To Beau Elias, on your 7th Birthday

Dear Beau,

Happy 7th birthday! As our oldest child, I see that time just continues to fly in rearing children. It seems each year goes by faster and faster with you and this year was no exception. There are several things I want to note about this past year with you and my prayers for the coming year.

You have so much energy! You are always riding bikes (doing crazy tricks that I sometimes have to look away from!), jumping off high points, and turning flips throughout the house. I don't know where you come up with all the energy, but you sure have a lot of it.

You have made a lot of friends this year. Whether they've been friends in discipleship class at church or in the neighborhood, you sought out to make friends and playmates this year and succeeded! Kids will always come ringing the doorbell asking if "Beau can come out and play," and I smile at the fact you're this old to have these experiences. While I'm so glad you are forming friendships, your dad and I desire for you to seek out the best kind of relationships; ones that will build you up, that will spur you on with the Lord, and that will allow you to be open, honest, and have adventure. Look for these kinds of relationships and be careful of who you choose to spend your time with; they have a bigger influence on you than you understand at this age.

You and Cora had a tough year this year. While I love seeing the moments when you two rally for each other, this year was a tough year for your relationship. Often I would find you two fighting, or worse yet, speaking things that do not bring life or hitting each other. Beau, Cora sees you as a protective brother and when you desire to not meet that expectation for her, I see the pain in her eyes. She wants so desperately to be around you, know you, be a valued part of your life and while I know how important friends are becoming, your sister is also valuable. I am, however, so thankful that you still continue to stand up for Cora when others pick on her. This is a time when you become the light in her life. :)

Sylvie Kate just adores you! I think because you two have similar personalities, it appears easier to mesh with Sylvie. You two are daring, both trying anything new, and need constant interaction. This plays out well when you're together, but again, I feel like I remind you a lot to remember how little she is. I think it's so neat how you'll read to her, love on her when she cries, and say funny things to make her laugh, but when it comes to being physically aggressive, remember she's only two; you're quite a bit bigger than her! :)

You started first-grade doing homeschool and for the last 12 weeks went to Gerard Elementary. This was an excruciating decision for Mommy to make, and I can say now that school's over, I see the poor results from that choice. While you did well academically, socially you declined. You were picked on in school quite a bit, vocally and physically, and that translated to the way you came home. You would be aggressive and angry with your sisters, with me, and we just saw such a change in your overall attitude. I'm so sorry we did that Beau, I think I thought it would be great since it was what you had said you wanted and homeschooling was becoming such a fight every day. I think if I'm being honest with you, part of me was selfish in the decision to let you go, and every day that I took you, part of my heart just sank. This next year we're looking at doing a combination of homeschool and regular school; university model school. You'll be going Tuesday and Thursday to a school and homeschooling the other days. I'm so utterly prayerful that this will be the ticket for you Beau; Mommy prays a lot about her decisions regarding you.

You still continue to be so educated in the word, but your dad and I have seen a slow heart change occurring and we're not sure what to do. You've become quieter in discussions on scriptural and spiritual matters whether at church or at home. You've become more resistant to prayer and I can only see that as an enemy attack because he sees the powerful way you pray. We went to Peru right after you turned six, and I think that trip afffected you. It affected me. You would talk about the importance of the people there knowing Jesus, called out idolatry, and questioned people who would follow such ways. But since then, there's been a turn in the tide, and Mommy is intercedding in a mighty way that we have breakthrough in this. I see the gifts the Lord has given you; ones of mercy, evangelism, that you seek justice, and intercede powerfully for people. The Lord has made known to me the importance in my continued intercession for you; I'm praying this next year we reach breakthrough to carry you through to what the Lord has next for you.

With this being such a year of struggle spiritually and emotionally, it's no wonder we had a hard time reigning in your anger. You are such a sensitive boy, and I mean that in a wonderful way, because you're just like your mama, but that also means we feel EVERYTHING. And we feel everything BIG. And if we're not careful, the moment we let you of our self-control is the moment that could inflict major pain on someone that we can't take back. I desire and pray for you to use your sensitivity to relate to others to pray for them, to interact with them well, and help them know the truth. We continue to work on ways to allow the Holy Spirit to develop a work of self-control in you; but ultimately that is up to you to let Him. But aside from that, [please remember when you feel like I'm against you or want ill for you that I will NEVER give up you, NEVER tire of you, NEVER quit you. You're just too precious for that and loved way too much by the Lord and by me.

Beau, as much as this year has been difficult, it's also been one of immense growth. No longer are you the toddler that needs tons of help or lots of explaining for simple actions. I can sit and have meaningful conversations with you; I LOVE that. You bless me in ways unspeakable and I always thank God He gave you to me. Happy 7th birthday, my tough, fierce, bold boy.

