So much happens in a few months when you're little...i suppose it happens when you're big too, but having little ones like you helps me stop and savor the details! November brought our annual family Christmas/reunion with the Kopetzkys in Lincoln at Aunt Julie's. Each time we visit Nebraska, you become more and more fond of Grandma Jeanne's brothers and sisters. You still freak out about the Yardleys' little dogs, but I think it's more for dramatic effect than anything at this point! Grandma Jeanne had surgery last month and you had your first real visit to someone in the hospital at KU Med Center. Thankfully, she's fully on the mend now! However, we stayed around for Thanksgiving this year instead of traveling like we usually do. Gpa Carl joined us for dinner and we put up Christmas decorations... You continue to love sharing "firsts" with your brother and his face lights up when you come around. We left him with Daddy, though, for your first visit to the symphony. Grammi, Papa, Kristin Morris and I took you and Izabella to the KC Symphony's Christmas show. You girls looked so cute all dressed up. It was a nice way to welcome the holiday season. We spent a good old-fashioned Christmas at Grandma Seal's in Columbus, making cookies sharing memories and playing games. Santa delivered a Disney Cinderella castle for you -- it was on your list (Daddy thought it was so sweet that your Santa list included "A floaty for Jalen" before you asked for anything for yourself.) We spent a few days with your great grandparents in Des Moines, too. The biggest thing that's happened to you in the last few months was our long-awaited Disneyworld vacation. On December 6th, Daddy, you and I flew to Orlando to meet Grammi and Papa for 2 days at Disneyworld and 3 days on a Disney cruise. For some reason, Florida had a cold spell while we were there and we dressed just like we did back home - sweaters and winter coats! But it didn't bother you one bit. From the moment you saw the real Cinderella castle, your little face lit up like never before. Fortunately, your dad is a video guru and captured many precious moments on film. Each day we woke up and prayed together as a family -- asking God to lead us and help us to enjoy every moment. We were blessed in so many ways -- showing up in just the right place at just the right time. We seemed to wander into parades and shows and character appearances when we didn't have a clue what was going on, as if led by a loving Hand. My favorite was the night of the Christmas parade when we ducked into an eating place to warm up and suddenly a dance party started (you LOVE dance parties) and Chip and Dale showed up. We've never seen you dance so much! The Christmas parade was a special event that Grammi got us passes to and it was spectacular. You were enthralled by all the floats with so many characters. Around the park each day you saw many of the characters from your favorite movies (princesses, Toy Story and good ol' Mickey and friends.) In fact, when we'd see Mickey and Minnie you'd say, "There's Ol' Mick and Ol' Min!" (Undoubtedly, you heard Papa say this at some point...) You loved the rides -- "It's a Small World" was your first ride in the Magic Kingdom. Your Dad, grandparents and I just loved watching you take it all in. We were all in tears (or close!) at various points. The highlight of our time at the park was surely lunch with Cinderella at her castle. We heard a knock on the door of our hotel room one night and there was an invitation (carefully crafted by Grammi) inviting you to a royal lunch at with your favorite princess. You wore your little Cinderella dress and met Cinderella for photos before lunch. She was so sweet and even took extra time with you. Then, you joined many other mini-princesses in the castle for an incredibly delicious lunch topped off by a dessert with all your favorite elements - ice cream, chocolate, sprinkles and marshmallows! We made so many wonderful memories. I'll never forget pushing you around in that almost-too-small-for-you stroller or how you'd put your arms up to beg someone to carry you. None of us minded - we were just delighted to share the experience! Your daddy and I had an acronym that we lived by during our vacation (and we hope to continue at home!) B.H.N. (Be Here Now) It helped us to savor even the ordinary moments - standing in lines, bus rides, etc. The cruise was a whole new world for you - a boat bigger than anything you'd ever seen, our room with a big round window looking out at the ocean and your own little bed to snuggle into(that you absolutely loved), Mickey, Minnie and their friends showing up everywhere, broadway-style shows every night (including Toy Story, the musical!), the kids club where you could go and hang out with other princesses and pirates, all kinds of your favorite foods all day long. You still talk about swimming in Mickey's ear (the boat had a pool shaped like Mickey's head). We sailed to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, for one day and Papa and Daddy persuaded you to go out into the ocean water a little. You just don't like the feel of sand on your feet, but maybe that will change one day! You did love watching everyone - you did a lot of observing on this trip -- just soaking it all in. I pray some of your favorite moments will stay in your heart for always! A couple of fun things about 3 1/2-year-old you: You love putting things to bed - princesses, stuffed animals -- i even walked in one night and found your nativity characters lying on their backs. Guess they have to sleep too! :0) You've heard the phrase "no flash photography" a lot lately, and you like to say it when you are making various announcements. You love to tell stories (which are peppered with the word "like" -- we're wondering where you picked this up!) and you like to sing made-up songs in a very high voice. Prayer has become a part of your young life and it is a delight to year you talk to God in your own way. Just today you could tell I was having a rough time and I heard you quietly asking that He help Mommy to be not so grouchy -- not surprisingly, my day turned around and you were delighted. Tomorrow we'll celebrate the first day of 2011 - I'm sure it will be a year of so much learning and loving for you!

