29 November 2014

To my little Abby Jones:

The time for us to finally meet you is so very close. I got to see you yesterday during my ultrasound. You had your hand over your face, but I could see your eyes, nose, and cheek. I can't wait to cover you in kisses. I already know that you will be smart and kind and beautiful and compassionate and wonderful. My job is to make sure you grow up knowing these things. Your heavenly father has your whole life perfectly planned and in the control of His all-powerful hands. He chose to bless your dad and I with the most precious gift of your life. I can't conceive of all the great things He has planned for you, but I know one thing, little girl, He can use you to change this world. Don't ever doubt yourself or the person God created in YOU! You might think that being our third child is some kind of disadvantage, but it's just the opposite! You have an older brother AND an older sister who can't wait to meet you and love you and play with you and take care of you. Learn from them, baby girl. Iddy is thoughtful, obedient, fun, friendly, helpful, hard-working, and so many other things. Ruth Michael is still growing into who she is, but she is already independent, determined, playful, and loving. They both love their family so much, as do Papa and I. Do you see how blessed you are to be who you are? Your mama was the fourth child, and I learned so much from my wonderful siblings. I imitated the good and learned to avoid the bad. You will do the same, and you already have four people standing on the sidelines, watching you run your race, cheering you on to victory, and picking you up when you fall.
I'm pretty nervous about delivering you, and maybe one day you will feel the same nervousness about having a child of your own. But my nervousness is by far outweighed by excitement. The Lord will carry me through just like He ALWAYS has. And, baby girl, if there is one thing I can pass on to you it is this: cling to the Lord, and He will ALWAYS carry you through. Your faith will make you strong. I love you, precious angel!

29 November 2014

RM, cute things you say:

too party (tea party)

On Thanksgiving day you and I were making chocolate chip pumpkin cookies together. Out of the blue you said, "Love mommy so much!" I love you more than you will ever know! You are my sweet angel.

4 November 2014

Iddy, you are a good boy. You love to sing and dance. You're best friend is Israel from school. You do chores, washing dishes, washing the car, watering the flowers, feeding the dog and cat, to save up money. First, you bought yourself a bike. Now you are saving up for a tablet. You love to play games and watch videos on YouTube. You do very well in school and are very self-motivated. You got up at 5:30am to study for a science test. Your teachers always tell us you are a very good boy. You are working really hard to bring up your English grades. You are very artistic! At school you did rangoli art (painting with colored powder) and your design was beautiful. They gave you a really nice mug. You have also been running cross-country and playing tennis. We are so proud of you, Iddy!

4 November 2014

RM, here are some of the cute things you say:

oop-a-daisy!
less do dat!
Java house, yay, woo-hoo!
You dud it! (when you want to do it yourself)


You give me a pat-pat when I hug or hold you. You LOVE to dance. I cannot keep you from music when music comes on. You also love to sing. Iddy is a dancer, too. I love watching the two of you dance together. I imagine how much joy that must bring to the Lord, especially when you sing and dance along to worship songs. Iddy loves to sing "Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul" and he has such a sweet, clear voice. Ruth-Michael, you sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Higha, higha, lowa, lowa" in true Kenyan fashion.
Potty training is HARD!!! My first attempt was about 5 months ago and progress has been slow. I tried all day with no diaper for three days in a row- not one pee-pee in the potty! I tried putting you in panties- you peed in the panties. We offered all kinds of rewards- you would rather not have them than pee in the potty. I tried entertaining you with books and movies while you sat for hours on the potty- you peed when you got up. I tried spanking you for peeing on the floor- I felt terrible. 2 or 3 weeks after we bought you a new baby doll, telling you you could have it when you used the potty, you finally did- not pee but poop! We've made SLOW progress since then, using the potty successfully about once a day for two weeks. You get a sweet when you do. Now I have a timer, and I am making you sit on the potty every couple hours or so for 1 minute. If you go, you get a sweet. We'll see how that works. You are still in diapers- 6 weeks until we have 2 sets of diapers to change!