a peak: Letters to the Littles

Dear Cade, You are such a stud 6 (almost 7) year old. Not only are you super smart, but you are super witty too. Jokes come out of nowhere for you and I love that. You are an amazing big brother to your little sister and Mr. Coleser. Thank you for always showing enthusiasm about everything and for doing your best work with what you're given - whether it's painting a mural, learning to dive into the pool, or playing basketball.

What is so great is that you continue to strive towards your best even when you've failed prior...like when you were learning to catch that ball while jumping into the pool. You tried and tried and tried and FINALLY YOU GOT IT! But you didn't stop there...you wanted to keep doing it, with your best effort, until you caught it multiple times. Wow. You are a hard worker, Cade. You taught me a bit about persistence this last week and for that, I am thankful.

I pray you grow up desiring to do well in life, but not for the benefit of you, but for the benefit of making Christ known. I pray you are able to realize that we live in darkness and perfection is not attainable except through the saving work of Jesus on the cross. I love you, boy. Thanks for being so darn witty and teaching me to not give up. It reminds me of Paul in Phillipians 3.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. {Phillipians 3:12-14}

Press on, boy.

Miss Grace. You are all bits of crazy...in a good way. I had SO much fun with you this last week. I have loved watching your personality evolve over the past few years and can't wait to see how it grows even more as your grow up. I know we have told you this all growing up, but you are such a wonderful balance of girly girl meets play in the mud girl. We used to laugh about how you would be in a tutu playing in the mud. That is definitely you.

I saw it evolve even more this last week.

I saw you hold your own with your brothers; I saw you make your point known; I saw your ability to keep things ordered and in control. But, then I also saw this gentle way about you...how you would help your little brother on the play ground, how you would share anything and everything given to you, and how you would cuddle oh so well (I can see already what a great nurturer you will be!)

So many people think that a woman of the Lord is one who stands idle, who is gentle and quiet. But looks at Proverbs 31! This woman has strength. She has dignity. She plants vineyards. She is orderly. She speaks (with wisdom). She does not eat the bread of idleness.

Girl. You are beautiful. You taught me this week to not eat the bread of idleness. To stand strong and work hard, but in a gentle way. I have struggled so much lately feeling that I don't have a purpose...as I sit at home without a job tending to the ways of my household...but that is such a lie. I have an opportunity now to work hard and to manage my home well. Thank you for reminding me of that; thank you for reminding me of my calling to be a woman who takes action, yet still submits, honors, and reveres my husband.

And I pray just that for you, miss. I pray you grow into a strong woman who fears the Lord...who manages her household well...but who still submits to her husband as the church submits to Christ. I am definitely still learning much about that.

Keep playing in the mud. Keep painting your nails. Keep eating paleo if you want to (but I know you secretly like the sugar). Keep growing into the woman the Lord has called you to be.

Love you, pretty pretty princess.

Coleser. Cole Beart. Colbert Report. Cheese. That's right. You are such a cheese. You made me want to have kids so much sooner than Uncle Mark and I are planning... like now. Tell your mom that proably won't happen though...even though it would be nice to have a cousin close to your age. Just wait 2 more years :)

I just love your smile. You smile at everything. And then you have this look. This look that I think is kind of flirtacious and mom and dad better watch out for when you grow up....this look of "Yeah, I know I'm cute...and I know you know it." It's pretty cute. It's real cute.

Anyhow. You, sir, are a delight. Thank you for smiling at every possible moment. Thank you for your manners. Thank you for gladly doing what Nana and I asked you to (except with that instance of the grape and the couple times of climbing out of your crib).

Side note: I hope this means that you'll be a stud rock climber. My bet is in and I say yes.

I love that you listen and you obey well. If you do something wrong and you are told no, you stop pretty immediately. You aren't too stubborn and you don't get upset that easily. I'm not saying you're perfect. I'm just saying, by the grace of God, you are often quick to obey and quick to forgive...and quick to smile :)

Thank you for reminding me to rid myself of stubbornness and bitterness that I often hold.

Thank you for reminding me to smile in a cheese kind of way sometimes.

CHEESE!!!