Letter to My Kids

Dear Charlie, Esme, and Henry,

You have been such fantastic helpers this week - thank you!  We've been getting the house ready for our visit to southern Illinois.  This means cleaning and using up the food in the refrigerator. The two of you have helped cook, dust, sweep, and pick up.

For the third week of advent, we've been talking about baby Jesus's birth and lit the pink candle.  You are still loving the advent celebrations.  Charlie, you made your own wreath this week and hung it in your and Esme's room.  Esme, you are getting so much better at attempting to blow out the candles.  Once you get the hang of it, we'll be in trouble because we won't be able to keep the candles lit during our readings and songs.

Charlie and Esme, we have started a new chore/behavior system.  For each time that you show God's love (doing your tasks cheerfully, sharing, taking turns, being nice to others, among others), you earn minutes toward screen time.  For each time that you purposefully decide to not show God's love, 30 seconds are taken away from your screen time.  So far, you have enjoyed it.  It seems to be working well.

Henry, you are kicking and moving more. You must be having a growth spurt because my appetite and fatigue has increased.  We had your sonogram and quad screen readings in. Your sonogram was normal and that you do not have spina bifida.  We are still waiting to hear the remaining quad screening results for Down's syndrome, Edward's syndrome, and anencephaly.  Those are so rare, that we are not really concerned about the results returning positive. 

Did you know that I am writing to you from a train?  Well, I am!  I am on my way to see Great-Grandma Jane for her birthday.  Marmee and I are meeting in Kansas City and will be staying with Gramps and Gran.  I'll see you Sunday evening, and I just can't wait.  I miss you already.    

Love you forever,
     Mama