my children

i would like to write a bit about what each of my children is like right now. it's something that keeps coming to me to do. as much as i'd like to remember every little thing that they do and say, i know i won't, because i'm human. so every now and then i plan to write about who they are, so that in 25 years, when they're raising their own children, i can look back and say, "oh, that reminds me of you. . ."
Ellie, age 5
our first born, is well, a true FIRST BORN! she is strong willed, determined, high spirited, etc. . . her fabulous preschool teacher, Mrs. B is always saying she'll be president someday. Ellie is so smart and incredibly creative. She makes her own books, is learning to sound out words, and starting to learn math, all before kindergarten! you can't keep her from learning. However, with all her determination comes much frustration. She wants to be in control of everything, all the time. when you cross her, she explodes with anger. so, we try not to cross her often, but at the same time, we ARE her parents. she often wishes out loud that she was an adult. i truly believe she will be happier as an adult, she often seems trapped by childhood. She has a very strong personality, and yet she can be so very giving. she loves to give gifts to everyone. little tokens, shells, gum, whatever she can find. she likes to play with her sister, as long as she can dictate how and what they will play. she loves to care for her baby brother, and pretends she's his mommy sometimes. and she's a planner. she already has her next 2 birthdays planned out, knows who she wants to marry, wants to be a vet when she grows up, and is also planning on running a farm with help from the whole family. she loves cats. we're talking hero worship here. she has about 200 stuffed cats, and has been begging us for a new real cat for the last 2 years. we made a deal with her that she can have a kitten when she's 7. Right now Ellie loves to swim, play outside, and chase butterflies. I pray that we will be able to channel her determination into good things, and that her leadership spirit will grow into doing wonderful good someday.

Annie, age 2 1/2
our middle child! Annie Grace's name means "blessed with the grace of God", and she truly seems that to me. she brings me so much joy with her sweet spirit and lovingness. she is starting to really bloom into a beautiful little girl. annie is easy to handle. she loves to play quitely, with others or alone. she is tiny and graceful and sweet, like a little daisy. Annie surprised me the other day with how well she could put puzzles together. She has a quick little mind that is growing leaps and bounds every day. Annie takes gymnastics and absolutely loves it. Her favorite things to do are rolling and swinging on the bars. She has these awesome little muscles in her arms and legs from constantly climbing and swinging on things. She's my little monkey! She makes me laugh with her funny faces and silly dances. She loves Dora, and wants her to come to our house to play. Annie loves family. She is always asking where Daddy, Grammie, Nana, Aunt Michelle, or her cousins are. She loves to love on you and be loved on by you. Kisses, hugs, head rubs and gentle pats are the ways she shows you she loves you. Usually the only time i have any problems with annie is when she's tired. When she's tired, we try to just stay out of her way, because boy can she get cranky! she also can get pretty mad at her sister when she gets to bossy. annie may be sweet, but she's no pushover. I pray that she will always keep her sweetness, and that she will show God's love through her gentle spirit.

Austin, age 8 months
Our baby! What a surprise it was to find out that we were having baby #3! You really should take those birth control pills every day! Oh, but what a blessing we have in our darling baby boy. After two girls, it's been lots of fun to have a little man. I really didn't think i would notice a big difference between him and the girls until toddlerhood. I was wrong! Everything about this baby screams boy! At just a few months old he would grunt instead of coo. Now at 8 months, he loves to bang things and make lots of noise. He's a go-getter. He is just learning to crawl, and wants to be on the floor all the time so he can practice his new skill. When I hold him he lunges for the floor, as if he were saying "just put me down so i can go!" He's a sweet baby, he loves kisses and hugs. He hardly ever fusses. He lights up when his sisters come to play with him. He loves to grab his daddy's hair, on his head and his face! and speaking of daddy, from the moment we laid eyes on him we realized he looked just like him! His legs, his chest, his face, all daddy! he got my blue eyes though, it makes a beautiful combination with his dark hair. Right now Austin's favorite activities are playing in his mega-saucer (loudly i might add), and exploring the floor. just a few minutes ago he was eating a piece of cardstock paper that annie had ripped off a dvd case and left in the floor! We've officially entered the "must scan the floor constantly" phase. Austin's favorite baby foods are bananas and peas, and he hates bottles. My prayer for him is that he will be a Godly man, a good husband, and someday, a good daddy.