Lynlie is 4

 I really would love to get better at actually writing a post for each of the kids birthdays so I can remember and capture them at that age, but you know sometimes we just get so caught up living life, and I would almost prefer to live in the moment, but then I go back and look at pictures and things and I hate that they grow so fast and all I want to do is remember them when they were small. So I'm super late on this one, but here we go....

Lynlie is 4! Where have the last 4 years gone??? I'm so dumbfounded that she is 4. There aren't enough words in the English language to adequately describe this child. She is absolutely wonderful and loving. She is a bright spot to everyday, she brings me joy everyday and my heart physically hurts when I look at her and think about how quickly she is growing. 

She is obsessed with being a big sister. Part of this honestly surprised me. She has been so obsessed with me since she was born, not wanting anything to do with so many other people that I was worried how she would react having to share me with a new baby, but honestly she has taken to her big sister roll very well! Sometimes shes a little more "hands on" than I would like and I can't leave her alone with him, but she is so helpful, loving and I swear she would squeeze him all day if I let her (and he tolerates everything she does to him--BEST BABY EVER)

So on her actual birthday she started preschool. I was really emotional about it. I don't like sharing my kids on their birthdays with school but the first day is kind of special so I took her and she was so excited! She can be a bit crazy (what 4 year old isn't) and she was like jumping all over the van and just beyond excited about going. She was a little nervous but overall was more excited. 

I met her at pickup with balloons and tried to make her feel so special. We had a small family party at our house later that night with close family and I hope she felt so much love, the way she makes everyone else feel around her.

Lynlie,

How you are 4 I will never quite understand. You are my sunshine in a grey day. You are so smart, kind, and just have a way about you that is unmatched. You make everyone you are around feel so loved and so special. You always compliment people on what they are wearing, how they are wearing their hair or something that you can tell you just make that person feel so loved and special for you to notice such a thing about them. You have a FIERCE love for me and your family. LIKE FIERCE! you love with your whole soul and that love is radiated through all that you do. 

You are such a beautiful little girl inside and out, you talk CONSTANTLY, and honestly it can be quite overwhelming at times. You love for things to be done just like you like them and you are not afraid to let people know when they fall short of your expectations (we may need to real this in a big little girl). But you are also so loving and giving. You have a love for Jesus and a thirst to learn more about your faith that I just adore. 

Birthday Breakfast is of course Doughnuts

such a big girl on her way to the car for preschool

is it even your birthday if mom doesn't get you a cake pop to eat on your way to school?

off to preschool!!!

Can you guess which child is mine? 

Finally have my girl back to celebrate her turning 4!!!!

Bluey Cake for my girl

Birthday party Pictures

Baby girl somehow you grew another year older on me. I love you so much and am so grateful you are ours. This life is so much better because of you. You are my sunshine on a cloudy day and make me a better mom and person everyday. I LOVE YOU BABY GIRL!!! SO SO MUCH!!!

Lynlie is THREE

 Lynlie, Lynlie Lynlie, where do I even start?? You're 3!!! You're my baby. Likely my last baby...how is it possible for you to be 3??? I swear time is going at supersonic speed!! It's so hard to believe that you're three.

This has been an interesting year to say the least. Something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. We are living through a global pandemic. Covid is no joke and the repercussions of it are heart breaking!!! To say that you've made things more challenging might be an understatement. But you've taken it all in stride and have been a bright spot in a very confusing time.  You are a wonderful little human but girl you're a challenge and thats likely because you are my clone. 100% personality, looks the whole thing!!! 

Lynlie,

You really are a gem. You really can be absolutely hilarious at times. In a time when the state of the world is so heartbreaking you come in with you strong will, punch drunk personality and just lighten the mood. However in the same breath you COMMAND all my attention be on you AT ALL TIMES! (Hence why living through a pandemic where Daddy and I are still working, and mommy now has to be full time teacher is a bit of a challenge). But when all our attention can be on you, you relish it.

You are constantly into everything, I really have to keep an eye on you, Especially when it comes to you wearing CLOTHES!!! you will change your outfit 5x a day if I let you, OR you'll just run around in your underwear (thank you for being potty trained early!! {2.5 yrs old}). You love to stay up late with me and I love our one on one time. I love that you finally sleep and sleep in!!! I love staying up late, talking, and watching movies with you, but most of all I love that you sleep like your siblings used to before they started school, and will sleep until 9:30 or later!!  

I have never had a child as fiercely independent as you. I could always talk your siblings into doing things my way instead of theirs. Oh NOT YOU. NO MA'AM. You get it in your head that you want something done your way and there is no changing that mind of yours. You often have be the one who gets anything I ask for, and will throw a fit if someone else does it. But I try to relish your strong personality because I know it will take you so far in this world. I hope you never lose you drive, your independence and your loyalty. I can see you doing such HUGE things in this world and I'm excited to watch you grow. 

As you can tell, Lynlie you have a big personality. A personality that challenges me daily but one that I'm so forever grateful for. You teach me patience and grace every day and most of all you really do teach me to be a better mom. Your smile and love for me is unconditional and I just love it. You are so precious and I'm so grateful to be your mom!!! LOVE YOU SO MUCH baby girl!!! 

love, MOM