June Elizabeth: February 2020

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 June.... 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

June Elizabeth! My sweet baby girl. I am so thankful for your life and overjoyed to celebrate another year with you. You had a big year this last year- became a big sister, really started enjoying playing with your big sister and spent hours and hours lost in imagination goodness, became very picky about what foods you like (pretty much only carbs and fruit and cucumbers), grew a lot (have been in 4t for a while now vs. just starting 3t when you turned 3), intently watched Johanna homeschooling even though you didn't want to do any homeschooling yourself and have blown me away with how much knowledge you absorbed... what else? You never even say goodbye when I drop you off at Bible study or the church nursery- you just go right in and have so much fun. but you never make any friends either- at church, you have joint worship time with the other kids and you always go over to Johanna and hold her hand. and when I ask who you played with, you always say by yourself haha. You still have THE cutest toddler voice- a little bit lispy and saying things a little off- like blutterfly. I will never correct you because I love it. You are a little fashionista and very picky about what you wear. Usually always dresses. and if I let you, you would change clothes 5x a day. and you never pick it up- I often find your dirty clothes shoved in a drawer or behind your shoes. And that reminds me, you are such a messy little girl! You really really dislike cleaning up and usually cry loudly the entire time I make you. You 'clean" by just shoving everything into a box. and you are a bit of a hoarder...I have to go into your room every few days to clean out the area by your bed because you will put all kinds of crazy stuff in there- especially things you know I won't let you have in your room normally, like food and markers HAHA. I know I was kind of a crazy child and really kept my mom on her toes and you are just like I was...a little taste of my own medicine. I hope you get a little girl just like you someday too because it is hilarious and so much fun to be kept on my toes ;) but back to the messy, you are just messy too. like always spilling and always have food on your face or marker all over your dress ;) you LOVE sugar. like obsessed, asking for it all day long. I try not to deprive, but man.... you go a little crazy when you get some sugar in your system, so it is usually a once a day tiny treat. You are just starting to wean off your naps- you take them maybe 2 or 3 days a week now and those days you are up til 10pm. you come out every few minutes on those late nights saying, "Mommy. I have to tell you something." and when I ask all exasperated what you could possibly want now, you will say, "I love you!" all sweet hahahha you have lots and lots to tell us all the time, but you know when you better cut your losses and just butter us up. you love love love reading. you would sit and be read to all day, every day if you could. and while reading, you want to be in my lap or snuggled up on your bed. its the cutest. you will ask for "mommy snuggles" at bedtime and if I say yes and come lay in your bed, you will ask to "just read one tiny book while snuggling", no matter how many before bed books I already read. you are starting to really enjoy your role as big sister! but you are still pretty rough with Zeke. I say "Keep your hands to yourself" many times every day haha. You love to be outside and I can't wait to see you this summer- jumping on the trampoline, spinning on the swing, and riding your bike (which you have been too short for the past few years! Let's see... you love your sister the most. You two are almost always together and it is one of the sweetest parts of homeschooling for me- your friendship is beautiful! you fight often too, but when you play, it is precious. you have taken 4 swim classes this year and the past 3 have been with your sister- so cute to watch Jo have her arm around you as you walk to your class and make sure the teacher knows you are sisters by wearing matching swimsuits. Today, you have been playing baby and mama panda all morning. Johanna will pick you up and carry you around and then when she sets you down, you pretend you're a baby wandering off and she has to go chase you. What else? Oh! you LOVE to sing and dance. especially dance. It is absolutely precious and hilarious the way you just start breaking it down when music comes on. you have been playing "ice skating teacher" with me lately and you go put on some socks and make me copy what you're doing. You have just recently started asking me to play with you... Josie used to ask me ALL THE TIME til i was crazy, but you have primarily played with her, so I am excited to get to play with you! We went ice skating last month for a late Christmas gift and you were really quite good- always so brave! You have asked to go back many times and keep telling me that you might get really good at it if you could practice... too bad we live an hour away from any ice rinks. you always wear your shoes on the wrong foot- maybe on purpose? not quite sure. and you love to be naked... so many days, I have to remind you to wear underwear under your dress. we did show up to church sans undies one day- thank goodness i had some in the diaper bag. you and Johanna actually play a game called "noody booty" and run around naked- so funny. you love to color- so so much! you also love to cut with scissors and are good enough at it, but again messy... you leave tiny little scraps of paper everywhere...i go nuts! and you love to draw a tiny little drawing on a big piece of paper in a notebook and then rip it out and give it to someone... like so much wasted space? and you don't even try that hard- just a quick scribble with pen hahah. ok that is all I can think of for now... you are just so much fun! Fun is the word of the day for you- such a fun age, so many giggles, so much joy and laughter you bring into our house! we are so thankful for you! For your 4th bday, we had a sleepover with all the girl cousins (& gummie hung out with abuelo). we painted nails, did face-painting, baked cookies, ate mac'n'cheese, chicken nuggets, carrots and cucumbers for dinner, and watched Frozen! you wanted Frozen 2, but it isn't out of theaters yet. next day, your Ita and Abuelo took you and Jo to the theaters to see it though!! You got a special Grandma date- to Elmers and Target to pick out toys. and then on your special day, we had bible study, but we went out for lunch with Grandma after, I took you to Dutch Bros for a free bday drink, and then your Ita took you out to Red Robin for dinner! and then cake and presents... boy, you are one loved little girl <3 I hope you always remember that. I know you won't remember your party (well maybe...I just have a terrible memory!), but I pray that you remember feeling so celebrated and loved!! You are so important to me and I just pray that you and I will be close and that you will always want to confide in me and come to me for snuggles and encouragement. You are so independent, so I know it won't always be this way... soaking you up while you are still little <3 <3 <3

