Kind-Hearted

Dad and I met with your kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Smith, tonight. We talked in the car about what we wanted to discuss with her. We've known for a long time that you're a bright girl, Paige. So we knew that Mrs. Smith would tell us that you're doing well academically, and she did. We also know about(and struggle daily with)your obsessive tendencies. (I bought you a new package of socks, and you will only wear the all white ones...NOT the ones with pink or purple toes.) These obsessive tendencies make you a meticulous rule-follower, so we knew that she'd tell us that you always behave in class, in the halls and in the lunchroom. Your reading scores for the first quarter of kindergarten are well above what the school would like for you to have at the END of your kindergarten year. You are exceeding grade-level expectations in art and library (naturally). We knew you'd get excellent marks, but the thing that made me the happiest was to hear your teacher say that you are kind-hearted. I don't know how many times I have prayed for you (and Reese) to grow up to be kind. It is part of my daily prayers for you. You know, Paige, it really doesn't matter if you are the smartest girl in kindergarten if you aren't kind to others. I'm so glad that God has blessed us with you, and I pray that each year your teachers will praise you for your loving kindness.

Some Kind of Quiet

Daddy, Reese and I dropped you off at kindergarten this morning. First we stopped by Mrs. Nance's room to wave at Nora. Then I showed you where the girls' bathroom is, so you wouldn't be anxious about that. When we walked into the room, there were a few boys crying, but that didn't seem to bother you much. You hung up your backpack and got your school box from your cubby. Mrs. Smith decided that your seat would be between two other little girls who were quietly coloring. I gave you a kiss in your hand and whispered, "I love you." And that was that. We walked away before you could see my tears. I didn't have many, but a few stubborn ones got out. I've been thinking about you all day and looking at the schedule. I hope you had fun in art; I'm sure that will be one of your favorite specials. While you were gone, I cut up the peaches Grandma Dixie brought down for us last week. When I drained the water out of the sink, I could hear it run through the plumbing below. I know that's a sound I've never heard since we moved into our new house. Reese played quietly most of the morning until she scooped up Pearl and sat in the basket beside the couch. I think she was missing you. I know I do.

Tell me about other people's planets

Tonight before bed you asked me to "Tell me about other people's planets." You have been asking a lot about the sun and outer space lately. You are so curious! I think there are only 8 official planets now. Scientists kicked Pluto out several years ago. Don't ask me why! I've started to teach you the planet song I learned in second grade from Mrs. Gartner, my teacher who drew her eyebrows on and taught me cursive. Anyway, the song goes like this:
Mercury, Venus, the earth and Mars
These are the planets that dwell near the stars
Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus, too
Neptune and Pluto,
I know them do you?

I guess we'll have to change the end to that one...

Never Grow Up

Daddy got me the latest Taylor Swift CD for Christmas this year. Actually, I saw it on sale at Target when we were Christmas shopping, and I said, "Hey, you should get that for me." So he did. Now I have all three of her albums. There are a couple of songs that are really getting to me lately. One of them is "Never Grow Up." Last night on our way home from church, we were listening to it, and I told you that it was a song about you. Here are some of the lyrics:

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

Now, don't get me wrong. I do want you to grow up, Paige. I just don't know how it's happening so fast. I'm just trying to soak it all in, but it seems like the days and weeks and months are just slipping by. Can't you just stay little for a bit longer?

$117,867

So, according to salary.com I'm worth $117,867 a year. That's right. If we were to hire someone to cook, clean and take care of our two little girls, we'd have to pay her quite a bit. I don't contribute financially to our family's income nowadays. I was reminded of that last night as Ben and I were going over our financial information before taking it to our CPA. I don't get paid in dollars; I get paid in snuggles and winks. I get to be here when you sing silly songs about holes in your underwear. I get to be the one who takes care of you when your fever's running at 103.6. I don't have to go off to work and worry all day long. I can sneak into your room to check on you any time I want. So keep your 117,867 dollars, salary.com. I'll keep my girls with me right here at home. Even if my house would be cleaner for 117 grand.

Alabama

We're outside on the deck soaking up some rare February warmth (You were sick all last night and this morning with the stomach flu.) when we hear a motorcycle drive through our neighborhood. You say, "I wonder where that came from." I say nothing. Then you say, "Probably Alabama." Yea, probably.....

Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

Three years have gone so quickly, or should I say three years and nine months, for that is how long you have been with me. I still remember feeling you wiggle and move within my womb. I remember your kicks, faint at first and then quite uncomfortable come January 2008. The day you were born there was snow on the ground because we had just had a winter storm (the time at which Karen went into labor with Nora). On the day Daddy drove us home he was extra careful. I don't ever remember him driving so slowly. I think he even used his blinker! ;)

Today was your first birthday party with your friends. Nora and Cailyn (Karen & Drue, Carie & Cooper and Amy too) arrived around 10 AM in high style. Nora dressed as Cinderella and Cailyn wore a lovely golden Aurora gown. You were decked out in a lovely yellow Belle dress--your favorite right now. At your party we painted each girl's fingernails. Carie attempted to give each of you a princess hairstyle. You screamed and had a fit and took yours out. Nora let Carie do half of her head! Oh, what fun.. Next you all made your own individual pizzas for lunch. While they baked you decorated crowns. After lunch, it was time for presents. Each girl had several goodies. Then we ate cake! It was a HUGE castle that Mommy worked on for several days. It wouldn't have won any cake decorating awards, but you loved it, and that's what I was going for!

More important than the dresses, presents or cakes is the fact that you have friends, Paige. You have friends that will be friends for life if you all stay in the Lord's care. I'm glad there are so many girls at Riverside Road for you to be friends with. That's something I didn't have growing up. I had a few people at church that were friends, but we didn't live close to them or get together very often. You are blessed with Nora, Cailyn, Drue and Reese, all of whom are very close to you in age and distance. You are also blessed with Logan, Lakyn, Lexi, Carley and Kenzie. I'm sure these girls will be closer friends as you all grow older.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, BABY!
I can't believe how time has flown.
Before we know it you will have grown
into a loving, generous, kind young woman
who will probably not remember the hours and days your mother has given
to cleaning up spills and baking birthday cakes
to doing dishes and asking you to use napkins.
But because you will be kind and gentle and loving
your mother will know that it was worth every last tear.