Charlotte Grace - the Big 5!

My big girl,

For years, we've talked about all the things you'll do when you turn 5 - the most exciting and most anticipated event was riding the school bus.  Unfortunately, we live 2 blocks from school, so you'll actually walk this fall but maybe there'll be field trips.  You also have said for years that you'd learn to ice skate when you turned 5.  You actually learned to do that just before your 5th birthday.  You said you'd learn to climb a tree.  And right you were.  You spend hours hanging from the tree in our back yard every day.  Your last goal is to get bunk beds.  We've got some time to work on that.

I found the 4-year-old year to be a little sassy for my liking.  I was surprised to see that 4 is the age where girls become inclusive (and therefore exclusive).  It's only been a few weeks, but so far, I am loving 5.

Pulling 3 siblings.  Uphill.

You have a loving heart.  You think of others and come up with ways to assist those in need.  You frequently bring toys up from rest time to say "I have another one similar to this, you can give this one to another kid."  For mothers' day, you told me "I was thinking I could get you a salad bar so then any time you want salad, we'd have it for you."  I have wished repeatedly since then, that we could actually purchase one for our home.  You are generous, especially with your brother.  You save him snacks and bring him toys and he loves you for this.  You and your sister are buddies.  You two are empowered by each other to do things you wouldn't do separately...like explore new places, speak to new friends or cover an entire bathroom in pink toothpaste.  You are adaptable and generous.  When discussing foster care and implementing it, you are creative and excited about helping other children.

Loving like Jesus using the first
 aid kit you put together in church

You have had a major gross motor growth spurt.  In the past couple of months, you've learned to cross the monkey bars, mastered new gymnastic skills, and can even ride a two-wheeler...fast.  I'm hoping this is the summer you learn to swim.

You have made many new friends in the neighborhood who will travel with you to kindergarten.  You have started to refer to your "best friend, Laurel" and my heart rejoices.  I have anxiously waited for you to have a best friend.  There's something extra sweet about that one special relationship.  I hope it continues for years and years.  And Laurel has a little sister Cailin's age and another one Matthew's age so this could become a whole family affair.

Another "big kid" milestone you've reached is reading.  You started last summer and can now spell most any word (phonetically) and can read a wide variety of books.  It's fabulous to watch you read to your brother and sister.  And it's just impressive to see you read independently.  It's slightly inconvenient when Daddy and I are trying to make plans without your input though.  One example: while at Disney World, we were discussing where to go next and Daddy said, "there's the C-O-A-S-T-E-R..." and you yelled "Roller Coaster!!  I want to go there!"


We spent your 5th birthday in the most magical place on earth: Walt Disney World!  What a perfect way to spend a birthday.  Characters and staff were constantly wishing you a Happy Birthday and Mickey Mouse even sent you balloons!  You'd even met Elsa and Anna before 9 AM.  We know how hard you work and how proud we should be.  It was wonderful for us to be able to celebrate you and give you a very special birthday adventure.

We love you big girl and you impress us regularly with your energy, your smarts, your skills and your heart.

Happy 5th birthday Charlotte Grace!

All the love,
Mama

Birthday girl

You don't usually admit it, but I think
Cailin may actually be your best friend

Helping find Daddy's size

5 year old appt

The way he looks at you <3

Oh the sass

All The Grace

Ok y'all.  After putting our kids to bed last night, we got a call.  We said we'd be willing to take in another little baby who has already been exposed to a very broken world.  Thankfully (for Baby) and Sadly (for me), another family was a better fit and Baby is now safely in their arms.  

Mother's day is in 2 days and I've spent the week daydreaming of flowers, pedicures, and pancakes in bed.  Then last night, I was hit hard.  A mama is now without her precious babies.  And not just the one we were told about last night but other moms as well.  I can hear the responses already of "But they messed up!" And yes, truthfully, these mamas may have made a mistake but that does not mean their hearts won't ache this weekend.  And these poor innocent children who are placed in homes with very loving (though completely foreign) strangers will be keenly aware that their birth mother is absent on Sunday.

While in a public bathroom this morning, Charlotte saw a pair of familiar purple toddler shoes.  She was so excited.  And a minute later, we were both a little disappointed that Baby Girl didn't come out of that stall.  My heart ached just a little more then.

I am working hard to end with some grand conclusion but am coming up short.

Count your blessings friends.  Hold your babies close.  And if you know a mama who needs a hand, offer it.  It could just as easily be you or me in need.

Thank God for Grace.  They say it's sufficient.