I love you, June! Happy 4th birthday!

Always & Forever,
Mama

Fav toy: MAMA "giggles"

Fav fruit: Apples

Fav movie: Frozen 2

Fav outfit: Skirts

Fav game: Hoot Owl Hoot

Fav food: Mac and Cheese

Fav animal: Unicorns and mean panda bears

Fav song: Somethings Never Change- Frozen 2

Fav book: Shopkins Magazine

Best friend: Mommy

Fav cereal: Honey Cereal

Fav thing to do outside: Jump on the trampoline

Fav drink: Apple Juice

Fav holiday: Christmas

Fav thing: Pencils... I mean purple aliens

how did we celebrate your 4th bday day: the actual day we went to Bible study in the morning and then out to Noodles'n'co with gramma! and then I took you out for a free Dutch Bros (along with brother to run to the store #middlechildproblems. we got a mini frost and after tasting it I just couldn't let you have more than like 5 sips SO sweet ha poor Junie). and then Ita took you and Jo out to Red Robin where you had more mac'n'cheese and a milkshake and they even gave you the free bday sundae! a few little gifts from mom and dad and a little cake at home to end the night! yikes so much celebrating. this was all in addition to your cousin sleepover party the weekend before and Ita and Abuelo taking you to see Frozen 2 in theaters and out for dinner and a special 1:1 date with gramma... spoiled <3

What will you be when you grow up: Ballerina Teacher

pedi in cancun! you were a trooper on that trip- so many upsets to your sleep schedule and naps, but you did great! you loved the smoothie bar and the little neck warmer and the special time with mama on this pedi date!

ice cream at the fair

always in a dress and tights

with Zula

post swimming lesson park time!

ooook some story here. you had skipped nap and were saying that you were so sleepy. and you asked to go up to get a tortilla from ita and then you apparently came down and just fell asleep right here on the floor in between the couch and the sliding glass door. didn't tell anyone. ita thought you were with me, I thought you were with ita. we looked for 20 minutes before eventually calling the police- saw you right as we called thank the Lord. everyone was running around looking and yelling and you slept through it all haha.