Happy 6th Birthday Audrey

Happy birthday my sweet girl! You are 6 now and I really can't believe it. You have grown up so much over this past year during kindergarten and have truly brought me so much joy through watching you interact with the people and world around you. I wish I could turn back time to have you again as a baby even for just a day. I am so thankful that you still like to be snuggled and loved on. Here is a bit about you and your personality:

You love "group hugs".

You learned how to stand up for yourself this year in kindergarten after being bullied by two little girls...God gave you strength and wisdom on how to deal with it and you have been making great choices in friends.

You love your "scratch backs" in the morning before you wake up and always want more. You are like me...you ave a hard time waking up in the morning!

You ask every day after you get in the car from school if you can get ice-cream.

You are kind and compassionate towards the children in your class.

You love your teacher, Mrs. Donielson, even though she isn't the most kind and often was patronizing.

You love your brothers beyond belief.

You are always saying, "I feel so loved." or "I know I am loved." as you give me a big hug. You melt my heart every time.

You love to give your daddy hugs when he gets home and can't stay in your chair once you hear the garage.

If you had it your way every day, your clothes would be play/comfy clothes and your hair would be down, and occasionally you would wear your sparkly bunny ears headband.

You love to get your nails painted at the salon and soak your feet while sitting in the big chairs.

Yesterday you said you want to work at the hospital like me. :)

You are teachable...you allowed me to give you a swim lesson and had a great attitude about it. You also take advice from me when it comes to relationships with friends.

You are friendly and always say hi to those you recognize and make friends easily.

You love chocolate...you requested a triple layer triple chocolate cake this year! Yay for me!

Your presents were all things Trolls and Shopkins. Your favorite present was your Trolls dinner tray for movies nights. It was my favorite too!

You love stuffed animals and buy them whenever you can.

You love to imitate your brother Jack and take care of your brother Sam.

You always fall asleep on the coach or at the end of movies at the theater.

You love to spend time with me. I hope that never ends. I hope we become best friends one day.

Sometimes you can get feisty when yelling at Jack.

You love to draw and color, especially with your new smelly markers.

What is your full name? Audrey Day Trauth

How old are you? 6

Favorite color? Turquoise, pink, purple

Favorite toy? Snoopy

Favorite fruit? Strawberries

Favorite tv show? Peter Rabbit

Favorite thing to eat for lunch? Nachos and hotdogs and grapes

Favorite outfit? Probably my heart shirt with pink shorts

Favorite game to play? Rock Monster

Favorite snack? What are those things you can stick on your finger? Yeah, Bugles

Favorite animal? Bunnies

Favorite song? Down to the River

Favorite book? My baby book

Who is your best friend? My brothers

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with my brothers

Favorite drink? Orange juice

Favorite holiday? Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Snoopy

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Nutella bagels

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chikfila

What do you want to be when you grow up? Baker

What is your favorite thing to do with daddy? Play Rock Monster

and mommy? Going to the pool with me

and Jack? Play tag

and Sam? Play tag

If you could have any superpower what would it be? Everything, actually nature

Favorite super hero? Batman

Do you think you will get married one day? To whom? Yes, Dada
Tell me about Jesus. I love him. I believe in Jesus. God loves you.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this precious daughter that you have blessed us with. What a privilege to raise a daughter and especially this one. How did we get so lucky to have the best little girl in the world?! Lord I pray that you would equip us as parents to be able to train her and teach her in your ways. I pray that she would follow you all of her days never once wavering in her faith or questioning your goodness. Lord I pray that the pain and hard things in her life would be motivation for her to draw closer to you. I pray that she would always be a peacemaker and that others would want to know you because of her. I pray that you would bless her with godly friends. I also pray that you would compel her and her future husband to stay pure until they get married and that they would find joy in waiting for one another. I pray that she would find her spouse at a young age and that you would protect her from getting distracted along the way. I pray for healthy relationships between Audrey and her brothers and between us and Audrey. I pray that you would instill in her heart early on your purpose for her and that she would follow you closely seeking your will every step of her life. Amen.

Happy 2nd Birthday (Baby) Sam!

