Isabella is 4!!

Yesterday was Isabella's birthday, and I had every intention of putting her on here yesterday, but I have lost my adapter to put pictures on my computer, so I will have to add pictures later. I am going to borrow an idea from a friend (thanks Viki) and give 4 reasons that I love and appreciate Izzy.

1. Isabella approaches everything in life like a cheerleader. She is a little dingy(no offense to those cheerleaders), but she just loves everyone and everything. Everything is "her favorite", and everyone is her "best friend."

2. Isabella is very appreciative of things that she gets. She always says thank you. Usually followed by "I love it."

3. I love Isabella, because she has helped to heal my heart just a little.

4. I love Isabella, because she gives the best hugs, and is always ready to say "I love you".

We had a little family party for her last night - she had a princess cake, and got training wheels, a horn for her bike, some tinkerbell toys, a backpack, and a purse and a dolly from her grandma.
My present for her birthday, was that she came to me and said "I am too big to wear Pull-Ups." She went to bed in big girl underpants, and woke up dry. Whoo, hoo!

Merry Christmas from the Weinands!

We are sending cards out this year, but they don't seem to be in a big hurry to get done. Hopefully everyone is healthy, happy, and doing good things. We are doing our usual, busy, busy, busy. All of us are healthy, and hopefully are doing a few good things. Here's hoping everyone has a great Christmas.

Letter to EmmaLee

My dearest little girl,

Tomorrow you would be eight. As I envision what might have been, I see us excitedly getting ready for your big day. Your grandmas are here, and your beautiful white dress is all ready and waiting. You are beautiful and full of fun, a joy to all who know you. We are all happy and enjoying our time together.

Instead, today, I got the chance to attend someone else's baptism, and I couldn't go. I was filled with sadness as I knew that this is just one more thing that I don't get to do with you. Everywhere I look, I seem to see children that would be your age, and wonder what you would be like; what you are like now. Are you happy, do you see your grandpas, and do they take care of you or is it the other way around? Did you get to know your sisters before they were born, or is that just one more thing that we won't get to do on this side? Do you get to look in on us from time to time - do you think of me? And one more thing, why doesn't heaven have facebook? ;)

We have tried every year to make your birthday a celebration of you. We do something fun as a family, and remember the fun things we did with you for the short time you were with us. Tomorrow is Sunday, so this year it is going to be a quiet day doing our usual Sunday things. I am eternally grateful for the gospel, because of it, I still have you, no matter what. I just wish, well, I wish a lot of things that aren't to be at this time. Just know that I think of you so often, my beautiful girl. I am trying to teach your sisters about you, so that they will know you like I know you when we are all together again. I love you so much, and miss all the things that we should be doing together. My one wish for you this year is that you are happy, as you always were.

Love, Mom