AWANA Award Night

Since November, you have been attending AWANA at Community Baptist Church in LaGrange, NC.  You were very interested in attending when Daddy would bring  you to watch Josiah and Sophie do the opening group time.  One night, your teachers asked if you could stay, so we talked about it and thought we would give it a try.  You did really well, but had a couple of moments when you were a little shy, but I think having your big sister, Sophie, there helped you.  So, you got a ribbon for participating in Cubbies this year.  Next year, you will still be a Cubby, but you will start working on memorizing your Bible verses.  We are so proud of you for going and attending each week and participating.  We look forward to working with you on your Bible verses.  Just like we have told Josiah and Sophie...it isn't just about memorizing the verses to say that you have done it, but we pray that you will live out these verses on a daily basis.  We are so proud of you and love you very much, Kyrie Eleison!!

Getting ready to go to AWANA Award Night

Kyrie with her AWANA class (a few were missing)

Getting her award from  her teacher for attending class

Celebrating with ice cream

Kyrie with her teacher

Kyrie with her other teacher, Ms. Martha

Thanksgiving 2014

Things that I am thankful for:

Daniel Tiger; Nana, my sleeping friend; all the babies I got at my birthday party; for friends; TV shows; Tobias; Lin-Lin playing babies with me; Ms Paula's baby, Baby Joseph; cars; books to read; Pa T and Lin-Lin and their home; Josiah; Sophie; the Bible; Mommy and Daddy

Our Little Tiger Photo Shoot

We finally got some nice weather and free time to take Kyrie's 3-year-old pictures.  It was a beautiful day by the lake in Walnut Creek.  Someone was excited to wear her Daniel Tiger dress...AGAIN!  So enjoy these few photos of our little tiger.

Love that smile!

The many faces of Kyrie

That fussy face

She melts my heart

Our Little Tiger is 3!

Our little tiger is officially three!!  I can't believe that three years have gone by since we welcomed our third child into the world!  We have truly been blessed to have her in our family.  She brings so much laughter into our lives.  She definitely keeps us on our toes...we never know what she may do or say.  Often times it comes out when we are disciplining her which requires A LOT of strength not to laugh at her.  Many times we keep a straight face, but there are times when the laughter rolls out of us.  The world needs people like Kyrie.  She will be the one to keep things changing...will encourage people to be think out of the box...she will bring laughter to "tense" situations.    She also has the personality of doing things in her own time.  I must admit, I often get frustrated repeating the same expectations day in and day out.  But when she decides in her own time that the expectation is worth following, there is no turning back.  Some might be worried about this personality trait, but I find comfort in knowing that when she gives her life to Jesus, then there will be NO ONE who will change her mind and she will be COMPLETELY sold out to Him...it is just praying her to that point of giving her life to Jesus.  She continues to be very maternal...she LOVES her some babies...doll or human form...it does not matter. She is the one that wants to help in the kitchen, help with chores...she just wants to help.  I love this characteristic about her and know that the Lord will continue to grow this in her and use it for His glory. 

Kyrie has been doing so well in school this year.   She has started writing her name; is coloring in the lines; is reading simple, repetitive books. I am so proud of all that she is able to do and often times, she is keeping up with her sister and brother in our school routine.  I often times forget that she was just two when we started school this year!  She will be starting AWANA in a couple of weeks.  She went to watch Josiah and Sophie do their group time a couple of weeks ago and REALLY wanted to stay for the class time.  The club director said that she could start coming since she was turning three, so I think we are going to give it a try and see how she does. 

We had a little get-together on her birthday at the Chick-fil-a  in town.  It was nice to celebrate Kyrie with some old/new friends and family.  Here are a few pictures from her party.  I hope to go take her three-year-old pictures sometime next week...we have had some sick Hootie Hoos, so we just didn't have time to go take them.  And let's be honest...pictures with a boogie nose...well, I don't think she would want to look back and know that I had a picture like that hanging on our family picture wall! 

Tiger Tails for our party favors

A special birthday breakfast

Daniel Tiger birthday banner

Birthday cinnamon rolls...this has become a family tradition

Breakfast of champions..cinnamon roll, eggs, sausage and fruit

Coloring at her birthday party at Chick-fil-a

Getting some help from Daddy

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

Blowing out her candles

She got them all

Auntie Coco helping Kyrie open her presents

Getting some birthday love from Auntie Coco

 

Getting some birthday love from Diana

Getting some birthday love from Maddie

The war has been won

Well, I think it is safe to say that you are FINALLY potty trained!!  This has been such a LONG process, but we have persevered and stayed consistent.  When we went on trip at the end of April and you stayed dry the whole time we were gone.  The craziest thing is you started asking to go potty, too. It was a little difficult being in the van and you asking to go, but we definitely took advantage of your requests and would stop.  When we got back, you had a few accidents and stopped asking to go potty.  Then one day, we decided to put you in panties and made such a big deal about it...which you loved...that I think you were convinced that you just needed to stay dry and to tell us when you needed to go.  So besides the one random day you had an accident, you haven't had any accidents for over a month.  You are even staying dry at night.  You even go into the bathroom all by yourself and do your own thing. It is really cute watching you maneuver the stool and the potty seat, but you are determined to do it all by yourself! :) 

So needless to say, we are very proud of this accomplishment.  We all have worked really hard to get you to this point.  Keep up the great work, Ky!!

