Family

As we return from one side of the family's vacation, I'm struck with how much I want this season of life with you Kinsey Jewel to last a longtime.
Are you exhausting? Yes.
Are you the cutest bestest thing since sliced bread? Absolutely.
Are you my heart and my conscience? Yep.

I am certainly challenged by you as a parent, but also as a person.
There are just things that you do or say that bring to mind some weighty issues. Parenting is really for us parents to truly and finally grow up.
As if the first time I thought I was growing up was scary, now I'm terrified.
God works in mysterious ways sweetheart.
I love you,
All of you, the good and bad,
Heather Jo

I love to fart

So my love. You came down with a cold with a gross sounding cough.
Tonight I am relaxing on the couch when you get up from your nap and sit next to me. You remind me that Daddy doesn't want to touch your hands or face because he doesn't want to get sick....okay....
Minutes go by as Daddy and I are trying to finish a movie, when you let out three farts. Not one fart but three in a row. Daddy asks "WHAT was that?" I told him you farted, and you agree, it was you
Then you turn to me and say " don't touch my hands or face okay mommy?", when i didn't respond you grab my face with both hands and repeat yourself while talking right in my face.
Then just a millisecond later you turn to me and say " i love to fart."
Just matter-of-fact, no humor.
" i love to fart".

I.almost.peed.my.pants.laughing.

I sure love you Kinsey Jewel,
Love your momma,
Heather Jo

Art with Kinsey Jewel

Today I decided to take you to "create-a-memory", a paint/pottery/stained glass art studio here in town. I've been going for years, taking hours to paint one item.
So today we went to do just that- or so I thought.
We arrived and you picked out an M to paint in like ten seconds.
Immediately you were ready for paint colors, blue and purple of course. After getting set you started to paint. I went to pick out colors for the vase i wanted to paint.
I get back maybe two minutes have gone by and you're almost done!
I sit down to paint and you say to me, "I'm done, whats next for art?"
Ahhhh! Ok so we get you a K next and two new colors that will never match the blue and purple on the M.
That takes you a little longer, thank goodness.
I am almost finished painting the simplest vase ever, and I make a mistake. I groan out loud, to which you reply, " It's okay momma, there is no right or wrong in art!"
Well, you're right sweetie.
So i left the mistake there and added your quote.
So little, but so wise.
Love you my little artist!
Your Momma,
Heather Jo

Hate me now, you'll get it later..trying to keep a five year old out of my germ infested face, hands, etc...

Dearest daughter,
I DO NOT WANT YOU TO GET THIS!
So I'm sorry that you're feelings are hurt when I don't play with you. Or when I have to leave your room because I coughed so hard I peed myself a little.
I'm sorry that my energy is low, and daddy's too. Or that you have to wash your hands constantly, and avoid touching doors and couches and that kind of stuff
But my darling, if you get this cold, i will feel SO guilty.
So until Momma and Daddy feel better life might be a little boring or rigid. But we do this because we love you and never want you to hurt if we can help it. Especially physically.
We love you Kinsey Jewel.
Love,
Your momma,
Heather Jo

Its been awhile....

It's been over a year my little one since I've written to you. Well today made me want to write again.
After being sick for 6 days today I finally felt well enough to attempt chores and errands. Of course Daddy got sick and we left him at home.
I dropped you at your sitter's (Elizabeth's)  for a few hours.
Later when i picked you up i took you to baskin & robbins. I love that place!!
It holds a lot of warm memories from my childhood, and i hope it will for you. It's not really about the ice cream, although that makes out considerably better, but about that special twenty minutes that my mom took out of her day to be with just me. I know a lot of kids don't get much one on one time with their parents alone. I hope we can expand to things like crafts or reading the same book and talking about it, or having philosophic discussions, or pedicures and manicures. 😉
Anyway back to today....
So we're sitting enjoying our ice cream (you with vanilla and chocolate sauce, me with fudge brownie and hot fudge), and you look up at me and say " I love you so much".
I melted.

I can't help but think that in 10 or so years you probably will never say that to me. I hope it's not true, but I'm expecting it....
Kinsey please read this in ten years and tell me that you love me so much.
Cherishing  the moment,
Your momma,
Heather Jo

Princess tantrums.

Oh, these are no good.  No good at all. On one hand i have been expecting these for quite awhile and so its not a big deal. On the other hand you are so big that it makes controlling you a lot harder. I have found that a pleasant face and tone even oif the qords themselves are still harsh works a lot better on not overwhelming you and having you ahut down as you are still behind in communication.  But given all the struggles you still are the one cpnsistent thing to bring me pure inadulterated joy in life.
I love you.
Love, your momma,
Heather jo

My disobedient little angel:

Kinsey Jewel, You are testing me for sure right now. My back and my patience are wearing thin. Tomorrow could be a different story, but for today I'd love for someone else to take over. You are even testing Grandma and Grandpa! Please learn the difference between "Yes" and "No" instead of saying no to everything. Please learn to eat what we offer instead of just asking for "noodles" or "chicken". Please understand that I'm doing my best and always trying to improve and do what's best for you and our family. Please grow up and still be my baby at the same time.
I know you can't, but I wish.
Love,
Your Momma,
Heather Jo