Shine On!

As I wrap Christmas presents today for my now 8 and 5 year old, I realize how fast time is going by. It seems it was just Emalee's first Christmas. And now it is her 9th! I realize that I have so much to teach them in so little time. I just have a few things I want each of them to know about what I feel for them right now and how proud I am to say they are my children. You are truly gifts from God!

Emalee, you are growing up to be such a beautiful girl both inside and out. We just had your Christmas pictures taken and you are missing your two front teeth. I realized that I will never have another Christmas portrait of you missing your front teeth. When I saw the finished product I got teared up thinking about all you are learning right now about God, friends, and family. You are starting to put pieces of the puzzle together and are realizing more than ever the goodness of God. The other day you were having trouble finding your library book and I heard you say "Lord Jesus please help me to find my library book!" A few seconds later I heard you say "Mommy, I found it. God does care about the little things!" That is so true He loves you so much even in the small stuff! Keep Shining Jesus Baby!

Kealyn, what a ball of joy you are. You are so considerate of others and seem to know exactly what everyone is needing. Whether it be a hug, snuggle, or maybe something as easy as a fork or napkin at dinner time. You are on it! Mrs. Hicks says you are absolutely precious and that she wishes she had 25 more just like you. I adore you princess! You are the wittiest kid, you get that from your Peeps. You are absolutely beautiful and so precious in His sight! You are growing with each day and learning so much about what it means to Shine Jesus! Keep on Shinin' Sister!

Girsl, in this life you will find that it seems so unfair. Things happen, people come and go, but the God we serves is everlasting. He is always here. He knows all our fears, all our failures, all our needs, and the desires of our hearts. He is so good! I was reading on Laura Grunewald's blog today and realized that she is so right. The number one thing we have to teach you as parents is about Jesus. His love, His Grace, His Forgiveness. We all mess up, but he is always there with open arms to bring us right back into his Grace. Fall into him. He will give you the wings you need to fly when you feel like you can't keep on. Remember....What is the most important thing we do today while we are at school? SHINE JESUS....So Shine on sweet girls!