Josie turns 4!

Dear Josie

Today you are 4 years old. We are so blessed to be your parents. You are curious and interested in many things. You like to negotiate and figure out how to get your way b/c according to you that's the best way. A typical phrase from you it, "Get it mom?" Fortunately you don't always get your way and I know that's an important thing for you to grasp at a young age. (Still working on it). You love to play. You love to fix things. One day recently you said, "I wish I was a boy so I can fix boy things like cars." We talked about how girls can fix cars too. When you wake up, often the first thing out of your mouth is "Can I play for 5 min?" The other thing you say when you wake up is, "Mom, come into my room please!" I love those mornings b/c you just want to snuggle before we start our day. You're into givings lots of hugs and kisses when we leave each other. You're usually not that happy to see us at the end of the day for pick up. Leaving almost any place is still really hard for you. We keep talking about being able to control your emotions and we're really praying you can stop and verbalize it before emotions kick in. It can be very unpleasant when you leave your friend's house. You feel very deeply at times and sometimes you aren't easily consoled. We're so thankful for your friendships. God has blessed you with some sweet little friends. Praying that you will be a courageous, loyal, dependable friend and that God will continue to bring friends that will be a good influence in your life. You've got your own style these days and often pick a very interesting outfit to wear. Usually I let you but sometimes I have a preference. Hopefully I'm learning that the battle probably isn't worth it and to not be so uptight about what you're wearing. You do have a very strong will and it gets you into trouble. You frustrate the dickens out of your mom and dad at times and it frustrates you as well.  We've had some spicy battles and it's no fun. It's so hard for you to obey at times and just do what you're told. You push our buttons and it's not easy for us to be firm immediately which then sets a bad pattern. There's never a winner in those b/c we all feel bad about what transpires. Thankfully you're learning how to forgive and ask forgiveness. Mercifully we have a great example in Jesus to follow and it will be a journey until we face him in eternity. It brings us such joy that you love Jesus. You love to sings songs about God. You like to pray for people when they're sick and you like to pray for your friends. You recently told me, "I love Jesus because he's so strong and so mighty." Of course your 4-yr old brain can only comprehend so much about what Jesus has done for you. We continue to pray that you will grow and learn and follow him all your days. We look forward to what your next year brings. We're so thankful for how healthy you've been and how smart and fun you are. We love you miss Josephine our beauty queen.
Love Dad and Mom

Updates from the last month

A budding artist.

 Showing off her princess jammies and her new cozy socks on Shuli's horse she borrowed.

 Josie went to the zoo with Adrianna's mom and brother.

 Visiting baby Alina.

 Izzy came for a play date and Adrianna was across the street in her driveway and wanted to join in the fun.

Pump it Up with Izzy

Finally put together Josie's basketball hoop that Gram and Papa gave her for C'mas. It took awhile b/c she said it was for boys. Recently she changed her mind and wanted to play so Josie and Daddy put it together and she had fun making some hoops. 

Making a basket from atop her dresser wearing the C'mas tree skirt.

Videos of playing basketball.

Fun at the Atherton Library.