almost 6!

Sweet little Josie. You are only a few weeks away from turning 6. Where has the time gone? I am blown away at how grown up you seem. You use such big words and say things that I just wonder how you even know. You are reading and slowly but surely getting faster! You are an amazing artist. You were dead set on getting a "bob with bangs" haircut and you did and it is the cutest thing ever- really coming into your own fashion wise! You are very motivated to earn $ and are willing to work hard for it with doing extra chores. You are so imaginative and engage your sister in pretend play 80% of our days ;) You are still such a mama's girl- confident in going to Sunday school and BSF or with your dad or grandmas, but other than that...lots of tears! And you cannot stand being home when I am not- always the melt downs when I try to leave to go out for a date with dad or a mom's night out. I love that you are so attached to me. Sometimes, it feels overwhelming how you talk to me allllllll the time. Like seriously- I have to tell you to give me some quiet time. And I have to listen and engage in the conversation because I want you to know that I care about all you have to say haha. Exhausting. But I *pray* that this turns into you telling me everything going on in your beautiful mind as a teenager and walking me through all your adventures in dating and wanting to come have lunch with me AT LEAST once or twice a week after you're all grown up and moved away. Actually, you really really want us to build our house with a little apartment that you can move into after you grow up. and we totally are. right now, it will just be an unfinished area or maybe a playroom. and then eventually Ita and Abuelo will move into it (we think?). and then its for you or your siblings! such a fun thing to be able to do- to be able to bless you guys with free rent as young adults and during college. or even as newlyweds or when you have your first baby or two! and I am so excited to get to have my babies close to me <3 it would be so hard if you up and moved across the country. I would miss you so so so so so much. you are my constant shadow! you aren't very into sports... we have been taking swimming lessons and you are doing amazing being brave, but you have zero interest in trying any other sports- especially team sports ha. you also take your dad's First Tee class and love that, but you mainly loved one little girl (Chloe) who we just found out won't be in your same class this next season..so we will see how it goes! You love to be upstairs with your Ita and Abuelo and get sad talking about moving. We will *hopefully* be moved in by the time you turn 7, so we are letting you kiddos enjoy lots of special time with them. it was such a gift to see your relationships with them become so strong! We always thought we would move way quicker, and promised you a cat for your 6th bday.... not gonna happen til we move! so we are getting you a beta fish this year. I am excited to see you take responsibility for your own pet :) Let's see... you became a big sister again this year! You are SO sweet with baby Zeke. You carry him around all over the place and are always asking if you can have a turn with him now. You love babies in general- you love to come and serve in the church nursery with mom & dad and love to be around babies- in homeschool connection, you would stay in the nursery to "direct" play hahaha. I loved babies as a little girl too- I foresee motherhood in your future! and I can't wait. you can't either- you always confirm that I will babysit your kids for you when you need a break. I love that! you have been saying some hilarious things lately- like the other day, I was wearing my fav purple glasses and was dressed to leave and my outfit was mostly black. and you said, "I am not saying this to say that you look bad. but are you going to wear those glasses?" and then you went on to explain that I should switch to the black ones haha. and you were talking about how if people were in the desert and dying of thirst, they could drink their own pee to survive (so gross and why my 5 year old knows that...not sure). and then you said, "For boys, it would be just like drinking out of a drinking fountain!" HAHAHA.

Fav toy: Samantha

 Fav fruit: pineapple

Fav movie: Frozen 2

Fav outfit: sparkly red dress

Fav game: Hoot Owl Hoot

Fav food: Mac'n'cheese

Fav animal: cats

 Fav song: Into the Unknown

 Fav book: Sofia and the Curse of Princess Ivy

 Best friend: Allison

 Fav cereal: Honey Bunches

 Fav thing to do outside: Swing

 Fav drink: Chocolate milk

 Fav holiday: Christmas

Fav thing: bed

how will we celebrate your 6th bday day: well we will be in California with all our extended family and having a party at Oma's clubhouse- we are planning a bbq, park play, and some simple décor. we will probably make special cupcakes together. you planned this whole "March bday party" thing (Uncle Dave, Maddy, Olivia) in Cancun almost a whole year prior and just kept talking about it... so we are making it happen ;) 

What will you be when you grow up: a teacher

did i tell you? (from grandma)

notes that my mama wrote for me and gave to me on my 16th birthday. I wanted to write them down for you to have someday too <3 

dear Johanna.... did I tell you?? 

...now that you are almost grown- i look back and ask my self- did i tell you? 

did i tell you all that i meant to tell you- all that i felt was important? did i tell you- or was it lost in the shuffle of our everyday lives? the busy, full days- when i was teaching you, but didn't know it. 

what did i teach? was it strong? was it good? will it root you in something real that will allow you to grow with a firm and sound foundation? .... did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to love? 

not with a "fair weather" love, but with a love that builds others up- a love that accepts and cherishes- a love that encourages people to be the best they can be. 

not with a quick and changeable love...but with a love that brings strength and peace to your heart... did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to be thoughtful? not to be a martyr or a "doormat"- to be stepped on- but to be aware of other people and their needs. to meet others with an open mind and heart and within your own framework be able to "meet them halfway"...and, on occasion- to go the other half- joyfully... did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to be courteous and polite? not to display empty manners with no real meaning- but to live-out the courtesy that is born of caring. and to express this caring through the small formalities and the customs born of the years...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to look for ways to serve other people? to actively search for ways to give of yourself? there is much growth and satisfaction in being a part of something larger than yourself- and your life will be richer for knowing this...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to find a part of nature that you love? let it speak to you and know it intimately and well... perhaps it is a mountain peak, or a wind-swept beach or a companion animal. find your own- and in it find restoration and joy...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to be bold and confident? to be not afraid of the unknown- but to live your life to the fullest...and to meet each new experience with joy and anticipation. and...did i tell you to be cautious and discerning? to temper your daring and sense of adventure with good judgment and wise consideration?...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to maintain a sense of the past? to recall and to uphold all tha tis good and meaningful in your country- in your society- and in your family. to never be afraid to speak out when you don't believe or where there is room for improvement....work for what you believe but work in a positive way within a structure of order and reason...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to laugh? to dance? to sing? there is so much in life that is hard- but take it as it comes and practice finding the good...and always, always make time to laugh...did i tell you? 

...did i tell you to be creative? to make the effort- to explore the unique seed that is within you- find your creative spirit- nurture it, and let it grow...did i tell you? 

and...did i tell you the joy and challenge of being a woman? the joy of having a child- of knowing and sharing a new life? the satisfaction of making a home...the center- but not the limit for the lives of those you love....did i tell you the wonder of falling in love and sharing your life with a man who treasures you? the contentment of being in a lifetime committed relationship that can bless others and bring glory to God?...did i tell you? 

...did I tell you to always trust in the goodness of your Heavenly Father? there will always be disappointment, set-backs, and even heart-breaking losses...but your Creator loves you- and is working all things for good...did i tell you? you are created for eternity, not for time...so live like it... did i tell you? 

...did I tell you these things as we went along the way? if I did, then I am humbly grateful. if I did not- well then you must choose for yourself. your life is yours to build as you choose...and- did I tell you?? I hope it will be a good life.... 

I love you, forever... Mom