Happy 1st Birthday Fiona!

My precious Fiona,

Words will never be able to capture the love and awe that I have for you. God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with your life. You are so joyful. I love that about you. I pray that your joy grows as you know and begin to understand the incredible love that God has for you. You are sweet. Truly. Your temperament from day one has been that of an angel, and for that we are grateful. Regardless of how you act, the choices you make, and the things you do... you will always be loved. You can't do anything to earn love or grace, it's just there.

Happy Birthday Noni Bear! I can't wait to celebrate so many more with you.

Love,

Mom

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!