Lovely autumn, delightful You...

Josephine, you are a delight at 3 years old. Constant energy, always wanting to play pretend (where you're the mommy and i'm the daughter, or Daddy's the prince and Jalen is your baby), never wanting to miss a party (you LOVE people - i can just see your little extroverted lightbulb come on when you find out we're having company). You had a blast at our first garage sale and made $2.50 there at your first lemonade stand with your buddy Sarah. People would come to the sale and you'd ask if they were thirsty. You also tried to sell them stuff they didn't need (like a giant box of plastic Easter eggs..) One of my favorite memories of you at 3 will be when I'd drop you off at preschool and you'd wave at me at the window (you do this with Daddy too). There's this window at Little Sprouts that looks out onto the path leading out of the school. Whenever we drop you off, we can see you through the window jumping up and down, waving, flashing "i love you" in sign language with your little fingers. You've become very independent -- insisting on helping to pick out baby brother's clothes and fresh diapers. You always point to my clothes and say, "Mommy, did you wear that to bed?" If I answer, "yes," you rush to my closet to pick out my outfit for the day too...You will often see something during the day that makes you curious and then much later you will bring it up and want to talk about it. It's usually about peoples' feelings. "Why was that lady crying?" or "Why was Nemo's daddy mad at him?" You're still a great eater. I make this new breakfast called "5 M&M oatmeal" -- oatmeal, milk, peanut butter with 5 M&M's hidden in it. You always ask for blue ones. You love it that you and daddy both like the color blue and you and he always play the "blue" game in the car -- pointing out every blue thing you can spot. We got rid of the little potty a few weeks ago and now you're all about the adult toilet and feeling very grown-up. You say when you're an adult you will be able to enjoy coffee, gum and wine (in moderation, as we've discussed several times...) Just this week, you've really picked up on writing your own name -- something we're very proud of. I can't bring myself to throw away ANYTHING that has your precious handwriting on it! There's a keepsake box filling up fast. One day you'll go through it and perhaps some fond memories will return. This weekend is Halloween and you've decided to be a nurse. You became fascinated by nurses during Jalen's baby check-ups. The nurse would leave the room and you'd pick up her clipboard, cross your legs and start asking questions about the baby's diet and sleeping habits. You enjoyed 2 pancake breakfasts in 2 weeks recently -- one at Leavenworth's First City Festival (which Gma and Gpa D help organize each year.) The other was a local festival in Mission where I took you and Jalen early one morning. You were in heaven 'cause you'd eat pancakes and sausage every day if you could! Last week we went to the Husker game in Lincoln and you and Jalen (J-Boy, as you call him) stayed with Aunt Julie and Great Grandma Seal. You had a blast and scored all sorts of fun treats and gifts -- even a cheerleading outfit and your first set of Husker pom-pons! (The Bradfords gave you some KU ones, which are at Grammi and Papa's, so you have your mom's alma mater covered too!) You still love your "sleep-overs" at Grandma Jeanne's and your visits to Marysville, where you spend lots of time outside with Papa. Our long walks with the stroller have ended, so we'll be snuggling in together during these chilly fall evenings. (You still ask almost daily to go to the park though. You just love to swing!) You continue to remind me to savor little everyday things like leaves falling, raindrops, kisses, playing Ariel and Ursula in the bathtub, finding unusual treasures outdoors, and cheering with all your might for football games even when you have no idea what's going on. You're thrilled to have your dad back home more since baseball season ended. You helped Grammi make and decorate a cake celebrating the last game of the season. We're still learning as we go with you. We've never done this parenting thing before, but your Daddy and I continue to ask our loving God for wisdom as we help to guide you through these early years of your life. Your mommy has been a perfectionist for far too long and you and Jalen are sure helping me get over that! We will never be perfect parents, but we will always love and support you as best we know how and we will point you toward your Creator who will be your constant companion throughout your life. We love you, Josephine Francis-Jean! Here's to a fun fall season with our precious 3-year-old girl.

