An Eight Year Old Cutie

It's hard to believe that this little girl

turned 8 years old last week.  It seems like just yesterday that she was born.  The morning of her birthday we decided to host a birthday breakfast for all of the family.  Everyone pitched right in to make T's favorites:  pancakes, bacon and fruit (with a side of eggs, which she can't eat).  Aunt Lynn had flown in just a few days prior and gifted her this very cool, personalized sword from Pakistan. 

Yep, she is still at the top of the list for Coolest Aunt on Earth. 

Daniel got creative and made his sister this nifty candy bar poster.  At one time Taylor wanted to marry her brother, so its good to see that several years later they still love each other!

Taylor also lucked out with money, flip flops, a dress, a Slip-n-Slide, and a big bucket of hair barrettes. 

A few nights later we hosted her first big sleepover.  Three of her classmates joined us for T's favorite dinner: manicotti.  Then the girls put on makeup to look like different animals for a play that they made up and acted out.

Of course, no party is complete without a cake.  Taylor decided months ago that she wanted to decorate her own cake.  Here she is about to blow out the candle.

A bit later the girls watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" in her bed and ate popcorn. 

That was followed by some more present opening (it seemed that the givers were just as excited as the receiver!)

About 10pm we tried our best to call it lights out but....

those bags remained empty for quite a bit longer!  I tried to outlast them, but at 11:30pm I called it quits and hit the sack.  But never fear, those energetic girls were up at 6:30am ready for more fun.  They spent the morning crafting, then pitched right in and played restaurant while we all cooked breakfast and set the table.

After the girls left, I collapsed in a heap on the couch and reminisced about the past eight years.  Overall, I couldn't ask for a  better daughter.  Taylor is full of life, sweet, compassionate, curious and lots of fun!  What a lucky mom I am! 

A Refreshing Perspective

INTERRUPTIONS

"When you are exasperated by interruptions, try to remember that their very frequency may indicate the value of your life. Only people who are full of help and strength are burdened by other persons' needs. The interruptions which we chafe at are the credentials of our indispensability. The greatest condemnation that anybody could incur - and it is a danger to guard against - is to be so independent, so unhelpful, that nobody ever interrupts us, and we are left comfortably alone."
-Anonymous
from The Anglican Digest

A Perfect Mother's Day

What a blessing my family is to me!  We had a "down home" sort of Mother's Day enjoying breakfast, worship, a local hike and dinner in Augusta.  How I love being a mom to these two precious kiddos!

This was the first warm morning to enjoy a cup of coffee out on the back porch.  The kids made it even better by making homemade oatmeal (on the stove since the microwave is out of commission), fruit smoothies and mixed fruit salad.  What great breakfast partners!

After worship, we changed clothes, threw lunch in the cooler and drove 45 minutes south and west to hike the Willow Creek Trail.  With the spring thaw in full swing, the grass was green, the aspen trees a beautiful shade of lime and the wildflowers were blooming around every corner.  We hiked up and up past 3 waterfalls and eventually landed in a high alpine meadow surrounded by snowy mountains.  The kids quickly discarded their clothes down to the undies and played in the absolutely FREEZING creek. 

Then it was dinner at the Buckhorn Bar with Brad and Patti (Happy Mother's Day!) and ice cream to top it all off from the aptly named restaurant, Chubby's.  Then home for a tick check, showers and sleep--blessed sleep.

I never imagined motherhood to be such a wonderful adventure.  Everyday is different, every year a trial and a joy at the same time, every opportunity a chance to make a difference in the world.  Yes, motherhood IS all its cracked up to be.  Thank you Daniel and Taylor for making me a mom, for loving me and for teaching me!

Prayer of an 11 year old boy...

"Dear God,

Thank you for helping me survive my first day of being 11..."

 The laughter bubbled up inside of me.  Then the fear hit.  Apparently, my newly minted 11 year old son was expecting this next year to be rough....and survival of the fittest was top on the list. Thank goodness he has a good school, close friends and a fairly even temperment.  The 11th year of a boys life can be diffiuclt.  There are body changes and odor changes.  There are upper elementary/jr. high expectations.  Hormones begin to surface and boys jostle like roosters for pecking order.

Yep, 11 can be a BIG year for boys.  Just as long as my boy continues to thank God for every day, recognize the beauty in a sunset and, once in a while, let me cuddle before bed time....

I think we will all survive!

Daniel--11 years old

Saturday night brought 2 extra boys to our house.  The plan was to climb up onto the roof of the house and watch the stars and then sleep out in a tent.  Mother Nature, however, had different plans and snow was in the forecast. 

So we ate pizza on the lawn...boys are so easy.

Earlier in the day I had been tipped off that Daniel knew what he was getting as his big present.  So, I had to outsmart him.  I wrapped up a book I had lying around the house and then asked him in front of his friends where he wanted to stack his gifts.  The look of disappointment was quite evident as he analyzed the size of the book verses the size of his REAL gift.  About 15 minutes later, he confessed.  "Mom, when I checked your email the other day for my National Geographic stuff, I saw an order invoice from a company and thought you got me something else."  I love when the truth comes out! 

So, after pizza we opened gifts (coloring pencils, Pokemon cards, our book)

and as the boys were running away I casually mentioned that I thought there was something else in my closet.  Boy did they sprint inside.  And the look on D's face when he opened this gift was priceless!

A remote controlled Chinook helicopter!

After presents was the presentation of the multilayer icecream sandwich cake...

enjoyed with the girls from next door (who also gave D a great crown that said "Daniel 11, Strong + Cool") and then a bonfire.  Jason showed the boys how a backward, tipped wheelbarrow makes for a great seat!

The evening ended with watching a movie inside their indoor tent and then blessed (quiet!) sleep.  In the morning we enjoyed pancakes, eggs and fruit!  What a Grand celebration.

On Daniel's actual birthday, he chose ravioli's for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and then a pistachio pudding cake.  Yum!