Tag Archives: birthdays

my last day.

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birthday balloons
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Today is my last day being 33…what shall I do?

Well I think I will go for a run with the dog at 5:30am because that will be my only alone time for the day. I will come home to 3 kids already awake and wanting breakfast. Way to early for me but I’ve learned… this happens.

I will quietly put on my headphones, open my bible and steal some moments with Jesus for much needed strength and patience while bowls of cinnamon toast crunch are being devoured and Dragon Tales plays on netflix.

I will take a shower and get ready in less than 30 min all the while the bathroom being a revolving door of people in and out asking questions like “where is my favorite rock?” and “what if superheroes really controlled the earth?” and “why can’t I wear my bathing suit out today?”

I will use my best persuasive tactics to get 3 little people dressed and out the door by 8:45. I will be the referee while driving reminding little hands to keep to themselves and repeating “use kind words please”. One hand on the steering wheel, the other one usually stretched awkwardly behind me searching for a dropped object that is needed NOW!

I will play legos, paint toenails, help with art projects, play hide and seek and I spy.

I will wait for that magic hour of room time when I can sit and take a deep breath.

I will clean up a lot of messes and give lots of hugs.

I will make a quick, easy dinner so we can go off to ballet and basketball.

I will do baths, books and bedtime routine all the while trying not to fall asleep before the kids.

When the house is quiet I will prepare for the next day, when we do it all over again. And again I will steal a couple moments. But this time with my other love. My husband. When did it happen that a short, uninterrupted conversation at the end of the day becomes a gift? Well I’m sure it’s almost 10pm now, bedtime it is.

Yes, this is what my average day looks like these days. Is this what I thought age 33/34 would look like? Probably not. I’m not sure what I thought it would be, really. Honestly, it wasn’t that long ago that I thought 34 sounded old! Of course as I proudly take on that age tomorrow it doesn’t sound old at all! I love my life, though draining at times. But along with the long, tiring days there is a whole lot of fun, silliness and newness with each day. This is what keeps me feeling young no matter what age I am.

So happy birthday to me. Joyfully embracing another new year and thankful for each moment I have!

 

Miss Theia

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Orchard 7

Theia you are still our introvert which we love and appreciate more and more but lately you are coming into your own person. You are becoming more confident and brave in who you are. We love to see you venture out and initiate with new friends and in new surroundings.

You are still the “mother” of your brother and sister. You closely watch what is going on around you and with others and are quick to respond if there is a problem or difference.

You are caring, kind and inquisitive. You know exactly what you want and are quick to tell us if something is not fair.

You have a silly side that balances your seriousness.You are so helpful and responsible.

You still love your “night-night”. Prefer dresses over pants and “comfy clothes” is never an option.

You could eat apples and pretzels for all 3 meals and would never complain. Prefer vanilla over chocolate and love sips of Daddy’s coke.

You love riding your bike and writing “stories” at the kitchen table.

You are my shadow, wanting to help me with everything and asking questions about everything I do.

Theia, you challenge me and draw me in with your big smiles and tight hugs all in one day.

I love you.

Miss Kaia

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having fun at panera

Miss Kaia

I love this picture of you because it is totally you being your silly self. You are our free spirit. You are often in your own little world dancing in sunshine and over rainbows. Your smile and belly laugh really do light up a room.

On the flip side you are a feisty one. You are brave, strong and enjoy trying new things. You gracefully bring your sister along in your daring adventures.

You are determined. You do not stop trying once you have your mind set on accomplishing. You do not give up. One of the many things we love to witness about you.

You are so kind, always thinking of others and willing to share or compromise when no one else will.

You love taking care of your babies, preparing for “trips” and making up dances for ballet.

You love your big brother. You are his sidekick and most times go right along with him in whatever he’s doing.

You could eat mac-n-cheese all day long. You are our grazer, never really eating 1 whole meal at a time. You are our chocolate girl.

Still under 30 pounds I can easily pick you up like nothing. But your fiery personality makes up of what you lack in weight.

You love to ride your bike, play with friends and always singing a song, twirling around.

Miss Kaia, your smile melts me and your kisses for no reason steal my heart and make up for how you test my patience to no end.

I love you.

And we are 4!

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Beautiful Birthday Girls!