Our Little Busy Bee is 2

Well, you are 2 years old!!!  The last two years have gone by so fast.  It seems just like yesterday that we were heading to the hospital to have you turned, so we could deliver you naturally.  Even though the turning wasn't successful and you arrived via C-section, you arrived just how God wanted you to. 

Kyrie, you bring so many smiles and even more laughter to our lives.  You have figured out how to use your cuteness...especially on your daddy!   You are truly a joyful baby...I mean toddler.  Nothing gets you down.  You continue to be cuddly, which Mommy loves!  Often times, you find your way into someone's lap, want a pillow and blanket to snuggle with, or just want to give BIG hugs.  You are truly a free spirit...you love life, love trying new things and often times you lack a fear...which keeps me on my toes! 

You have been learning so much in school.  You know your letters, how to spell your name,  count to 12, your shapes, your colors, words from "Your Baby Can Read" and many other things.  Right now, you really enjoy playing with your babies, doing puzzles, reading (your favorite book is "Little Blue Truck"), drawing and helping Mommy cook. 

Kyrie, we are so thankful for you and the fact that God chose us to be your parents.  We look forward to seeing how God is going to use you to further His kingdom. 

We love you, Kyrie Eleison!!

Here are a few pictures from her photo-shoot in Downtown Herndon:

Peek-a-boo, I see you

This girl melts my heart

Love those blue eyes

Our little busy bee

Absolutely gorgeous!

 

Run for my money

Well, I decided to take a minute...or two to write about you.

My how you have grown in just the past few weeks.  Your are able to communicate so much better...putting simple sentences together to let us know what you want...or don't want! :) 

We have had some good laughs lately.  The other morning, I was getting ready for the day.  I was getting my dirty laundry, and I couldn't find my milk pads.  I looked all around the bathroom and bedroom thinking I might have dropped them somewhere along the way.  I couldn't find them, but figured they would show up at some point, so I carried on with getting ready.  A bit later, Tobias was crying and you came to me and said, "Feed, Baby?"  I told you, "Yes, I need to feed, Tobias." Then you proceeded to lift up your shirt and say, "Feed, Baby!" as you removed my lost milk pads.  I just started laughing because that is one place I didn't think to look!

The other night, you came to me with a library book and said, "Read you."  So we sat on the couch to read our book.  Part way through, you decided you wanted to read your favorite book, "Little Blue Truck."  I told you that we needed to finish our library book first before we read "Blue."  Well, you didn't like my answer, so you asked again, "Read you."  Again, I told you we needed to finish our other book first.  Again, you said, "Read you."  Again, I told you after.  Daddy was in the kitchen listening to all this and shaking his head.  I told him it was an illustration of what his going on with our government right now. (Currently our government is shut down because they can't agree or compromise on healthcare/budget/and everything else in between).  That made your daddy chuckle.  Again, you asked and again, I told you afterwards.  Then in a firm voice you said, "Read you, right now!!"  I saw your daddy put his head down and his body shake a bit from laughter.  I was just so shocked that I didn't even know what to say.  The night ended with us not finishing the library book or reading "Blue." 

The last thing is from the other day and potty training.  Let's just say this time around hasn't been as easy as it has been with your brother and sister.  :)  You went the entire night with a dry diaper, so I decided to put you on the potty even though you were politely saying, "No, thank you."  I put on a TV show for you to watch and let you sit on the potty.  After 30 minutes...still no pee-pee.  So I sat down next to you to read a couple of stories.  Got done reading...still no  pee-pee.  So I sang a few songs...still no pee-pee.  I leaned over to give you a kiss to encourage you..."Back Away, Momma" came from your lips as your hand went up.  Again, you left this momma speechless...and laughing inside.  And after almost an hour...still no pee-pee. 

So as you can see, you have quite the personality.  I love your strong-will...even though it leaves me speechless at times and frustrated at others, but this is who God has designed you to be.  I pray that you use this strong-will to stand firm in Jesus.  That you won't be swayed by what the world has to offer.  I love you, Kyrie Eleison, and I am so proud to be your momma...even when you give me a run for my money!! :)