Remember When?

Isn't it neat how as our kids get older they want to know what they were like when they were younger? Now, I have a pretty good memory for big stuff, but for the little details my girlie is already asking me about I am thankful for two things I have done since she was born: keeping a journal and writing letters to her on each birthday!

A friend gave me the journal at my baby shower and told me to "start writing in it the day she is born and don't stop until it's full...then get another journal!" I love looking back to what I wrote the night she was born! I don't write in it every day, but I at least try to write in it once a month. I have a page that I write down what she dresses up as each year for fall festival too...can you imagine trying to remember what costume your kid wore 15 years ago? I can't! I also have a few pages saved to jot down funny things she says or calls things! As she has gotten older she has seen me writing in the journal a couple of times and decided she wanted to "write" too. I love those pages with her scribbles in the middle of my writing! She has her own "journal" that she now fills with the words she knows how to write and pictures she enjoys drawing.

Before girlie was born I read somewhere the idea of writing a letter to your child on each of their birthdays. You put them away and when they are older (I am thinking after college) you can give them the letters. Each year since her first birthday I write her a letter telling her how much she has meant to me in the past year, what new things she has learned, what I have learned from being her mom, my favorite memories of the past year...I also have been including thoughts in each letter about the type of person I hope she grows up to be...Jesus loving, honest, truthful, giving...On the outside of each envelope I write "Letter to Girlie on Her _____ Birthday Love, Mom!"

Remembering all of the little reasons I love her, love being her mom, and who she is as she grows up is something that not only works for me, but something I cherish!

I am linking up with We Are THAT Family for Works For Me Wednesday. Check out the other helpful tips over there! You never know what good stuff you will find! Kristen has some great tips on keeping your family safe online!