3 Years Young...

Dear Girl,

I don't even know where to start. The last few months you have grown by leaps and bounds in so many ways. Suddenly, you sound so "grown-up" when we have conversations. I catch myself wondering, "Now when did this child grow from a baby into a little girl (who loves to think of herself as a BIG girl!) ?

You love to "chit-chat" (as you call it) and we often do that while riding along in the car. You are SO curious about how things work, about relationships and why people do what they do, how they are feeling, what they need, etc. You still love giving gifts to people and you always have something in your folder at school for Daddy or myself. (Most often a little baggie of freshly ground coffee from Miss Natalie's old fashioned coffee grinder at school - you know what your Mom likes!) Our hearts melt when we find something on the rug by the front door or on our night stands - some little token of love you've likely picked up outside somewhere. You've enjoyed spending nights with both sets of grandparents this summer and we've gone on quite a few excursions. A few weeks ago at Great Grandma Seal's in Columbus, we visited old cemeteries where some of your ancestors were buried. You decided to give tours stopping at various head stones and telling how each person died. It wasn't gruesome at all (usually you said they were shot like the guy in one of your favorite books - Pocohontas) and each story ended happily with the person going to Heaven. The thing that makes everyone laugh is how matter-of-factly you tell your stories. You love to "read" cards from the mail, often launching into an extensive speech about what each one says. We just returned from Colorado where you got to spend time with your Papa's brother, Dick, and his family. You've been enthralled since the day you met Dick's daughter Tami the kindergarten teacher. She painted your finger and toenails for the first time (I couldn't believe you sat still!) You chose the color blue cause that's you and your daddy's favorite. She also taught you songs that you want to sing all the time now. You're definitely testing your boundaries these days -- learning how much you can get away with and finding out that while your mom and dad love you, we are determined not to spoil you. You've also been into debating various topics. It amuses us, but after awhile we have to ignore you. We don't want to raise a "negative nelly"! I still think you could live on pancakes and m&m's, but you're very good about eating the variety of food we offer you (after which, of course, you're promised a "treat" :0) You've become very good at drawing and have done some portraits on your magna-doodle that have made us chuckle. You really love to run, and that makes your Papa smile, of course. Last night I took you and Jalen on a looooong walk to get TCBY and you ran almost the whole way! Today you are hanging out with Grandma Jeanne - having one of your "slumber parties," which involves movies, treats, books and lots of loving attention. When Daddy and I hear your voice on the phone we agree it's the sweetest ever. You're a handful, little one, but in a good way. Surely God has brought you to us to help us grow in so many ways -- patience, purity, letting go, rediscovering the world around us, sharing unconditional love...to name a few.

You're almost 3!