Woo hoo! We have two 4 yr. olds in the house as of Friday! They are BIG girls now and they do not let me forget for one second. All of a sudden there are things they can and can’t do now because they are 4. Or things they can’t wear because they are 4. It really was a sudden change for all of us:)

We had a great day celebrating them. Starting off with birthday cake pancakes, decorated door to their room, special birthday girl chairs to sit in and opening big brother’s present. They were beyond excited to open the Disney princess cash register that was picked for them. Excitement and sugar levels were high from the start and pretty much continued all day long but that is what birthdays are for, right? The girls finally decided on a rainbow birthday party pretty much last minute but I was ok with it because I had not gotten anything for the other 5 themes they suggested and rainbow was by far my favorite. It was a fun and easy party to decorate for. Good old Pinterest had a ton of ideas. Oh Pinterest you won me over again! Unfortunately, I forgot to get a pic of the food table. I choose one or two foods of each rainbow color and displayed it in rainbow fashion. Looked cute. Here are some other pics.

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Cake and candy table…

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When the kids arrived we had rainbows to make using Dot to Dot markers and bead necklaces or bracelets to make. More than anything I think the rainbow Goldfish and gummies to snack on were what they all liked most.

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Yummy cake requested by Theia loaded with gumballs and other rainbow candy.

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And because Kaia wanted cupcakes we did rainbow cupcakes with gumballs.

We had a great time celebrating with our friends. We are so thankful to have friends here already that love our girls so much!

So happy birthday to our BIG girls!! Coming up next will be individual posts about each of the girls as I always do on their birthdays. I love to look back each year and see how they’ve changed.

old to new.

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My dear friend Stephanie from Chico came to visit me. It was a surprise for my birthday. A sneaky little plan set up by her and my mom. What a joy it was to sit with a friend from what I fondly call my “old life” and have her experience my “new life” or more accurately “my in transition life”. It was refreshing and comforting. It made me miss my old life some but I did notice that the sting is not quite as strong. It is fading some as my excitement and peace for what is to come grows. I am thankful for that. I feel so blessed to have had this precious time with someone who knows me well, who challenges me, encourages me and speaks truth into my life.
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Thanks Steph!

5 on friday

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number 5

1. We had such a fun day celebrating the girls 3rd birthday. It was a day packed full of fun things: special trip to the bakery in the morning with Grandma & Pa, lunch date with Mommy and Mase at Chick-fil-a and a fun princess party with family. All day the girls kept reminding us they were big girls, they were three! I loved seeing each of their smiles when we sang Happy Birthday to them, first to Kaia then to Theia.
Blowing out candles

2. Did you notice the t-shirts the Chilean miners were wearing by chance? Those t-shirts were given to the miners from the Jesus Film Project, a ministry of Campus Crusade International that has translated the gospel into over 1000 languages. The Jesus film and the New Testament in Spanish were actually sent down into the mine shaft for the miners! Read the whole story here.

3. My friend sent me a link to this super cute girls room. She knows me all too well…i love it! The ideas are piling up for the girls future room. Can’t wait! I love the color of the room and the pallet beds of course. Check it out!

http://loridanelle.blogspot.com/2010/07/tour-big-littles-bedroom.html

4. I think the next book I’m going to read is Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney. I’ve heard great things about it. What are you reading right now?

5. Grandpa and Pa got the girls these awesome bristle blocks by Just B. toys. I really like all the toys by this company. They come in fun colors, reasonably priced and made durably. Oh, and best part you can find them at my favorite store Target!  The Spinarooz blocks were a hit with all the kids at the party. Even topped the Disney Princess Castle…for awhile.

Our girls are 3!

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For this Thankful Thursday I have much to be thankful for…our girls!

Today our girls are 3! They are big girls now and they let us know every day. Our lives and family has changed for the better because of these precious girls. Their smiles light up a room, their laughter brings joy to everyone around them and their kind hearts just melt us! The bond they have with one another is one of the best things we get to witness each day. What a privilege it is to have them as our daughters!

Happy 3rd birthday sweet girls!

We love you!

theia turns 3

strong

observant

sensitive to others

funny

shy

considerate

kind

snuggly

bashful

obstinate

inquisitive

loves to play dress up

favorite color: purple

favorite food: sausage

best friend: kaia

adores her brother

k turns 3!silly

quirky

playful

kind

outgoing

friendly

snuggly

strong willed

helpful

loves her babies

favorite color: yellow

favorite food: mac-n-cheese

best friend: theia

adores her brother