Growing, Wondering, Learning, Loving

It's so much fun watching you grow and change, Josephine -- you're always discovering something new, asking questions, wanting to talk about feelings, wondering about people. Often you'll be off playing and I don't realize how deep in thought you are. Suddenly you'll stop and ask me a deep question I can tell you've been pondering for a long time. You're quite sensitive (Grammi says you get that from me!) The other night you were crying big crocodile tears in your bed and when I asked why, you said, "Because I'm afraid of bedbugs and because Lamby (your favorite stuffed animal) lost his smile." We rescued Lamby and Grammi thankfully sewed back on. (You still tear up when you think about it though!) You also came up with the idea to hang a "No Bedbugs Allowed" sign on our door. You love to dance to Johnny Cash music - especially "Get a Rhythm" and "Boy Named Sue." Your favorite radio station is KLOVE and you love the songs "Light Up the Sky" and "You Never Let Go." Whenever you hear one of them, you get so excited and often we jump on the bed while listening to them on youtube. They're both about God's never-ending love for us, which I'm so happy you're absorbing at such a young age. You like to sing us songs-- making them up as you go--and hearing your little singing voice is the sweetest thing. (Almost as wonderful as hearing your laughter!) Your daddy can make you laugh like no one else, by the way. You're feeling very "grown-up" these days in your own way and sometimes you use a really "mature," low voice to let us know that. (However, we're doing everything we can to help you savor every moment of childhood and not grow up too fast!) One expression I'll always remember from you is, "What in the WORLD are you talkin' about?"You continue to love helping with Jalen -- you two have such a strong bond. You've begun making your bed every morning and folding clothes (two things you're very proud of). You love going to Sunday school in the "Blue Room" at church and you continue to learn so much at your school, Little Sprouts. Your best friends there are Rory and the twins Isabel and Sophie. You really enjoy handwriting (you're getting very good at writing your alphabet -- especially your name. In fact, as I was writing this, Miss Natalie called to tell me you'd written your full name along with "Paige" and "Jalen" all by yourself. I'm guessing Daddy's will be next...) You're starting to read a little, sounding words out, always wanting to point out certain ones in your books. You grind coffee for me at school every day and never tire of "surprising" us at the end of the day with your creations. I think one of your strong love languages is gift giving. You always want to buy flowers or a treat for someone you love. Spring is on the way and it will be wonderful to get to play outside with you again. We've decided to have a party to celebrate the beginning of each season. Last weekend in Marysville we visited Orscheln to see the baby chicks and pretend to ride the lawn mowers (this is becoming an annual early spring event and you were extra proud to share it with your brother this year.) You picked out seeds to grow in a little indoor flower garden. You help us to appreciate the little wonders in every season -- snow, sunsets, stars, rainbows, rivers, animals, growing things -- so many questions and observations that remind us how incredible God's world is. What a precious gift you are!