Miss Miya, You are now six. I cannot beleive six years have come and gone with you around. I look for ways to slow down time with you;I realize I can't and try to soak up the memories as much as I possibly can. This past year has passed by way too quickly. You have learned so much and grown up in so many ways. You are a reading machine now and are often found doing one of two things, playing barbies/babies with Jayden, or reading. I think those are your two most favorite things to do right now. You have an amazing memory. Over the past year you and Jayden have been able to learn and remember several bible passages and songs (Melanie tries). For some reason you struggle remembering things like picking up your toys or brushing your teeth :) I think that's probably selective listening. You are a pretty quick learner. The first time something new is introduced you get shy and/or frustrated; but by the next day you are learning it and mastering it. I love watching you learn so many new things. Now that you can read, we gave you your first Bible. Today, you picked up your bible after breakfast to read and then again later in the day. You even chose to bring just your bible for rest time today. It is such a blessing to see your love for God and how much you want to learn about Him. You often ask if we can keep reading bible stories after our story time is done. I pray that you will always be in God's word and will continue to be hungry to learn about him each and every day. Here are a few of your favorites (very random): You are our goofy kid. You are always joking around trying to be funny. I'm not sure where you get it; but you love to make people laugh. Your favorite color is blue. Your favorite breakfast is cereal if Dad can't make pancakes and bacon (you LOVE bacon and can smell it a mile away). For your birthday lunch you chose gogurt, cheese stick, juice box, and nuggets. For birthday dinner you wanted grilled cheese (I think you wanted to copy Jayden). Your favorite thing to watch is Wild Krats. You love playing memory with the family and usually win. Which brings up a very valid point. You my dear are soooooo competive. You want to be first for everything and want to win in all things. It's a good thing Jayden doesn't have a competitive bone in her body or we'd have much more fighting. You LOVE your sisters dearly and spend HOURs playing babies and house. You and Jayden try to lock Melanie out, but she usually finds a way in. You do not like to get groceries or to pick up toys. You also don't like to be second for anything....something we are working on. This past year we had some cows in the pasture. You would go out every morning in your pajamas to feed them....with out complaining. You LOVEd taking care of them and can't wait for the pasture to be full again. Recently you told me you are going to be a mom when you get bigger and your going to live in a cottage. You also said that you will hold the cottage next to yours for Jayden to live in. If anybody moves in you'll tell them they can't live there because that house is for Jayden. The two of you spend an hour (at least) each night talking before falling asleep. I pray you will always be this close to one another! We love you like crazy and pray the Lord will bless you with many more birthdays.

Thankfullness - Day 8

Today I am thankful for the smiles I could see and the giggles I could hear.

Thankfulness - Day 6

Today I am thankful for my washing machine and my Pumpkin Pie Yankee candle. They have both helped to keep me sane today. What did the ladies do before the invention of the washing machine? ? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't throw away perfectly good (although very soiled) clothing. . . like I would have TODAY with out my washing machine!! Maybe I'll be able to give the washing machine and the candle a break tomorrow. Hopefully! !

Thankfullness - Day 5

I am thankful for rainy days so I can cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate, a good book, and my favorite 5 year old.

Thankfulness- Day 4

Today I am thankful that as a family we can go to a church and worship our God without persecution. I am thankful for the true preaching from scriptures. Today we were blessed to witness the public confession of three young people in our church. I pray that our girls too, will one day make this confession, and that they will be able to have communion with the saints and worship in a church under the true preaching of Christ.

Thankfullness-Day 3

The quote says "iron sharpens iron". Last night I was blessed to have my iron sharpened by some amazing women of strength. Ladies leadership was the best yet. It is so great to get together with groups of women on a Friday night that want to improve themselves. We heard talks from 5 amazing ladies on how to improve and grow in our faith, our friendships, our marriages, and ourselves. It is so encouraging to know that all of us that were there last night are working towards the same goals and we can confide in each other on our toughest days, and celebrate with each other on our best days. I am so thankful for these leading ladies that have the desire to not only keep improving themselves, but to have the heart to share with us how we can do the same.

Thankfullness Day 2

We have been blessed with a BEAUTIFUL fall here in Michigan. We have had many, many sunny days and warmer temperatures. There has been some rain and chilly temps too of course. But for the most part it has been beautiful out. I love the change in seasons and would have a really hard time leaving Michigan for that reason. I love watching the leaves turn from their yellowy green to a bright orange and then to scarlet red. I love to walk outside and feel the crispness in the air. To smell the dying leaves all around. The noises too, begin to change. Instead of the high pitched tweets from the birds that awake us in the morning we begin to hear the honks of the geese and the shots from guns that slice the morning air.

I am always reminded of God's creation even more it seems during the fall (and spring). It's amazing to think that God thought out EVERYTHING before the beginning of time. He planned how the leaves would change, how the birds would fly, when the animals would hibernate and so much more. So many things I think of as "that's just how it is" have all been carefully planned according to God's sovereign plans. I am truly thankful we did not have to make these plans.

(pictures to come....)