Happy birthday sweet baby Sam! Two feels like you aren't a baby any more but I can pretend I suppose. We celebrated your birthday with a dinosaur party with the Sodds and your new friend Sebastian. You had a blast despite your teething pain. You even developed super powers...the ability to put fire out with your figure tip. Eek! On your actual birthday we played with Sebastian and then later picked up Chik-fil-a and went to the neighborhood park. A perfect day for a perfect boy. We love you so much much Sam. I can't imagine our life without you. You bring us so much joy and so much laughter. I pray that you will come to know Jesus at an early age and that you will follow Him closely all of the days of your life. I pray that you come to understand grace and unconditional love which Jesus gives freely to those who follow Him. I praise God for your and the gift of having you as my son. Here are so fun and sweet things about you dear one:

You can say the following words: mama, ball, roar, me-me (kitty), eee (cheese), Batman, Papa, baby, ra-ra (rabbit), minion.
You are very good at answering yes and no with your head...and typically you have "yes days" or "no days" depending on your mood.
You are very affectionate and friendly.
You are very comfortable going into the childcare at the gym, BSF, prayer group and church.
You still nurse 3 times/day (when you wake up, before nap and before bed.)
You have great ninja skills (when you don't want something I am trying to feed you.)
You love to imitate your brother and sister.
Your (still blonde) hair sticks straight up.
You are cutting your two-year molars right now and are very crabby. :)
You love sleeping with your mo-mo, monkey and Roar.

Happiness

Audrey said to me tonight "Mommy, I know you have the Holy Spirit because you are happy!"
Melts my heart.


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Random Quotes and Loves

Oh these three children are so precious to me. I think back to when I had one...able to document every day and every moment. I hope none of my kids think I love them any less by the number of things written down. You three kids keep me busy to say the least...I would rather be in the moment than writing it down or blogging about it. But I had to write a few things down so as not to forget...so sweet and precious are these days.

Sam loves his giant Spider-Man... when he says it he sings it in a high voice and says Bataan in a low voice but it sounds like buttman. Lol

Jack calls Audrey Mrs.

Sam loves Minions.

Sam learned how to make kissing noises.

Jack's old man impression

Sam's obsession with nee-nee

Sam points to his mouth to remind me to let him give kisses to everyone at night

Sam holds Spider-Man, Peter Rabbit while nursing and doing the hand motions to his songs


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Gracious God Who Delights in My Children

The other week, Audrey's teacher sent home a note that she felt Audrey had been mean to Evander, the new student, by touching the crayon box that made him upset. I spoke with Audrey extensively and determined that her intentions were not to be mean. I did email her teacher and explain that Audrey and I were confused by her word choice. The following week during one of Audrey's "specials", she noticed that Evander was having a difficult time. Audrey approached the teacher and asked if she would be allowed to help him. She took Evander's hand and calmed him down. The next day was Evander's birthday and he chose Audrey to go down to the office to receive his birthday ribbon. The week before, after Audrey had been called mean, I had prayed with the ladies in my MIP group about this situation. God, you are so gracious to remind my daughter that you delight in her and that you know her true heart. Thank you for reminding her of her worth through another student...the very student she was accused of being mean to. Lord, thank you for protecting her and for caring so much about her.

Jack told me a story about when he bought his red sparkly pencil from the machine at school at the beginning of the year. He lost it shortly after. Recently he figured out that Addison had found it and had it in her box. He told her she could keep it. Lord I am so thankful for this tender giving heart that you've given Jack.

The other night Audrey came downstairs after she had been put to bed. She was asking me to pray with her that she wouldn't have bad dreams. Instead of immediately praying, I gave her a speech about how she was sinning each night by continually coming out of her bed. Shame on me. I told her that she could pray to God any time she wanted and that He was listening. She said, "He does?". I told her that he bends down to hear our prayers every time we talk to him. She was in awe at thinking that God would listen to her at any moment and that she could talk to him at any time. I almost missed the chance to share this precious truth because I was so focused on her behavior. God thank you for forgiving me and for being so gracious.

