Miss Addie Turns 4!

Wow, I am terrible at updating this blog! So sorry! Sometimes I get so busy experiencing life that I don't take the time to stop, reflect, and document about it. At any rate, our Addie girl turned 4 this month! I can't believe how fast she's grown. I'm sad to admit that the last four years have been kind of a blur with her. I remember Eliana's first years so clearly because she was the first to have all the "firsts." Then Addie came along so quickly we didn't really take the time to soak up all her developmental milestones. Not to mention she's definitely the quietest of the three, so she often takes backstage to her sisters. She reminds me the most of myself, not only physically, but personality-wise, too. Now we have Olivia who is the constant entertainer... we couldn't ignore her if we tried! Our sweet Addie is becoming more and more mature each day. She is still the most strong-willed of our children, but she has come a LONG way since the "temper tantrum-throwing days of the terrible twos... and three's!" She's super affectionate and loves to be held, hugged, and kissed. If she had it her way, she'd still be the "baby" (and some days still is) and spend all day in my lap. She's starting to pick up on her academic learning as well. She really surprised us the other day when she asked Miller how to spell "love." Miller quickly said, "l-o-v-e" and she walked over to her paper and remembered how to write it. Then she added "DAD" and "MOM" under "LOVE" all on her own! I had no idea she could spell anything other than her name. She also knows how to spell "Eliana." Besides drawing, Addie loves anything that has to do with princesses, and she still loves dancing. We enrolled both Eliana and Addie in dance classes last winter, and they both really enjoy it. Addie decided she wanted a ballerina theme for her birthday party, so that's what we did. We kept the guest list really small and invited mainly family, mostly because our house is back up on the market and it's really hard to plan events at our house when we never know if someone is going to want to come and see it. We had some of Addie's favorite foods: macaroni and cheese and Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets, and of course, cake! I made her a ballerina birthday cake and had SO much fun doing it. The girls dressed in their ballet leotards, and they donned pretty purple hair accessories made by my best friend, Michelle. Here are just a couple shots from her big day:




We love you, Adaleigh Beth! Our biggest hope and prayer for you is that you will come to put your trust in the Lord one day. May He use you in a mighty way for His glory!