A blessed 2011

Where did this year go? Really!?!? I guess when you have a newborn at the beginning of the year (Fiona's birthday is February 1st- ahh! How do I have an almost 1 year old?)time flies.

I could go on and on about all that has happened and all that I'm thankful for, but I want to sum up our year in one word- BLESSED.

We have had more activities, events, and transitions this year than in any other year of our marriage. Life has not been a happy-go-lucky, kumbayah situation. It's been messy, sleep-deprived, crazy, and simply not what we planned. More than anything, I believe we have been blessed because God is pouring His grace on us and I am starting to understand my utter need for Him alone.

What are my resolutions as I revisit this past year? Lean into God even more. Recognize that without Him, I can't do a single thing. I look forward to how we can join God in what He's doing in 2012. Happy New Year!

Juju-- You're 2!

Juliette,

Happy Birthday my beautiful, energetic, creative, amazing daughter.



I am really looking forward to this year, Jujubee. We're going to have a blast. Get ready for even more arts and crafts, outings, and silly dances and songs.




You know how to have fun, talk to anyone, and run around without a care in the world.




I am SO blessed that I get to be your mom. You do so much for my soul.




I pray that you know God's deep love for you, little one.



I am asking our extravagantly gracious and purely good God to show you His love for you as you continue to grow.




Our family has dramatically changed since you came into this world- but only for the better.



You are a real life example of God's grace, love, and work in my life. I love you precious girl. Happy 2nd Birthday! I hope there are many more celebrations to come.

Happy 5th Belle!

Belle,

Your life is a gift. A precious miracle. Before you even came into this world, it was my prayer that you would know and experience the greatness of God. God has used your amazing life to make His grace and love more real in my own life.




I can barely remember life before you, and yet you've only been with us for 5 years. There has been lots of wonderful, happy, joyful memories. There's also been a lot of pain, exhaustion, and very hard days.



As I get ready to celebrate you... 5 years of life with Belle... I think about how I am privileged to be your mom. You are the most creative kid I know. I love that about you.



My heart swells as I reflect on the sweet memories we have together. I love how you love to snuggle and that you can focus on projects for longer than developmentally appropriate, I think. You remember the smallest details and you love to celebrate.



As you continue to grow into who God made you to be, I have but one hope. I hope that you see how big and marvelous God is, and that you really get that we can't do this life without Him.




Happy Birthday Belle. I love you. I look forward to celebrating you A LOT these next days... and hopefully, for many years to come. You are so loved.

Today was the day...

that I thought was so far away. Belle Elizabeth Alana Perdue had her first day of Kindergarten.

It doesn't feel like too long ago, that I was waiting for our sweet daughter to join us. We had so many hopes and dreams for her. Mostly, that she would know she is loved and that her life has a purpose.

Life has never been the same since Belle came into this world. Being new parents, rocked us to the core. God has given Belle such a strong spirit, and we're glad for that. Nevertheless, we were quickly aware of our desperate need for God with this little one.

She has never been short on smiles. Or words.

Her curiosity delights us.

She will always be our warrior princess.

Today was the day that I sent my first daughter to Kindergarten. I didn't cry. I might later. For now, I know this is exactly where she is supposed to be and I am thrilled to see her grow and thrive in this new environment. Jackson took the day off and we had an awesome time connecting with other parents and seeing Belle enjoy this new season. Belle had an amazing first day. She didn't want to leave. In fact, she wanted to go back when we got home (Kindergarten is 3 hours here in Fremont). This marks a new season for our family. Here we go!

Jabbering Juliette

I'm so grateful I get to be Juliette's mom. Juliette (we usually call her "Juju", and that's how she refers to herself most times) is 21 months old going on 3, maybe 4. She has such an amazing personality. Here are a few of her most recent ramblings within the past couple of days.

- "I drank my cup. (If you were at our table, you'd see a twinkle in her eye here). I drank my BIG cup."

- "That's my potty. That's my shower. That's my tummy. That's my (insert pretty much any word here)..."

- "Mommy, my tummy hurt you" (she has a tummy bug as of 3am this morning, this was announced some time in the late morning).

And the best for last...

"That's my wedding ring. It's pretty". (I let her 'borrow' my ring to distract her while changing her diaper today). Oh goodness.

Belle is going to school!

Almost. It is still sinking in that our first born is heading to Kindergarten in a couple of months. She promoted from preschool today. We had a lot of partying today. Special breakfast. Promotion ceremony with family and friends in the audience. Belle's lunch of choice with some family to love on her and celebrate her promo.