Here's what I'll remember most about when you were almost three: Your little voice saying, "You be Drizella and I'll be Anastasia" (Cinderella's stepsisters). OR, "You be Ariel and I'll be Ursula" (of The Little Mermaid) or some form of prince/princess/fairytale makebelieve. The way you are full of energy from the moment you open your eyes in the morning! How much you're beginning to love school at Little Sprouts (I have a hunch it has to do with socializing.) You've made some good friends there and you all love playing princess and mommy/daughter together. Every day you come home reporting that you picked and ate fresh tomatoes or strawberries and when we pick you up you're so excited to show us what's in your work folder (usually the "letter of the day" with your bright scribbles all over it.) You like to use Miss Natalie's old fashioned coffee grinder to grind coffee for mommy and you proudly bring home baggies of it for me to brew. I think one of your love languages is gift giving as you're always leaving little treats for people. For instance, I came home the other day and found 2 M&M's placed strategically on the door mat and I knew you'd left them there for your dad and I. Mine was green because you know that's my favorite color. You also love to leave special rocks, sticks and leaves for us. You continue to adjust to having baby brother around, always wanting to see him first thing in the morning and share a toy with him. Lately, in our pretend play you've designated him either "Aurora" (Sleeping Beauty) or "Ogre Baby" (Shrek-style). He just smiles and seems to play along. You seem to be really interested in humor lately, often saying silly things and laughing hysterically. Also, you've been using attaching the word "poop" to as many words as you can. You love pretending to have birthday parties and plan surprises. The other day, you told me to come into the bathroom and close my eyes. Then, you lifted the lid of your potty seat and proudly yelled, "SURPRISE!" I'll spare you the details of what I saw. Needless to say, you can get excited about pretty much anything. We've been going to lots of birthday parties lately. I try to plan outings for us on my days off work -- The zoo (a goose bit you during our picnic lunch - you were very brave and we giggled about it later), Deanna Rose Farmstead, Old Shawnee Days parade, park visits, etc. You love going for 'round-the-block walks with Daddy and I in the evenings (you and jalen ride in the double stroller.) In fact, anything you get to do with your Dad is special. He savors his time with you, especially during baseball season. Perhaps your favorite thing lately is to sit in the driver's seat of the car and pretend to be the mommy while i sit in the passenger seat and feed your brother. (I usually play the part of "big sister" but the roles change constantly.) My favorite thing is still dancing with you to Neil Diamond, "Forever in Blue Jeans" in our "twirly dresses." One very special memory was taking you to Marysville for Memorial Day. That's always been a tradition in my family, and I'm so grateful to be able to pass it on to you and baby brother. You're definitely just learning about life - how much to test the boundaries, how to socialize, how much you want to fit in and how much you want to be your own unique self, etc. We savor our moments with you and I pray that you'll take your own sweet time growing up. Each day I have to lay down my desire to "control" what happens in your life and put it all in the hands of our loving God. There are no better hands to be in! We love you, precious girl.

Dear Josephine, springtime and Jalen have arrived...

Dear Josephine -
First of all, I want to say you are an awesome big sister! We’ll never forget your reaction when you met your baby brother for the first time. We had him waiting in his crib (which used to be yours) and when you walked in your eyes lit up and you said, “It’s my baby!!!” Your brother Jalen decided to come into the world on a snowy Sunday morning. I had been up with you most of the night as you were sick. It broke my heart to have to leave you to rush to the hospital, but our wonderful neighbor Gerilyn came quickly to take care of you so Daddy didn’t have to deliver the baby in the car! Then, Grammi and Papa took you to Marysville for a few days so you could get well and be with your baby brother. That’s when they brought you back and you discovered him in the crib. Here’s a pic of your first meeting. Even though we have a newborn in the house, we’ve gotten to do so many fun things this spring! We’ve spent some really fun times in Marysville making our own fun. You love to hang out at Orschelin (formerly Wheeler’s when I was little!) to check out the chicks and ducks they sell and pretend to drive the lawn mowers. Papa takes you to the park and lets you help him feed the birds, which you absolutely love. Grammi delights in watching you guys out the window, hand-in-hand, taking care of Papa’s feathered friends. You still treasure your special “Marysville toys” and Papa lays them all out by the fireplace before we arrive. Of course, your special treat there is watching Cinderella, which your grandparents can now quote word for word! Your great gram recently moved into the nursing home and we’ve made several visits for you to pass out stickers to the residents and even dyed Easter eggs with great gram! We also visited Leavenworth to stay with Grandpa Carl & Grandma Jeanne, who have helped Mommy out SOOO much! They always have new treasures for you and a whole library of Disney movies! You and I and baby Jalen visited Des Moines with Gpa Carl to see your Great Grandparents and the Kellers a few weeks ago. Great Grandma Marge read books to you and you entertained us all with your “lessons” on the Resurrection Eggs we bought at Hobby Lobby. You also recited Psalm 91 for us, which was a special blessing for GG Marge. Other events have included visits to Crown Center to see the Fairy Tale Village, numerous playdates with cousins and friends, a special Disney on Ice date with Daddy and I and our special family icecream dates that we all love so much! Lets see, what else? You’re into “reading” any book you can get your hands on. You love to take center stage and pretend to read each page in a loud voice. Your reading consists of snippets of all the books you can remember and it makes us all smile. Right now, you’re into Bearenstain Bears books. Grandma Jeanne gave you a whole collection from when Uncle Alex was little. What a treasure! You ask more and more questions about God and it’s really good for me! It makes me think about what we believe and why we believe it. It reminds me that we are all little children learning something new every day. You continue to have a sweet spirit, a definite flair for the dramatic, an earnest desire to help others, and a growing awareness of people in need. You insisted that we pass out hand warmers to the “Tax Time” guy that stands on Roe Ave. every day because we thought he might be homeless and it was cold out. You love to sing in a high pitched voice, especially in church. Your special song with Daddy is an 80’s hair band song – I’ll Never Let You Go. He sang it to you when you were in my tummy. It’s so sweet to hear you sing it.
There’s so much more to say but I’ll have to close for now. Lately, I’ve had that Steven Curtis Chapman song in my mind – “Cinderella.” It could’ve been written for you! Makes me cry every time. Even though our patience is sometimes short because of lack of sleep with a newborn around, we hope to savor each moment together. It is so sweet how you say Jalen's name. Mostly you call him "baby brother." You are very protective of him, too! We love experiencing each day with you, sweet girl!

