Five! {Celebrating Lydia}

Our girl turned five today.  Five!  What a joy Lydia is (and strong-willed and what some might describe as quite stubborn as well ... all traits which will make her a strong leader I believe!).  This girl has a special place in the hearts of many.  

Like Samuel, Lydia also plays her birth order well - she fits the molds of little sister and big sister well.  She knows how to work her charm on the boys, and she also dotes on Nora (often giving in a little too easily when Nora "needs" something).

On this day I like to reflect back to December 18th, 2009 - it is still with great surprise that I recall the emotions when my doctor proudly and with much emotion himself, announced that we had a baby girl.  And, as I do every year, I must insert the caveat that we love our boys fiercely as well.  It was the surprise of a daughter that was (and remains to be) quite extraordinary.

To our girl, Happy Birthday, we love you more than you can imagine.  XO

Double Digits {Celebrating Samuel}

Today our (not-so) little boy turns double digits.  It is such a joy to see Samuel grow.  He has a tender heart and loves big.  He adores his big brother and dotes on his little sisters, and he is often the one to bring Owen into conversation.  He plays the role of middle child well.

He also love animals ... if not for allergies I have a feeling we would be more than just a one (oversized) dog and fish family.  In fact, he is trying hard (relentlessly) to convince us that a hedgehog would be a perfect Christmas gift.

It's been a blessing to celebrate Samuel this weekend ... a snow coaster size pizza for family birthday (eve) meal out ...

Special hot cocoa to finish Birthday Eve ...

And, his favorite - a peanut square breakfast ...

And, then a surprise boys' afternoon / night out!

Seems the boys thoroughly enjoyed boys' day out - they went to a hockey game, and Samuel was randomly chosen to ride in the zamboni!  Happy Birthday to him!!

(Samuel and I have a birthday date planned for later this month, and we will celebrate him and Lydia ... and maybe Jason who it seems may also have a significant birthday this month ... with a family party this upcoming weekend)

Me and my December babies ...

Happy Birthday to our Samuel, you are a blessing to us and many others!  We love you!  xo 

Officially a teen ...

Life is beautiful, I have a teen and yet I'm certain I'm not aging one bit (haha).  Today Jack turns 13 ... what?!?!?  To make matters worse, in a normal conversation this week with Samuel, Jack casually mentions that in "just three years" when he is driving ... hard to digest the reality of this!  But, for now, I'll try to stay in the present as I come to grips with having a teen!

Jack is now officially staring me in the eye, I suspect that by the end of the school year I will be looking up at him.  And, the kid fits in Jason's shoes, won't be long and Jason will be getting Jack's hand-me-down shoes!

Jack continues to be social, enjoying time with his buddies (ahem, albeit a bit too much at times during school), and he thrives on being in sports and being a part of a team. 

He just finished football (another undefeated season, these boys are going to be fun to watch in high school ... you know, when they are also driving ... sigh), and basketball practice starts tomorrow (the boys are not quite as strong on the court as they are on the field - which I appreciate as we need to keep some humility in these boys).  

And, of course, Jack loves baseball and will pick that up again with a few indoor clinics in early spring.

Jack plays the role of big brother well (most of the time anyway).  This is such an interesting age to watch and parent - the age of the in between, no longer a boy but not quite a man. 

Jack, Happy 13th Birthday!  You are a gift and we thank God for you every day!  XO

Celebrating Little Miss {Nora's 3rd Birthday}

How can it be that Nora turns three today?  I'm at a loss reflecting on how another year has so quickly passed.  Seems like we were just celebrating her first birthday home ... and, many of the feelings are unchanged. 

Nora has grown so much in the past year, it is such a joy to see her blossom.

We were all anxious to celebrate her this past weekend.

Her party "theme" - "Sunny with a 100% Chance of Sprinkles"

 

Nora told everyone that she wanted "MM's" for her birthday ... she got a big bag of m&m's, a candy aisle bag of m&m's, a box of m&m's, a tube of m&m's, individual treat size bags of m&m's, and a pouch of birthday m&m's - the girl is set and was equally as excited with each gift of "MM's"!

