As of right now, the plan for us to move back to Illinois will be around June 2012! That seems like such a long time away, but I know it will be here before we know it. Of course, that date can change. I just keep thinking about how different the girls will be when we move back. Gracie will have just finished up kindergarten and Madelyn will be almost 4! That seems so crazy! I wonder what they will be interested in, how they will be getting along, if we will have any more kids.
Gracie is really into narrating her days and referring to herself as a baby in the third person. Most of her conversation goes like this, "Oh, the baby loves her mama. She found a nice warm cozy place to lay. Oh, the baby hurt herself. She's not happy." I'm sure by the time we move back, this phase will have passed.
She did surprise me yesterday. Most of the time she does not want to join us when we pray at night and just gets squirmy and laughs. We just tell her that we like to talk to God and she can join us if she wants to. Last night, my cousin Hayley was in labor with her little girl, Jillian, and I was telling Jim this at supper. Gracie was listening and asking questions about it, and then she asked if she could say a prayer for Hayley! My heart just melted. She also wanted us to say one for her when we went to bed.
Right now, Madelyn is into everything! She is our "push this out of the way, throw this, crawl over that, grab this with a grip of steel and never let go, throw a temper tantrum" baby. She is on the move so much more than Gracie ever was! And yet, she has a sweet side, too. She loves to give hugs and is happy most of the time.
I just can't wait to see how our family will be different when we move back. Only God knows what's in store, and I have to place my trust in him for our future.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Favorite Moments
Gracie has taken an interest in playing with some math manipulatives that I have. They are different shapes and colors and teach about fractions. She made a flower out of them. I just love when she gets creative with things like that!
Gracie serenaded Madelyn and me at lunch yesterday with her rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She pretended to be underwater, something she learned at church.
Gracie and Madelyn spent several minutes yesterday morning climbing in and out of the bottom of our kitchen chairs. Madelyn thought that was so fun!