Love,
Mom

To Cora Fair, on your 4th Birthday

Dear Cora,

You are turning four! What a fun year this has been to watch you grow. You are becoming quite a girl and this year has shown to be such a year of advancement for you. There are some things I'd especially like to remember about you at this stage.

You continue to be my creative child. You could spend your days just painting, coloring, and drawing. Anytime someone pulls out crayons, paints, paper, play dough, or even just a pencil, you're wanting to draw. You still sing and dance all day long. Whether it's a hymn, a song from preschool, a song from the radio, or one you've simply come up with on your own, you're singing all the time. Your dad and I often smile when driving in the car because we can hear you singing while gazing out the window. You come up with your own dances and anytime you hear a good beat, you're swinging your hips. Sometimes you'll come up to me and ask if I want to hear a new song you made up; they are always the most excellent songs. I love that you can always find a reason to sing and always think there's something to be created. I hope you never stop thinking that.

You love to read and are starting to ask if I'll teach you how to read yourself. If I were to set a huge pile of books in front of you, you would spend your day asking someone to read to you then flipping through them yourself. Your my child that I can read to for hours, and you never tire of it. You like princess books, lots of board books, and listening to your Bible. I'll often find you in your room, flipping through pages, retelling stories as much as you can. It's such a sweet sight.

You are such a smart girl. This year you were determined to learn your Old Testament books by the time you turned four and four days before your birthday, you did it! I was so impressed by your determination. I'm so amazed at how quickly you learn and your vocabulary is quite extensive. It's hard to believe we're coming up on your last year of preschool; but you love school and I, along with so many others, see the teachable spirit in you.

You are a girly girl. You love to run in your room in the mornings and decide what to wear. You like dresses and getting your hair fixed. You like shoes and makeup.You adore getting your nails painted. You'' ask for different colors on your fingers and a totally different set of colors on your toes. I've had to discipline you a couple times for getting into my nail polish after telling you to let it be. I am so excited that you're so girly; it makes me very happy to think of all the girly things we can do together as you get older.

You're a prayerful gal. You have floored your dad and I with the things you tell us God is speaking to you. I love that you're learning so early on that God is still speaking to His people; I see a mighty future for you in His kingdom. Please, please, never let anyone tell you your gift isn't valuable; it's beautiful and a GIFT from your Lord.

You are always your daddy's girl. You squeal with delight when he comes through the door after work. You will barely let him out of your sight when he's home. You wake up in the middle of the night and come in our room simply (I think) so you can snuggle up to him. You still ask him if he'll rock you at night. You get all dressed up and ask him to tell you how pretty you are (and he happily obliges). Remember though, "Pretty is as pretty does." I say this over and over to you to remind you that although indeed you are a beautiful little girl, that it won't matter much unless you're beautiful on the inside as well.

You and Sylvie Kate are forming the sweetest friendship. You both love to play with dolls, play kitchen, or just giggle and play house with each other while I teach Beau. It's such a sweet sight and reminds me of how thankful I am you have a sister; I always loved having a sister to play with when I was growing up.

You and Beau have had a tough year. I know you're going to be so thankful for a big brother as you grow; but you both went through some growing pains this year and that tended to take a toll on each other. While sometimes you may feel upset that Beau picks on you, remember he absolutely loves you; he's the only one he allows to pick on you. ;)

Being three was been a time of discipline more than usual for you. You tested boundaries more than we were used to from you, but have grown so much more from adhearing to those boundaries. You show us you have a stubborn streak in you; remember that's to be used to be stubborn for Godly things, not fleshy.

You became a world traveler. We flew to Peru right after you turned three and you did great! You loved the culture, but were a bit overwhlemed at all the attention (the people there were not used to seeing little blondes running around). You were friendly, kind, a true joy most of the time. You're ready to go back! We'll have to see.

You're a peacekeeper and encourager. You tell everyone good job! We saw this as you started soccer. What a natural you were; we're already gearing up for soccer in the fall.

Friendships have become important to you. Finding other little girls your age that like to play is something that you value; some friends you have now are Trinity, Avery, Hadley, Makennah, and the neighborhood girls. You're a good friend, although you get very sad when another friend doesn't want to play with you. Disappointment will come, but take it in stride and refuse to accept the rejection inwardly.

Cora, I love you so very much and love being your mama. I find such joy in being your mama. When others ask me how to describe you, I often say, "She's such a good kid. Compliant, generous, encouraging, peaceful; that's our Cora Fair." You are all that, and much more.

Happy birthday beautiful girl, I love you so much.

Love,
Mama