 

A labor of love ... a homemade bean bag toss (painted to match the absolutely adorable bean bags) by Nora's talented uncle and aunt ... an amazing gift!

 

Sneaking frosting before I got a chance to serve the cake!

 

Many people comment on how "lucky" Nora is to have a family, but we are the blessed ones that get the privilege of loving her as our daughter.  And, still on this day I remember a birth mom on the other side of the ocean that likely has an ache in her heart, and I pray for this woman whom I share much with. 

Nora, you are a blessing to us, we pray for your heart and all of the questions you will one day have about your story and His story and the way He has so graciously woven our hearts together.  Happy 3rd birthday, Little Miss!

Six ...

Six years ago today we said hello and goodbye to our 3rd son, the journey to that point and the journey since has been filled with many bittersweet moments.  On this day every year we struggle a bit to figure out how to celebrate Owen's life.  One would think that we would have this figured out seeing May 30th comes every year.  But, we don't.  I wonder if my struggle with this is because it's such a contrast to how we celebrate the other kiddos?  I suppose the consistency is in the fact that we do celebrate ... this year with an ice cream cake at the request of the boys, easy to oblige ...  



Another consistency is where we find our Hope ...

Picture of Grace

Jason's Grandma turned 89 this month, and his grandparents celebrated their 72 wedding anniversary.  Wow.

Doesn't she look fantastic?

I met Jason's Grandma when Jason and I met nearly 22 years ago ... we were just babies :)  Ha!  Anyhow, she has been a picture of grace always ... she extends grace always ... it is so obvious that Jesus is her light ... her eyes sparkle ... she exudes a selflessness like no other and every once in a while we see a little spunk.  Another reason we admire her so is the unconditional love she shows EVERY.ONE.  Unconditional.  It's what we are called to do, but it's a challenge for sure ... years of wisdom this pretty lady has!

A picture of grace ... no doubt.

Christmas 2013

A recap of our Christmas ... in photos:

Christmas Eve Day Tradition - decorating our gingerbread cookies for our gingerbread cookie breakfast Christmas morning (Nora's first time decorating cookies ... her face says it all) ...

Christmas Eve with my side of the family ...

Christmas Morning ...

Christmas Day with Jason's family (unfortunately by the time we tried to take a cousins photo, our girls were D.O.N.E.) ... Christmas is also Jason's birthday ... this was his first "real" 39th birthday ... not to be confused with next year's birthday which may be the first anniversary of his 39th birthday!

And, that was Christmas 2013!

Fast forward ...

During birthday week this week we have been looking at photos from when Lydia was just a babe ...

Fast forward four years, and we have this ... so blessed.

Yes, Samuel is wearing a cummerbund (and doesn't Lydia's dress match so perfectl along with Nora's sweet dress - both of which were hand-me-downs that we are loving)!  Samuel's 3rd grade class had the privilege of singing with the high school for the Christmas concert last weekend at the Weill Center.  Jack also got to do this three years ago.  So neat.

And, then she was four ...

Today our girl turns four.  Every year on this day I cannot help but think back to 12/18/2009 and our precious doc delivering our first baby girl.  It still makes me all misty-eyed (I love our boys like crazy, it was just such a shock to have a girl, and that made the surprise that much sweeter).

Let's talk about Lydia ... she is a joy, no doubt.  She is also strong-willed, a tad on the defiant side and stubborn beyond belief (I'm still trying to figure out where she gets it from ... quiet Mom, no comments allowed).  But, she loves big (much like her brothers). 

I heard another mom refer to her daughter as spirited.  This is totally Lydia - spirited.  (Said mom also mentions that there is something to be said to what a spirited child does for your soul, your faith, and your gray hair - amen sister.) 

Lydia makes us laugh, part of it is her age, part of it is just her.  Not everyone has this insider view as Lydia is a homebody - definitely most comfortable with her family, quite shy in new settings and in school.  But quite pleased to be able to bring birthday treats to school for the very first time ever!

 The dynamic that Lydia adds to our family is one that I am so thankful for.

Baby Girl, we love you!  Happy 4th Birthday!