I want to take a moment to reflect on some significant things that have happened over the course of Belle's preschool experience.

1. She made some good friends. Belle has connected with other kiddos well and that's been neat to see. She also seemed to form friendships with kids whose parents I happened to really enjoy getting to know. Even better.

2. Belle did more art than I thought possible. Certainly more than she'd ever do at home with me.
3. She learned more about character development this year. To honor Belle's privacy, I will not share details. There was a specific incidence this year where Belle didn't make a good choice. In fact, it was a bad choice. At her preschool, she learned how to correct that in a way we believe God would want her to handle it AND the teachers and staff at her preschool were super supportive and really helped facilitate character growth and showed Belle grace.

4. Last but not least, it was amazing to see Belle flourish and thrive in a learning environment outside of our home. We've received awesome feedback from her teachers and are so excited to watch and see how Belle Elizabeth Alana Perdue grows in her school years.

Ms. Kathy- one of the wonderful teachers that helped our treasure grow more into the warrior princess she is destined to be.

Her first diploma.

We gave Belle a really special necklace today. Jackson had purchased a necklace on a Mexico Missions trip almost 5 years ago to the day for Belle (while she was still in utero, it's really cute- it has a little flower and a rice grain with Belle's name and a heart on it).

Juliette was all about the little chairs set up for the 'graduates'. The most precious thing (aside from her- just look at how serious she is taking her job right now) is that she sat next to the chair Belle was going to sit in (labeled with Belle's name to Juliette's right). Oh man, Juliette will be sitting in one of these chairs sooner than later. Okay, we have a few years.

It is my prayer that this little girl will grow into all she is meant to be. Here we go!

Sisterly Love

I have been amazed by the bond that Juliette and Belle have been forming. Their personalities are so different, and it works. Even from when Juliette was an infant (I'm talking four months old), the two girls have played together well... and a lot. Little Fiona has quickly joined the pair and bright smiles are shared by all three- often. Lately, Juliette truly misses Belle when Belle's gone and talks about it. "Belle! Juju play Belle!" I'm having a great time watching our girls interact and enjoying how natural their love for one another seems to come.

Now, don't get me wrong. Just this morning we had to tell Belle it's not okay to trip Juliette while she's happily running around. Juliette expresses her love for Fiona by "Elmyra-style" hugging her or touching her. I don't have rose-colored glasses when it comes to love being the only emotional bond these kids will share. Coming from a family of four girls, I know there are lots of feelings communicated through the years. As the years and maybe even months pass, I know that there will be hard times where the 'sisterly love' may be hard to feel. And, I also know that love isn't built on butterflies, rainbows, and warm fuzzies. That all said, I am relishing our girls' 'love' one another and plan to do all I can to nurture and support the family bonds in our home.

Passion Week and Easter

This year Passion Week and Easter was even better than the last. I hope we can say that with each passing year. We had a lot of things going on during the week that made for a crazy, and even difficult time (I plan to blog about that later) but it was a sweet celebration and remembrance.

Belle is at a great age "four-and-a-half as of April 4th!... I'm big!". She seemed to really understand things this year and was excited about each and every activity that we did. She continually said, "Mom! Jesus is alive... He is alive and he did what no one has ever done before".

The Sunday before Easter we made Easter Rolls. We used some indulgent ingredients, but the whole point was to have the marshmallow melt and disappear just like Jesus' body was no where to be found when he left the tomb.

Another day, we did a Resurrection Easter Egg Hunt. This ended up being an activity we did multiple times a day leading up to Easter Sunday. Belle can tell the story herself now.

On Friday, we made a Tomb Garden.

On Sunday, Belle woke up to a different garden.

Here's the only picture I ended up taking Easter Sunday. The Perdue Girls ready for Bay Kids!

We celebrated Easter by attending and serving at Southbay Church. I encourage you to read my friend Stacie's Easter Rewind.

I hope you enjoyed your Passion Week and Easter too. Any ideas for next year? Send 'em my way!

It Matters to Me

This will be short and sweet. I'm really excited that Jackson is blogging again and I think you should be too. My suggestion? Start following it now, so you don't have to play catch up when you read a post and see how great it is. Here it is: A Blog Worth Checking Out if you haven't already.

Well, as you know he (Jackson) matters a lot to me. But I like to think that I would still promote this blog even if the author wasn't my best friend and life partner.

Happy One Month, Fiona!

