Things I want my children to remember!

I started this post a while back and have been adding to it for some time now. I was thinking about key things that I would want my munchkins to remember about their childhood. Obviously, first and foremost, Robbie and I have the awesome job of raising our children to know Christ! A little pressure on us...but how cool is that? I want them to remember going to church, reading bible stories and just remember putting Him first. The other thing I want my children to remember while looking back on their childhood is that Robbie and I loved them with everything we had! I pray they look back and think, 'Wow, I was loved!' I pray one day Kole, Alexie & Kylie will be able to read how blessed I was to have them in my life!

I could have never in a million years dreamed of the life I have now. The past 6 years there have been many ups and downs. I probably spent the first 4 years focusing on all the downs. I could not let go of things that went wrong and forgot to remember what was important. After watching my little babies grow into these little children and now Kole turn into a little man (with his own unique thoughts, personality, etc)...well, there are no words to describe it. I look at Kylie and cannot even imagine her at Kole's age right now. How fast has the time gone by?

I sat just a moment ago in the quiet and watched our screen saver flash picture after picture of our life. It was like a gigantic puzzle. It skipped around and as it did I remembered each moment as if it happened yesterday. I could give you details of each picture. And as much as Alexie and Kylie look alike as babies, I could tell you who was who in each picture. Pictures flashed of Lex in Kole's Power Ranger suit with pigtails in her hair and I remember that day and the steaks we cooked on the grill. My brother, Kyle asleep on our couch. Kole's baseball team praying after a game this spring. The pumpkin Patch. Kole in the bumper cars (age 3). Alexie riding in daddy's tool box on wheels that mommy got him for Christmas. Day old pictures of all three of my beautiful children. Kole dressed as a UT football player (age 2). The picture we just took at the State Fair and I was worried that the ice cream on Alexie's face would show up in the picture...Now, I am so thankful it does!! Kole sleeping with his baseball in his hand that his Uncle Kyle gave him. Alexie's first gymnastics class...her first activity to do by herself! Kole doing dishes. My brother, Chris wearing the traditional funny face glasses with a mustache at Alexie's 2nd birthday party. Kylie the morning after her ER stay with the craziest hair ever! Our Wedding Day. Daddy tickling Ky to death! Kole singing in the church choir (age 3). Birthdays, Birthdays and MORE Birthdays....I pray for many more! Kole and two of his good buds at school. In the waiting room for Alexie's first surgery. Kylie standing up for the first time. Kole with a patch on his eye (age 2). All of the different places we have lived....that shows history. Me pregnant...never thought I would appreciate those pictures. Now I am grateful that I got to do that THREE times! Having all three children dedicated at our church. Robbie's 26th birthday and going away party for the Army....oh, how that made us stronger! Alexie's first roses. Kole and Alexie feeling the inside of a pumpkin for the first time. Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving. Reading the Christmas story every morning of December 25th before we do anything else. Kylie's first bath. Robbie's 30th birthday party...I could go on and on! Once again proving how blessed I am. So I will leave my three sweet munchkins with a letter that one day they can come back and read just how special they are. And to think I love them that much after only 5 years, 3 years and 9 months with each of them?

Robert 'Kole' was born February 14, 2002

(Left: Kole just a week old. Right: Present)

Kole,
You are the smartest little guy I know. Every night you sit down and draw picture after picture and I am still amazed at how well they all turn out. You are so determined! You love to play. You love to compete. You love to be moving. You have to have some sort of ball with you at all times. You have the kindest heart. You are always worried if someone is hurt...you want to help them. You are an encourager! You can say the best prayers, EVER! You are curious...therefore you ask questions. You love to learn about God and go to church. You are so smart! You remember things that happened two years ago. And most of all, you love. You love so much it hurts. I am praying today and everyday for the most perfect, beautiful spouse (inside and out) that God is going to bring you. I pray that you can give her all that love that you have inside. I pray for God to be the center of that. I want you to know that I love you, my first born...you are such a special guy!

Alexie Ryann was born December 22, 2003

(Top: Alexie only hours old. Right: Present)

Alexie,
Oh, sweet girl! You are truly an individual! You are so determined and so strong willed (some may call it stubborn). For the longest I thought that was a negative thing....but I have learned that it can be such a positive thing! Because of that quality you are your own person...a true leader! The scary things is...you are a lot like me. I would normally say, 'bless your heart!', but I can't wait to see the young lady you develop in to! You love gymnastics and cheerleading...and are really great at both! You are absolutely beautiful. And smart. You are the best 'mommy'! You have this natural gift to nurture people. You (just like your brother) are so kind-hearted...you still ask about the lady that fell in the parking lot and hurt herself...you were so worried about her. That quality is priceless! I pray for you daily! I cannot wait to see the person you become...if it is anything like you are now....you will touch many lives! I love you, Alexie!

Kylie Rae was born January 10, 2007

(Left: 4 days old. Right: Present...crazy hair and all!)

Kylie,
In nine months you have developed such a little personality! You have such a sweet presence and you are a great baby! You have developed pretty fast. I was expecting you to just hang out and do things a little later since you have an older brother and sister (they love to do things for you!) But you have proved me wrong and been quite the over-achiever! You started sitting up at five months and at about five and a half months you would mimic me and wave to me. You love to clap...and you are so proud when you do! You have really started to communicate with me. You love to make this shrieking noise when you want something...or simply want my attention! And most of the time 'ole momma knows what you want! You are so happy. You are beautiful! I pray for you, my sweet baby, everyday. And I love you more than you can even comprehend now! I cannot wait to watch you grow and experience many more 'firsts'! I love you, Ky!