I Have my little Marcella snuggled next to me now. She had a bad dream and crawled in bed. Sometimes I think her response, "If only I had a sister" really would make her happier. She is so happy when she has a buddy. She is a friend to all--just like her mom. Friends with everyone but best friends with no one. Her teacher in parent teacher conferences talked abut how mature and kind she is to everyone. She's doing really well in school. Both my kids are in the top reading groups (Coen reading at a 5th grade level) and Coen is pulled-out for an extra accelerated math group--Marcella is on the watch-list but they take only a few 1st graders. More than their mom could ever say!

Explorers

abot the last few nights has been teaching the kids about different explorers: Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Sir Francis Drake, Captain James Cook, Ferdinand Magellan...

Tonight he was drilling the kids with questions. When he was done the kids took a turn asking him questions. Marcella asked "Who explored Nineveh?" "Jonah!" She exclaimed. Smart and witty girl.

My Singing Girl

Last week when I picked Marcella up from Singer's Company, Becky Fife said to me, "Marcella is amazing! She is one of the youngest girls in the class and by the second time she has every word to every song memorized!."

She is amazing. She loves to sing and loves to dance around the house. For Christmas she got a Singing Machine. It is just perfect for her. She loves watching herself sing in her big mirrored doors.

This morning I watched her quietly (she didn't know I was watching her). She had just woken up and was making her bed on her own. As she made her bed she was singing a song "I'll teach you how to make a bed!...." Life is an opera for her. She then came straight in to tell me that she had said her prayers all on her own too.

I've seen great progress in her lately. My little girl is maturing in good ways. She is so sensitive to other people. Always thinking of others as school and as home.

At Christmas I did a book drive with my book club. She asked if the people we were giving the books to had a home. When I told her that some of them didn't she sobbed. "I just can't stop thinking about those people!" She kept saying. She cried on and off for two days. She even wanted to sale our house to pay for a house for the other people.

I was so convinced I was going to send her to all day Kindergarten, but last week I decided to only send her half-day. I need another year of more time with my girl.

I love you Marcella!

Why would Jesus do that to people?"

I had a book club party at my house this week. We watched "The Help", one of the books we had read. We did a cookie exchange and I asked people to bring books to donate to a women and children's shelter. The kids were intrigued by it--and went through their books to give some away. Tonight Marcella asked me more questions about the people we were giving the books too. She asked "Do the kids we are giving the books to have a house?" I told her that some of them don't. Her eyes filled with tears and she said "Why would Jesus do that to people? Why would he not let everyone have a house?" She sobbed for a while and then suggested we sell our house to help buy a house for other people. She practically cried herself to sleep tonight, "I'm just so sad for those people." She is so tender. To a fault sometimes...easily "hurt" . I appreciate her thoughtfulness, she is a deep thinker.

Fashionista

Tonight before bed you were making yourself a costume. You first tucked-in your underwear (front and back) a scarf and a dish towel. You told me you were a Lamanite. Then on your own you started making a crown, you said it was a "Queen Crown". I said what are you the queen of? You said, "I'm the Queen of Everything!" That's about right! You are the Queen of Everything.

You are very aware of what you are wearing and want to make sure you are always "beautiful". You are beautiful. No matter what you are wearing you are beautiful. My goal though is to make sure you feel beautiful on the inside an to make certain that you always act beautiful. My mother said to me and it was something her mother told her "Pretty is as pretty does."

You are sensitive in a lot of ways...smell, touch, sound. This sometimes makes life difficult because we find you in tears too often. But your sensitivity carries over in positive ways too. Miss Karilee your preschool teacher said that you are so aware of the needs of the other children at school. You help them and if they are sad you try to make them happy. So, if we can get rid of the excessive tears your sensitivity will be an amazing quality to have. Your Grandpa Don (my dad) said to me "Our greatest strengths can be our greatest weaknesses too."

So Lamanite Queen of Everything, I love you. I love everything about you.

Nurture

Marcella,

Today at the gym you and Drake decided to take the stairs; I was stuck with the elevator due to the stroller. While in the stroller I could hear Drake crying, but I was helpless. When I got out of the elevator you were walking in front of me. Your arm was wrapped around his shoulder and I could hear you saying "Don't worry Drake, I'll always be here to protect you."

Thank you. Thank you for protecting Drake, Coen and all of us.

You are a delicate spirit, in so many ways. I remember words Dad said the day you were blessed. He alluded to your delicate spirit and vulnerability. I want you to know that you can always hear me say "Don't worry Marcella, I'll always be here to protect you." I will. I'll always be here to listen to your problems and want you to know that I know you'll make mistakes and when you do it is okay.

I worry about you. More than Drake and Coen combined. I love you and more than anything I want you to be happy. I hope I'm making you happy.