over. Sometimes I want to let you have that control and other times I want you to realize that you are the toddler and I am the Mommy and you need to listen to me. It has been hard to find balance and compromise, but it is also sometimes humbling to see the way you can grow when I let go and let you be Jada.

If I had to pick one thing life to call your ‘favorite’ right now, it would have to be Eden. You love your sister more than I ever knew was physically possible! Where ever she is, that is where you want to be. Whatever she is doing, that is what you want to do. You also care so much about her. You don’t like to see her hurt or sad and you will often go out of your way to make her feel better… even if that means making sacrifices for yourself.

In a few weeks, you are going to switch roles. You are going to move from ‘little sister’ to ‘big sister’. There is no doubt in my mind that you will take the responsibility of big sister very seriously. You already take every opportunity you can to talk to your baby sister and love on Mommy’s belly. You tell her you love her every chance you get and you have prayed for her every night for the last seven months. This little baby is so very blessed to have you in her life!!

Jada, I am so grateful for the joy you have brought to our family! For the laughs, the loves, and the challenges. You are such a blessing and I am so grateful for the opportunity we have been given to be your earthly parents…. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings us. There is no doubt in my mind, whatever it is, you will make it interesting!! J

Love you forever,

Mommy

those three little words...

well, it's official... i'm pretty sure there is nothing better for a mother than to hear an unsolicited 'i love you' from your children.
twice this week, jada has looked at me so sweetly and simply said, "i love you, mommy." 
ahh... just what i needed!

tinkerbell or minnie mouse?

so, I just asked eden the following question:
"if you could be tinkerbell or minnie mouse, who would you rather be?"
her answer warmed my heart. "umm, neither one. i just want to be eden."
i hope she never loses that feeling!
then, there's jada... from the other room:
"i wanna be tinkerbell!!!!"
"why do you want to be tinkerbell??
"because i want to wear the minnie mouse dress."

hmmm... we can't all hit a home run everyday. :)

milestones.

When Eden was 8 weeks old, she slept through the night for the very first time. I remember how excited I was that following morning. I felt refreshed and ready to face the world. I was also very excited because I was preparing to re-enter the working world and I couldn't fathom doing that without a full night's sleep.
Jada is now 127 weeks old. 2 nights ago, she slept through the night. 10 hours. 10 glorious, quiet, restful hours. That feeling I had 8 weeks after Eden was born?? Multiply that times 16. That's how overjoyed I was yesterday morning.
I can't wait until she does this every night. but until then, I am grateful. I will never (ever, ever) take a full night's sleep for granted again.