39 weeks

from my sister who's due on Sunday - every mother's been there, lol

Anna's 9th birthday letter

Wild, wild sunflower child Anna,

You make me happy. You are sunshine and you are thunderstorm. You are giddy and you are silly. Your sense of humor has developed and I'm beginning to wonder if you might not be destined for a career in stand-up comedy. You can seriously get on a roll!

Your heart has softened so much this year. So much less of the stubborn and so much more of the sweet. You say that you got saved this year at the patriotic concert at Gran's church. I don't know exactly when God changed your heart to flesh, whether then or when you first told me that you belonged to him many years ago, but I do know that He has definitely begun a good work in you, and I so love to watch His work in you progress toward that day of completion!

You learned to ride your bike all in one day. A nasty fall almost made you quit. But you're no quitter. You want to ride the best, climb the highest, and get the answers fastest. I love your sense of adventure and your competitive streak.

You've become quite crafty. Crocheting, knitting on your loom, sewing your own Barbie clothes, and always a creative artist. I want to do more needlework with you this year. It's going to be awesome.

Dolls are big this year. Your own first American Girl doll! Bought from a nice lady on Craigslist with your own money. Felicity has been a good friend. And today, the long awaited Hearts for hearts doll, Consuela. I'm going to be very sad when you're too old for dolls, but for this year, I think I'm safe.

Your woodland fairy party was wonderful. I love how you have very specific opinions and ideas when you're asked about things. I make myself crazy sometimes for asking, but you are so thrilled when your visions come to life. The best part of the party, though, was seeing you with all of your sweet friends. You've always been such a people person, and I'm glad that these special little girls value you as much as you value them. I look forward to lots more girl parties and lots more girlfriend time.

You are so thoughtful. You like to make surprises for people. I loved all of the little surprises that you made for my birthday. You want to help people feel better. I love your empathy.

You don't like to be too girly. You like to consider yourself a tomboy. But you love a new skirt or dress - just as long as it's comfy. And you do have a deep appreciation for a real haircut. You were so excited to cut off your long hair to a more medium long length. And it really does look great. We're long overdue. I'll take you with me soon. Promise. Oh, but one more thing. Keep your earrings in! If you read this again, and you're fifteen, and your holes have closed, and you're not happy because you want them now and have to be re-pierced, this is my proof that I TOLD YOU SO. Soooo, Anna girl, put in plain little earrings, if you must, but leave them in.

You are an amazing auditory leaner - and what a memory! You can give me back all sorts of detailed information from lessons I read to you (even from days before!), and you can answer all the questions Ethan misses. And you've pretty much caught up with his Scripture memory stride. You're doing great with that this year! Just no monotone. Let the meaning sink into you. Because this will be the most important thing you remember. I want you to memorize as many verses as your mind can hold. You've just about got Philippians in the bag. Can't wait to see what we'll learn next.

The piano. Don't know what lit the spark again. Maybe that competitive streak not wanting Rosie to pass you by. But either way, let's not let it die. I want to figure out how to use your ability to learn by ear to your advantage, but in the meantime, keep practicing! Let's get out of the kiddie books and into the real stuff. Be my pianist. You can do this. Then maybe we'll get to that violin...

Be nice to your sister. You broke her heart by not inviting her to your big girl friend party. But I'm pretty sure she'll forgive you. You've been friends for a long time. She'll be your friend when you're a mommy. She'll probably even babysit your kids. I bet you'll talk on the phone, or facebook, or whatever there is then, all the time. So try to forgive her for being so annoying sometimes. I know how much you love being Ethan's sidekick and how easy you find it to love cute little Bella no matter what trouble she causes. So try to remember how lovely it can be to have a Rosie girlfriend that you can share a room with, and holidays, and vacations, and maybe even your barrettes... One day you'll know I speak the truth. Listen to your mother. "For they will be a gracious ornament on your head and chains about your neck" - remember that?

Sweet Anna girl, I could write about you forever. You are precious to me. I love you. I value you. I enjoy you. I am so very glad that you're mine.

Loving you lots and lots,
Mommy

Sneaky

Anna Kate, whose birthday is April 1, just handed me a paper, saying, "these are my fears". It reads as follows:

fires

that my mom wont Get my Doll on time for my Birthday

that I'll have a Bad jream

*****

Think she wants me to order her birthday present soon?

