Every year on this date, I plan on doing the same interview with my oldest. I’m sure I’ll add a few questions as he grows. And boy is he growing! In wisdom and in stature. I pray those words over him often. I watched the interviews from previous years , and this momma-heart squeezed with how much he’s matured and how his little voice has changed.  He still loves to “work” with Daddy, and he’s not wrong about what I say often 🙄😆.  And he’s not wrong about who loves him ❤️

Oh Buddy! How you’ve grown! One Two Three Four Five!  Sweet oldest boy!  How are you already 5 years old?!  Where have the years gone?  You are so adventurous.  You are so smart.  You are so kind.  And you are so good at testing the limits.  And you are so wild.  And you are so silly.  You are so many, many things.  You, my boy, are asking more questions about God.  You love to count and tell me the alphabet and all of the ocean facts you’ve learned.  You enjoy painting and creating artwork that involves monsters and dinosaurs.  You build with your blocks and legos, but when quiet, you most love to look at books and to be read to. You could listen to books all day. ❤️ You adore your baby brother and play chase with him to his great delight.  You love your sister, and she’s your best friend.  You fight like cats and dogs and squeal with joy with ...

Starting two years ago , I have interviewed Jack using the same questions each year. That first year he wasn’t very verbal. Fast forward one year and then two years, and oh. my. goodness.  He talks our ears off and has opinions about EVERYTHING. I was actually a little bit worried about what he might say in this interview, but I went into it promising myself I wouldn't edit or stop even if he said something weird, haha! And, he did! We love you, Jack-Jack. Keep being your cool, sweet self ! Jack’s interview - 4 1/2 years old from Joy Rawlins on Vimeo .

I've seen a few FB posts recently regarding grandparents and their lack of engaging in playtime with their grandkids. Here are my thoughts on the subject as it pertains to my children:  I won't ever expect you to "play" with my kids. Even if you are their grandparent, their uncle, their aunt, their neighbor. If you found freedom in what you just read, good! Please don't ever feel obligated to plop down on the floor and build cities out of legos with them or make a pretend cake in their kitchen. Don't feel like you must go on a bear hunt in the backyard or that you need to imagine that their jungle gym is a zoo and they are the monkeys and you are the zookeeper. Some adults love to pretend with kids. Most don't. And, that's okay! Feel free to say, "no thank you. But I sure do enjoy watching you!" I don't like to pretend.  The Husband doesn't like to.  We do imagine with them occasionally, but it's usually to get...

I told a sweet friend recently that I'd like to eventually write about our daily routine for me to look back on.  That day appears to be today since I had nothing else of value to write about. I'm sure it won't be super exciting for anyone to read, but here goes! (This is our routine every day; although Sunday is just a little different in the mornings due to church).       We do basically the same thing every day.  I once read that kids thrive on consistency and routine (which I witnessed in my 8 years of teaching many different grade levels), so I knew I wanted to give my own kids as much consistency and structure as I could.  My kids know what our days entail, and they can tell you "what comes next," haha. There's security in knowing what to expect, and our days don't hold a lot of surprises.  But when a surprise happens, it's an exciting day, for sure! ~~~~ Oliver typically wakes around 7:00, so I get him up and nurse him.  He and I spe...

Crazy, sweet, often-disobedient, loving Jack, you are 4 years old today.  You greet each day with silliness and laughter and loudness with your sister.  You test the boundaries and break all of the rules.  You have made tremendous strides in your speech this year and now talk our ears off all.  day.  long.  You love your people, and your people love you.  You are wild and adventurous.  Smart and creative.  You know how to count to 20, but always skip 15.  You know the alphabet, and you enjoy being read to and "reading" to yourself.  You love to sing the books of the New Testament song, and you enjoy learning about people in the Bible, especially Jesus.    You love to eat, and eating at a restaurant makes your day.  Grandpa and Nana took us out to eat for your birthday today at your favorite place, and you were a picture of grins as you and Daddy and Ella watched the boats out on the river and ...