A Sweet Miracle- Fiona Jacqueline Kealahonua

Fiona is one month today. I can't remember life without her, yet it feels like there's no way she's been out of the womb for a month already.

She is PRECIOUS. Her cry is getting stronger, but still soft for any newbie I've heard. Her sisters adore her (as do her parents, family, and all who meet her). She's already been to church a couple of times and she was able to hang out at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) yesterday. Enjoy the pictures....

Belle loves "Fi" or "Noni Bear"... her two fave nicknames for Fiona.

Fiona a few weeks old.

Fiona heading to church at South Bay on Sunday... her second time!

The gloves... I FINALLY trimmed her nails shortly after this picture was taken.

Juliette loves "bebe"...

She sure does. :-)

Can I Have and Do it All, Please?

I just finished reading this book by Christine Caine and I enjoyed it. More than that, I got some great 'nuggets' I want to share. The author, Chris, encourages women to know that having and doing it all is a perspective and heart issue. Here are three things that really stood out to me in this book:

1. "You must ensure you do not settle for anything less than God's ultimate purpose and plan for your life"... For me, this is huge. It's getting better with time (and age/responsibilities), but I have often run around wanting to do everything all at once.

2. "Having and doing it all is a constant process of change- a continual ebb and flow from one season to the next"... This is reassuring and just plain common sense all at once. With a preschooler, toddler, and 3 week old newborn it is not time for me to try to lead a ministry or even co-lead a group... however, as the seasons change, there will be time for this. Right now, my job and all is to take care of my husband and three beautiful daughters.

3. It's all about endurance! "... if we see... trials as opportunity for God to do great work IN us as part of the process of having and doing it all, then this will fuel us to keep going, and fill us with the strength and passion to endure and overcome". So I needed to read this quote THIS MORNING. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, and I am not viewing this as an opportunity for God to work in me. I need and want to though, so I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for sharing this book with me, Mandy!

Reflections and Revisions Take 2

Wow! I have found myself thinking and saying, "It can't be the new year already...". Last year, I wrote a post about the year entitled Reflections and Revisions. With lack of time and energy, I've cleverly made this post the second version of last year's. I'm even going to use the exact same format... here we go!

2010 has been a year of blessings and miracles. Here are some I'd like to share:

- Juliette was but a little newbie this time last year... almost 3 months old. We've seen so many milestones and firsts this year that have been awesome to be a part of.
- Belle started preschool (she will still go until the end of May) and loves it! She also completed her first ballet class and learned how to swing ("even without a push start, Mom!") towards the end of 2010.
- We found out Jax had his teaching position for another school year (a true miracle)!

- I was able to fly out to Colorado and attend my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary.

- I also got to visit one of my best friends Lindsey in San Diego in May.
- I got pregnant in May with Fiona (another miraculous event... ).

- I worked for a short stint teaching classes this summer at our local community college. A way God provided for us to send Belle to preschool.

- We spent our summer vacations well... a week in Anaheim, camping at Sequoia National Forest, beach/zoo/park trips...

- We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary... we had a fun getaway!

- We co-led and then led a Small Group through our church this year.

- We were able to be a part of Dave and Megan's wedding in August (Jackson's brother and my wonderful new sis-in-law).
- Jackson turned 30.
- Belle celebrated her 4th birthday, and Juliette her 1st year at the beginning of October.
- Have continued to be involved with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and am loving every minute of it.
- I got the privilege of staying home with both of my girls for most of the year (sans my part time teaching during the summer).

- We moved in and out of our home for over a month. I am also really excited that over the past 2 weeks Jackson and I have done a ton of home projects to make our home run as smoothly as possible with 3 little ones...

Here are the questions that I want to answer and pose for 2010 and 2011, respectively:

Did I fall more in love with Jesus?
Did I love Jackson well?
Am I loving my daughters into the arms of Christ?
Have I taken care of what has been entrusted to me?

To be quite honest, I could do more. It's been a year of many celebrations and miracles but as I look at the year and even in my journals I want more. SO, it is my heartfelt prayer that this time next year I will be writing that I fell more in love with Jesus, Jackson, and took great care with all that God has entrusted to me.

Here are some of my favorites pics from 2010...

Our Little Fiona... still in the womb. Due mid February of this year.

Visiting with Linds in SD this spring...

Belle and Juliette have had so much fun bonding and growing together this year!

We had lots of BBQs and celebrations this year...

Camping

Camping/Juliette about to fall asleep. LOL!

Dave and Megan's Wedding... Jax was the best Best Man!

Belle at ballet....