Now You're Four!

Dear Nora,

Happy birthday, sweet Nora! We celebrated this morning at the splash pad with your friends and now you are taking a good nap upstairs. This was actually your 3rd celebration, following a family party over the weekend and cupcakes at preschool a few weeks ago. You were sick this weekend with a fever and cough, but were still happy to be with your grandparents, eat your cake with pink frosting and sprinkles, and open your presents. I sound like Honey, but I have to say I can't believe my baby is 4! You are the cutest little 4 year old and I love being your mommy. I've been making a few notes of the cute things you say and do these days.

You will often ask me about a toy, "Can I keep it forever?" or tell me when you give me something, "You can keep it forever." Unfortunately, you will say this to Luke about toys you are sharing with him, and we have to explain to him that he can't really keep it forever, but needs to give it back to you. You really are very generous though! You often will easily share your favorite toys with Luke and always let me have some of your french fries. :)

You say "undiewear," which is really cute. Starting this Friday we are formally removing all pull-ups, and I told you we can get you some Cinderella undiewear when you fully make the transition.

When you are really excited about something, you will say "I've never" or "I didn't know," like, "I've never had my nails painted before" or "I didn't know we were having pizza for lunch."

You refer to any events in the past as having taken place "yesterday." You used to say "pack pack", but I noticed you saying it the right way yesterday! I also like when you say "bes" and "dos" for "is" and does."

Your preschool teacher, Ms. Leigh, says "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit," which I find fitting to use at home now, too. I like your version, which is "You get and you get..."

One of my favorite things these days is hearing you sing worship songs in the car, along with the radio. Sometimes I will think about changing the station if it's a song that is played a lot, but then I will hear your little voice singing right along with the music and leave it where it is.

I sure love you, Nora, and I am looking forward to a fun summer with you!

Love,
Mommy

Mothers Day Tea

Dear Nora,

We had a special date today for your Mothers Day tea! I painted your fingernails AND toenails a "pinky red" as you call it, and you were just delighted. You said your teachers would be so happy to see that your nails were painted. When you pray you will often say, "thank you that my nails are painted." And if they're not painted, you will say, "thank you that my nails are not painted." Daddy says you're giving thanks in all circumstances!

Your teacher told me today that it's amazing to see how different you and Luke are. When Luke was in the 3s class he was very quiet and wouldn't speak to a group, but she said you are very interactive and jump right in with your Spanish songs! Your gymnastics teacher also told me last week, "As always, she's my best listener." You have become nervous of the bars at gymnastics, but have demonstrated more confidence the last couple weeks and even played on the bars some. At the dentist last week, you started out laying on me, which is how we've done it in the past, but then when the hygienist asked if you could lay by your self for the rest of your cleaning, you did it just fine. You are screaming through your swimming lessons, but your swim instructor says you are making great progress and a quick learner. I'm so proud of you and it's exciting to watch you learn in all these new areas.

Love,
Mommy

In Your Heart

Dear Nora,

On the way to preschool today, out of the blue you said, "I wish Jesus could come to our house." I said he's with us all the time even though we can't see him or touch him, to which you replied, "he's in my heart." I think Jesus must just love hearing these little conversations and I can't help but wonder if He really is already in your heart. You seem to really believe in and love Him already, at just 3 years old, and I think that's wonderful!

Love,
Mommy

Our Final Walk-Through

Dear Luke & Nora,

Last Thursday we took our final walk-through of our first home on Parkman Grove Drive. When Daddy and I moved in 7 years ago, there were only 2 of us, and of course we are now a family of 4! You both had a lot of fun running through the empty house and saying, "where's my bed?" "where's our kitchen table?" We snapped a picture of each of you in your rooms, and Daddy and me in ours, before getting one of the 4 of us together where our table used to be.

I walked through by myself that morning after getting both of you to school, and it was interesting to consider the memories that rose to the surface. Of course the most significant treasures that came to be in that house are the 2 of you. I remember exactly where I told Daddy I was pregnant with each of you. Daddy and I talked about the countless ordinary meals our family of 4 shared around our table and the multiple baths you took in the upstairs bathroom.

The third most potent memory was Daddy's and my first conversation about starting a church, which of course is now Real Hope Community Church. Nora, you were just 1 week old, and we had just put both of you down for a nap after your newborn photography shoot that morning. I think of the years of preparation along with the growing desire to do something of eternal significance with our lives, and marvel that God had this plan all along that we get to participate in.

The word "growth" comes to mind, seeing the size of our tree in the front yard, knowing you both have grown significantly in that house, along with our church. In a less quantifiable way, Daddy and I have grown as well. We hadn't been married quite 6 years when we moved in and now we are almost to 13, acquiring a lot of lessons along the way. As I walked around the empty rooms of our home, the refrain I kept repeating was Psalm 126:3, "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy."

When we got in the car to go, you started to cry pretty hard, Luke. Daddy took you in for another look around and you were surprised to see him get teary, too. It makes me emotional, too, but I also am so thankful for God's goodness to us in that house and for the opportunity that moving has provided for us to reflect on that. 

Love,

Mommy

Life Lately

Dear Nora,

These past few months have been full with our house on the market, holiday celebrations, and preparing to move in just a week and a half! Before things get even crazier with closing on our house, I wanted to take the time to write about some of the highlights we've enjoyed recently.

Your Thanksgiving feast was so much fun. You had been singing the songs for us ahead of time and really performed, without any stage fright at all. You were trying to get the boys next to you to join in, but you carried the song well for all of them! "We love turkey, we love turkey, so glad to eat, so glad to eat..."

You spent hours in this blue dress over the fall. On mornings we spent at home, going for a run or doing laundry, you liked to wear it and twirl around in the loft.

For a special Christmas date, I took you to see the Nutcracker Ballet with a few friends and even painted your nails. You've been talking about how you want to be a ballet dancer and will tell me when we hear The Nutcracker music, "Mommy, this is the ballerina song!"

You got a tricycle for Christmas and are having fun riding around with Luke! Your feet still do not reach the pedals too easily, but I guess that means it will fit you for quite awhile.

While I've been busy packing to prepare for our move, you've had some fun play dates at Avery's house, enjoying all the girl things!

And here you are hiding in the boxes. You don't seem very distressed about the upcoming move, but I also know you don't really understand what's happening. Hopefully the transition will be a smooth one!

I love you, Nora, and love my days with you.

Love,
Mommy