Graduating Class of 2020

Where does the time go?
Maddie graduated from Kindergarten today. I have no way to explain what I feel. Rick laughs at me (albeit lovingly) for being such a cry baby, but for some reason, I am having a hard time with it. Every time I think about it, I get weepy. I remember her first day of school like it was yesterday... wasn't it?
This was her on her first day:This is her Kindergarten school picture:I am so proud of her for all her accomplishments this year. She has excelled at reading, writing, math, music, social studies, and science! She says her favorite subject this year was learning all about the dinosaurs. Every day, Maddie loved to go to school. She was so excited to see her friends, to learn, to grow at everything she tried.
This is her teacher, Tammy. She has been such an incredible Godly woman to have in her life. She has loved her like we do, instilled in her God's love, and shown her how to be an amazing woman of God. Thank you Teacher Tammy. We will be forever grateful.One thing Maddie was really good at was making friends. She was friends with everyone in her class. They were all really sad to say goodbye to each other. Luckily, three of them will be at her new school next year.

After a sleepover at the church where they had school, we picked them up this morning, and this is what we saw:

I, of course, was crying like a baby. Again, I don't know why... I just did.The graduating class of 2020!!Maddie N. Norris, 1st Grader!!

Saying goodbye is never easy... even for a six-year-old...

We finished off the morning with a trip to Rocket Donuts.... thanks Daddy!
Maddie girl, we are so proud of you!! We can't wait to watch you grow.... just not so fast!

My little girl

What can I say... Lately I have been overwhelmed with how amazing God is. I see Him in everything, but who I have seen Him in a lot recently is my Maddie.
She has such a genuine heart. She really loves people, loves her family, and really loves God. She talks about Him everyday. She loves to sing songs about him (see video below), she tells stories about Jesus, she recites verses that she's learned in Kindergarten. She is truly coming to understand God's love by learning through her actions towards others.

My mom volunteers and heads up a homeless ministry in Olympia. One of her many responsibilities is delivering food baskets from their collective food bank to people who are in need. Maddie has gone on many of the deliveries with her, and everytime she comes home, the first thing she tells me how wonderful it was to give to people who needed help.
When someone is hurt or sad, Maddie will be the first one there to comfort them. When Taylor cut open his forehead, my sister brought her to the hospital to see him, and she nearly cried for him. She wanted to be sure to tell him she was sorry for him, and that she wanted to give him a kiss.

One of the things I love the most about Maddie is her keen awareness of the Lord's presence with us on a daily basis. She loves reading her bible, and she prays with fervor. This is the chalk art that she drew today:

"Jesus 'dide' (died - she's learning about the silent e...) He lives" Amen!

Watch the video below... it is a little hard to hear, but today, she was riding around on her razor with my iPod attached to her hip, singing her worship songs. She didn't know the exact words, and after listening to her, I thought it was adorable. The words are supposed to be "Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you" Listen closely...



"I will never praise you." Hilarious. She'd be really upset if she actually listened to what she was saying... I think we all have some songs from our childhood that we sang words that didn't make sense, no?

Maddie is growing up to be a beautiful girl. I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me such a wonderful baby girl.

Happy Birthday Maddie...

I am SOOOO late in blogging this, but tis the season of busyness!

April 17, my baby girl turned SIX! What is going on?! First Taylor, now Maddie?! Guess that's the way it goes...

Maddie is the most empathetic and sweet child. She genuinely cares for others, hurts when others hurt, and loves to laugh. She loves the days that her brother chooses to say "I love you, Maddie." She beams with joy! She loves her friends at school and can barely wait to get out of the car to say hi to them. She also loves God. At night when she prays, so is so passionate about her love for Him. Some of her key phrases: "GOD! You are the Holy Spirit!" "God, please help all the people to love You," and "God, We just love you." Then she finished up with a resounding "Amen!" and "Mom, I was on FIRE tonight!" Pastor's kid...

She had a wonderful birthday this year. She got to enjoy a party at school, some family time at Appleby's, and finally, a party at Rocket Donuts with all her friends!

Maddie's class all sang "Happy Birthday to you, (cha-cha-cha)" while she stood on a stool in front of the class... She was a bit embarrassed, but I am sure secretly loved it!

Dinner with the family at Appleby's...

This was the party of the year! ROCKET DONUTS!!

The spread was amazing. Rocket Donuts is this great hometown business in Bellingham that makes the BEST donuts (sorry all you LaFeen's lovers...). I found out they just started hosting birthday parties... they decorate, they clean up, they make the birthday "cake"... it was fantastic. They gave each child two/three donuts a piece, the frosting and sprinkles to decorate, and voila - birthday cake, entertainment, and distractions all in one!

Taylor's donut was BY FAR the best! Check out that PILE of sprinkles...

Our friend Brandon and Rick may have enjoyed the donuts more than the kids...

On second thought, I think they enjoyed them more!

Happy Birthday, Maddie girl... looking forward to a wonderful year of watching you grow!