My beloved

He fell asleep tonight on the couch in my arms. Didn't want to leave to go to bed. I'm so thankful for this sweet man. I turned on my "Beautiful" YouTube playlist and the music fed my soul. And life was beautiful. There are moments in life when you once again realize that you have everything you've ever wanted.

Christmas update

How the Grinch Stole Christmas + green Grinch (mint) chocolate chip cookies + Grinch (green sherbet) punch = a fun Christmas family night. I gave up on the guy that was supposed to be selling me Ethan's gift on Craigslist and, thank you, Jesus! found an even better deal - Kodak Easyshare + case+ SD card for $20 - in pristine condition. I'm gonna have a happy boy. Oh, and a first attempt at sock buns for the girls - they're hoping for beautiful curls in the morning, but either way, they look so cute. And tomorrow morning is Polar Express morning. Big breakfast with my best friend and her family and then the movie with cocoa and popcorn - and, of course, a jingle bell craft! It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here!

My Bella

Last night she looked at me and said, "You are Pooh and I am Tigger." I admit it took me a minute to decipher what she was saying, I've been hearing a lot about Deepin' Duty and other princesses lately, so I wasn't following, but when I got it she then added that Gran was Piglet. When Pa walked into the room he volunteered to be Eeyore, but she picked up her nearby Winnie the Pooh book, flipped through it, then pointing to Rabbit, declared that to be Pa's new character. She hopped a good bit and had lots of carroty interactions with Rabbit too.

Today I was asking the kids what they wanted for lunch. Did they want turkey? Anna said, "I'm sick of turkey." Ethan added, "I don't really like turkey." (Really??) Rose, "No, I want peanut butter and jelly." And the whole time Bella is loudly declaring, "I like turkey. I like turkey!" Just in case you're wondering, we had arugula, green leaf salad with Chicken. And she didn't eat it. She did attempt to pick out some of the cheese and chicken :)

She can be a picky eater, but she still drinks copious amounts of chocolate milk. She also likes tea, her second choice beverage, as well as apple juice. She's also starting to eat sticky things, which she previously often avoided because she hates to have messy fingers. Now she eats them more often she just has to have her hands washed frequently while doing so. Apples are a new passion as well. She's been eating at least one a day lately - one day it was three! Every time I turned around she was eating another one!

She loves characters, still plays with her little plastic Lilo a lot, along with the doll house family, Little Peoples characters, her Mega Bloks princesses, and even Polly Pockets and Barbies. She even wore her first couple of princess dresses and watched Cinderella in the past couple of weeks.

Bella is such a cuddler. She is full of energy and often doesn't sit still when I need her to, but I love that she still loves to snuggle. She also still loves to sing. I just taught her "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah". I just had to hear her say that word. So cute. I really do think she may have perfect pitch.

And Bella Gracie is still a big helper. A couple of nights ago she "helped" Brian take apart her toddler bed for storage. She said to me, "Look at me, Mommy, I helpin' Daddy." I had to take her picture, so as she helped Brian carry one side of the frame down the hall (she was holding her end up!) she said, "Take a picture, Mommy!" And I had to take one of her carrying the headboard too.

I love that she's talking more and more. Finally. Her sweet little "you welcome"s and "I love you, too"s make my day.

Will Work For Food

What do you do when you see someone holding that sign?

My daddy, a preacher, always offered to buy them something to eat, sharing the gospel while they ate, if they accepted. I remember standing in a San Antonio square on vacation with my mom and six younger siblings one time while he carried this out. He also picked up hitchhikers when he was alone. To him the captive audience was more than worth the risk.

But what about me, a mom in a minivan?

Usually we have bottled water in the van to offer from the window. We've also gone through a drive-thru to come back with food. It never feels like enough. I always feel unprepared.

Now I know that it could be a racket. That they could be a criminal. But what if they aren't? What if they just have no where to go and no one who loves them? Either way, don't they just need Jesus?

I saw a woman with a sign today. I didn't see her until I was passing her. She was facing the other way. The kids didn't see her, they would have insisted that I help. I wanted to help. But I was supposed to be at choir rehearsal soon and didn't have much to offer. I wished I could really get out of the car and find out what her story was and really help her. Would that be safe? Are we always called to do what's safe?

This idea is at least a step in the right direction. Blessings bags pre-filled with food and toiletries. Kept in the car for such a time as this. And I'm going to be sure to include the gospel as well. Because even if I can't find out everything that they need, I can give them what they need most of all.

^{Matthew 5:42} Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.