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!