It's a Ninja Turtle World

Dear Jordan,

You are currently obsessed with the Ninja Turtles.  You know everything about them...what weapons they use, their favorite phrases (Get a Grip!), etc. etc.  It's non-stop.  You call me Donnatello or Donnie.  You are "Leo-a-nardo".  It's really cute and once I figured out that it's a Ninja Turtle world, I started to understand a lot o what you say and do!!  So funny!

It's been 4 months since I wrote you.  It's because we're living in a tornado and every night, I lay on the couch and pass out, which leaves very little time for things like this.  Life is fun, busy, stressful, and crazy!  We are currently waiting for another adoption, buying a house and your dad is starting a new job as a teacher.  A lot of changes!  But we are excited to get into our house.  It's a little smaller than this one, which is great.  I'm tired of having to chase you down. :)  I hope you love it...it will be your childhood home unless God calls us somewhere else!

You have started skipping naps which has taken some getting used to for me!  This mean no quiet time for me.  You do a "quiet time" in your room, but it mostly consists of you yelling "How much longer?" and banging on things.  Every once in a while you fall asleep, but it's rare and usually takes some bribery from me!

You are a very sweet and funny kid.  You are always making comments that make us laugh.  Your memory is incredible.  I can't believe some of the things that come out of your mouth!  You are about to start Pre-K which is an exciting change.  So we are trying to enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

We love you and are so proud of you!!

Love, Mom

 

Four Years Old!!

Dear Jordan,

Hey you big four year old!  I'm going to stop apologizing for not writing as much...you and Marcus are keeping me busy!  It is busy in a great way too.  Every day is full of fun and adventures...all because of you!  I'm a home-body and I think Marcus doesn't care either way, but you...well, you are a go-getter.  My social butterfly.  You love to (and have to) get out of this house.  So every day we go to the gym.  On Mondays, we go on the play date with our friends from church.  On Tuesdays, we have Bible Study.  On Wednesdays, we usually spend a couple of hours at home because that's when I go to Eden Clinic and we spend all evening at church.  Thursdays we go to the Toothakers and Fridays we usually do something fun and exciting with Dad.

The funny thing about all of this busy-ness is how you like to know exactly what we are doing.  Every night at bedtime:  "Mom, where are we going when we wake up?  What about after nap?  What about after that?  What about tomorrow?"  You would ask as long as I keep answering!  And if I answer, I'd better be prepared to do what I said, because you will hold me to it!  You have a great memory and I've learned to deliver when I promise because otherwise, it will not go over so well!!

We had your birthday party last month.  I was excited to celebrate you and how you are growing into such a fun little boy.  When you turned three, I was a little weepy.  But this birthday party, you chose what kind of party we had and who you invited.  You had a hard time just inviting four friends...you love a lot of people!!  We decided on a Snoopy party at Chuck-E-Cheese.  We had to ration your tokens because you were having a blast and ran from game to game as fast as you could.  You got a lot of fun gifts and between your birthday and Christmas, I can't think of anything else you could possibly use!!

It's been a joy getting to watch you grow.  Knowing how you are feeling helps me be able to relate better you.  You can say "Mom, I am mad" and can sit with me and calm down instead of throwing the huge tantrums you used to throw.  I'll admit...sometimes I still get frustrated with you, but parenting you has challenged me and all of the ways I thought I would be a mother.  I just assumed that my kids would just do what I said, but you don't.  But that's okay!  Because God is teaching me patience and how sinful my heart is.  I love control and you can't be controlled.  It's requiring me to get down with you and take the time to love on you and teach you the right way to respond.  I don't get as many "to-do's" checked off of my list, but the time with you is worth it.  I love seeing you learn what we work on and use it.  And our relationship as mother and son is wonderful.  It's an investment in you and it's paying off big time!!

I hope you know how loved you are.  I'm sure there will be times when you wonder about our love for you and about God's love for you.  But I pray that you will always know His Word in your heart and can see what your Dad and I do for you and know that you are an amazing little guy with big things in your future.

I love you,

Mom