July 30, 2011

LJ,
Today we come and get you!!!! Our whole family is excited to have you back and our family complete again. It has been a hard time with you gone because of the void that was created when you left. Sadly I don't think you know this, how much we miss and adore you. Papa and I have spent ALOT of time discussing what we need to do to ensure that you understand the depths of our love for you and your value to us. You have never been the cookie cutter child, defying all the books out there, but I like that. You have grown me as a parent and I have great confidence, that God will be able to use all the mistakes that Papa and I have made and turn them into something beautiful for you.

The most recent issue with you has come from your desire to have your own room. And although we understand why you want your own room, Mom and Papa also see a greater need to keep you and JJ connected. You are at an age where you are wanting to pull away from us and it is just too young. God has given Mom and Papa the responsibility to guard your heart and ensuring that you grow up with a deep bond to your brother is one of those ways. And for the record, the only reason CJ has her own room is that she is a girl and in a couple of years you will need a physical privacy that sharing a room with her will not provide.

Papa and I see, within you a natural desire to lead and please but you also have a resistance to follow the guidance Papa and I give you and that is where we are at, present day. Trying to figure out why that is. Have we lost your heart or is this a age thing. I am not sure but what I do know is that we love you more than we can ever express and are on our knees asking God for the right decisions to make. We have entered a new phase of life with you and we have just spent two weeks apart from you!!!! I look forward to catching up with and reconnecting with you.

So, I'm not sure how you will remember this time in your life but I want you to know that Mom and Daddy are doing our best and we see that there is an issue with us and how we communicate with you and we are about to make big changes in that department. We love you so much and we want to make sure we are not just telling you that but showing you in a way that makes you feel loved and valued and cherished.

Love, Mom