Happy 2010, Sweet Girl!

Dear Josephine,

This will probably be the last note I leave for you before your baby brother appears on the scene. He's due to show up February 26th, but it could be any day. You've been so excited to tell people about how you're going to be a big sister in February. You're always talking to "Baby Brother" (that's what you think his name is) through my belly. You love to include him in our conversations, sing to him, ask his opinion on things, etc. In fact, you've been singing this made up version of Jesus Loves Me for him. Kind of a make-it-up-as-you-go song that's different every time. You look very intense as you sing it. It makes me smile. You're definitely potty trained and so proud of that. It happened on our trip to Utah over Christmas. We had a great time visiting Uncle Simon, Aunt Cydni and their dogs Madison, Juan and Larry. January and early February have been filled with everyday things -- learning more each day at Little Sprouts with Miss Natalie, Mr. David and Miss Laverne, the greatest teachers ever! (when I pick you up, you always ask "Mommy, how was your day at Hallmark?") New Years Eve with the Poloncheks, playdates with the Frankos and Morrises, Logan and baby Dorothy Vanecek (you LOVE little babies and always want to "pet" them), evening get-togethers with other families, a few trips to the Matt Ross community center play room, and a trip to Marysville where you stayed with Gammi and Papa while Mom and Dad got some much needed R&R. We've been renovating our attic and you love to guess which worker you hear each day upstairs. (Is it "Austin the electrician? Shawn the plumber? Craig the carpenter?") You call them all "the mens" who work upstairs. You're always sweet-talking daddy into taking you up there when he gives tours to our friends. Oh, I mustn't forget you saw your first movie with Brooky, your favorite neighbor. It was "Princess and the Frog." You were mesmerized from the moment we walked into the theater and you saw the giant screen. There were some scary parts, but daddy held you and you were brave. We all ate popcorn and junior mints and had a fun time.  Speaking of princesses, you are still absolutely enthralled with playing the princess role (which mainly means twirling around in a dress and feeling "lovely"). Your daddy reminds you every day how very beautiful you are both inside and out. I know this special love from your daddy is a gift that you'll carry the rest of your life and I wish every child could know that kind of love. The other day you said the sweetest thing: "Mommy, God made me beautiful!" It just melted my heart and I wanted to remember it forever. Well, Mommy is feeling really sentimental these days about you not being her only little one anymore. I know it's going to take some adjusting for both of us, but we'll make a great family of four! I think you're going to be such a helpful big sister and I've been praying that even with a little brother in the house, you'll still know how very special you are to your dad and I. You are our first-born -- the one who has reminded us that the world is full of everyday wonders. What a precious gift you are, precious girl!