Happy Valentine's Day 2017

Dearest Jack Harrison,

Happy Valentine’s Day sweet boy! Daddy and I love you so very much and are so privileged to be your parents. Here are a few things that we love about you:

Your creativity in everything you do

Your artistic creations

Your affectionate spirit

Your care and concern for how others feel

Your love for Jesus, which is shown through how you treat other people and how you choose to obey Him

Your beautiful eyes that take our breath away 

Your willingness to share your thoughts

Your super silly personality that brings so much joy to our family 

The amazing love your have for your brother and sister 

The way you lay on mommy’s lap every morning when waking up

Your willingness to share Jesus at your school

The fact that you like to sleep in your underwear 

Your persistence when learning something like origami or soccer

How you love to go around the house without a shirt

How you are so good at the Whip/Nae Nae

We will always love you no matter what and no matter where!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Dearest Audrey Day, 

What a privilege it is to be your mommy and daddy! We love you so very much and always will. Here are a few things that we love about you: 

Your wonderfully contagious smile

Your generous heart and willingness to share

Your tender loving care over your baby brother

Your courage and willingness to try new things

Your love of Jesus, which is shown through your love of others and your excitement to learn more about Him

Your group hugs

Your happy spirit, which brings so much joy to our family

Your kind heart

Your beautiful smile that makes our hearts melt

Your desire to bring joy to others by giving them gifts and drawings

The way you line up your animals in your bed just like mommy did when she was little

The way you change your pajamas 100 times before going to bed

The way you love to be a bug after your bath every night

The way you like to be crazy with Jack

We will always love you no matter what and no matter where! 

Love, Mommy and Daddy

We think you are ROARSOME!!! We love you Sam and always will!

We will love you no matter what and no matter where!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

 

Santa 2016

This year my heart broke just a little bit more. Jack came home saying that Arabella mentioned that Santa wasn't real. I told him that I would talk to him later when Audrey wasn't around. His eyes got big and there was silence. I told him I didn't want her to go to school saying that. That seemed to appease him and I hear nothing else that day.

A few days later, I was sitting at my computer and in comes Jack, robed in his soft gray blanket. (He sleeps in only underwear...hot natured like his daddy I suppose.)

Jack: Mommy, Arabella says Santa isn't real and I just don't know what to think. I don't know if he is real and I just keep thinking about what you said about not talking about it around Audrey and (on and on).

Me: (The only thing that I could think to say was "Well, what do you think?" which is what my mama had said. I didn't say that. I had decided to be honest. After a long pause and making sure to soak in every second of his precious ramble, I said...). Jack, do you want me to tell you the truth? Santa isn't real.

Jack: He's not? He's not? (Eyes up toward the ceiling and wheels turning.)

Me: No. I am so sorry. Are you sad?

Jack: A little.

Me: Me too.

Jack: But what about the cookies? Who eat the cookies?

Me: (I raised my hand and Jack smiled).

Jack: But what about the note? I asked if Rudolf was real and I told my music class I believed he was real.

Me: He's not real. I wrote the note.

Jack: You did!?

Me: Yes. And now you have to keep the secret! Audrey is still young and so is Sam so you have to help me make sure they still believe.

Jack: Ok!

We hugged. I teared up. He asked me why I was sniffling. No mention of the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy...yet.

Sam is 21 months!

Oh Sam! I promise we love you...we are just keeping very busy as your mom and dad. We do love every little milestone but somehow as more children are born less is recorded. I pray you never take any offense or feel less loved.

Annnnnd of course I never got back to finish this one. 😂

But will you live?

Some time ago...unfortunately I did not write this down immeditately. I believe Jack was either 7 or 8.

Mommy, sometimes I think about a big fiery pit where a bad guy is forcing me to decide whether to throw my Legos in or my family members. I always end up choosing my Legos but it is a hard decision. (Tears).

Jack, do you know something? If I had to choose whether I would go into the fiery pit or you, I would die for you. (more tears from both of us).

God immediately said to me, "Yes but will you live for him?". I knew what this meant. Would I sacrifice food and self-satisfaction in order to live a healthy life for my children. The answer was "yes" and indeed I did begin to follow the Lord in this area of my life.

Daddy's First Smile from Sam 4.4.15