Fullness of Joy!: May 2013

The kids were all sick for Emily's birthday party, but we still celebrated as a family. We were sad their friends couldn't come, but Papa and Nana still braved our "sick" house!

Dear Sweet Emily,

Our baby is growing up! You are two now. I feel like it was just a little while ago that I held you in my arms for the very first time. I was so ready to have you after having a very painful pregnancy. The moment I laid eyes on you I knew the nine months were worth it all. I wasn't sure how we were going to make it with a newborn, one year old, and two year old. But through God's grace here we are! You weren't in our plan, but you were definitely in God's plan. I am so glad God gave us you! The world would just not be right without your curls, giggles, smiles, and the comical way you speak!

As a newborn you were cranky, and just not the laid back baby I was used to having! But you outgrew that at one, and have become the adorable and sweet Em that we know now. You have a personality all your own, and we love it!

You are feisty and comical. Even though you are the third of three you have made it quite clear that you will not be a follower! You have an interesting way of looking at someone as if to assess them. You don't always shy away from people, but you aren't ready to just give your love out to any one new either!! You are my brave Emily. I love your personality for the very reason that it is so opposite my own.

You are very expressive with your face, and you love making funny smiles that make me laugh. Most of the time you are funny, and you don't even try to be. That just makes you more funny! You can make your Dad and I smile at each other even when we are utterly exhausted!--There is just something about the way you express yourself that tickles our funny bone. You are so unaware of yourself, so innocent, and SO determined!

You have a rusty voice that makes anything you say sound cute!

You love to sing! And oh how I love to hear that sweet voice try to follow mine as I sing songs.

You LOVE the ipad! At one years old you were a whiz at ipad puzzle games.--I sat and watched you in amazement!!! You have only gotten better. You choose the app you want, and you know how to play it. Lately you love an alphabet app that sings the "ABC" song and shows the letter on the screen. It is precious hearing you try to sing along with it!!

You also love to be read to. Your favorite book right now is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Sometimes we read it three times in a row, and you still look amazed at the butterfly at the end :0)

You sleep in very late in the morning!!!--I don't think I can give this enough exclamation points! God knew this tired Mommy needed that.

You get up with a smile!--Wow! I love that smile!! I love walking into your room with my smile just waiting to be received by one of yours. So special!

You are a VERY picky eater.--What can I say? I guess all I can say is that I REALLY hope that by the time you read this someday your selection of food will have improved! If it hasn't then I will have failed at helping you, and you will probably be one extremely, unhealthy girl :0)

You do appreciate the food. You eat like a champion eater when you like the food! For some reason you stuff your mouth as if the food on your plate is going to disappear. If you like the food it is not uncommon that you will out eat both your brother and sister. What is even more funny is when your brother and sister will give you the food that they can not finish, and you yours and theirs!

Bedtime is not your favorite, but you do seem to go down fairly easy as long as you have your fan on, your choice of the stuffed animals, and a sippy cup of water to hold. You cuddle up on your tummy, and love it when I tuck the blanket in around you.

People you love--There is a pretty good list now. You have always been choosy about who can hold you, but you are starting to open up more. For a long time your favorites have been Daddy, Pastor, Papa, and Mr. Degeer. I see a little bit of a trend here!--So I guess "men" are of your choosing, but you make room for Nana and I too ;0)

Daddy's girl through and through. I don't mind a bit that you adore your Daddy because I think he is pretty great too! Madison always wants Mommy so it is special to Daddy that you ask for him. You love to cuddle up to him, and he loves to hold you too!

I know I could go on and on, but this Mom needs some sleep.

I love you, Peanut. I pray that you will accept Jesus Christ at a young age. I pray that you will have a burning desire to be a light for Jesus in this dark world. I pray that you will keep your heart pure, and that God will protect you and keep you safe. I love you sweet baby of mine.

Happy 2nd Birthday! xoxo

Mommy

Reading Emily's favorite book at her birthday party!--"The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

Emily definitely had willing helpers to open presents.

Emily was sick and sleepy by present time. She still had a smile for the bubbles though.

She liked her new coat for this coming winter.

our monkey

The party is over, and this how I find Ethan ;0)

Great picture of Daddy. I guess the b-day girl was tired of getting pictures taken!

This picture could win an award! I laugh just looking at this ;0) You can see why the kids love their Papa. Goofy, goofy!

Emily's theme for the party was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". I thought it would be fun to do the food that is in the book, but when everyone ended up sick we just decided to stick with hotdogs and mac n cheese.--Emily loved it, and that is all that counts!