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.
