ONE, beautiful baby!

You know what I’m going to say- but bear with me… I cannot believe our baby girl is one year old already! {You know you’ve said it too!}

We celebrated with lots of Daddy time (and lots of time in arms for this teething baby girl) and concluded with a delicious Carrot Pineapple Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Yum. She l.o.v.e.d. hers!! And she loved sharing with her brother, too!

Even though Lauren is usually our Cupcake Queen, she just had the treat of baking 60 WICKED awesome cupcakes for our friend Arden (I’ll post about those another time). So Timothy had a turn in the kitchen baking Clara’s delish Bday cupcakes!

After presents & the Birthday song, we enjoyed our newest tradition: we tucked everyone else in bed and let the Birthday Girl stay up late for some special Mamma & Daddy time! We played with Clara’s new baby, read Jan Brett’s On Noah’s Ark and laughed as little Clara walked back and forth doling out her sweet little kisses to me & her Daddy.

It was a sweet ending to a sweet birthday for ONE sweet baby girl! Happy Birthday, little Clara.

Birthday Surprises

I think we should have birthdays at least twice a year! All the calls, emails, facebook posts, cards, surprise packages in the mail (Wow!) and personal visits make the day so fun!! I am so blessed to have you guys for friends!!

Mom doesn’t keep special gifts and calls for birthdays. We have “UnBirthdays” all the time! Dad jokes with her that she won’t have any inheritance to leave because she’s going to spend it all now. I think she’s on to something, though. I love giving little “I love you’s” now while I can watch everyone enjoy themselves!

Today’s picture is with my Birthday Ice Cream Buffet! Stacey was sooo sweet to bring over all these yummy flavors for a fun tasting. What a fun way to spend a few hours with friends!! Thanks, Stacey! You made my Bday special!

The children had made and wrapped special pictures for me, Chris brought home some chocolate dipped fruit (and a pink Guy Harvey shirt!) and the Lord sent a day of perfect weather we all enjoyed outside. That night, Seth came over to hang out with the kiddos while Chris & I ate some yummy dinner out. The gift of time was wonderful! I’m so grateful for birthdays- they’re a chance to show love to each other and I definitely experienced this on April 10!!

Locust for my Birthday

Today is my birthday. Yippee! The locust swarms should make today memorable! LOL We went to a Jacksonville Suns baseball game last night, so I didn’t have a chance to make the locusts. Soooo… I think it’ll be a family project and then we’ll let them “swarm” (eeewww)- hopefully they won’t eat my Birthday Cake!

Umm… do I *get* a birthday cake if I don’t make it?

(p.s. No Birthday Cake, but I did get some incredible Dark Chocolate dipped strawberries & apples and the locusts couldn’t find them b/c I kept them hidden in their box in the fridge. I managed to eat almost all of them all by myself… Andrew swiped a bite of apple, but I forgive him. *grin*)

Happy Birthday, Lauren

It’s true. My baby girl just turned SEVEN! It seems like just a moment ago that I wandered in amazement at her perfectly formed little fingers and toes… and now I am wandering at the evidences of God’s grace I see in her life.

Chris reminded me that a couple of years ago I didn’t know if she’d live to see her 6th Birthday (5 was a hard age! Whew!). At her party, I watched Lauren serve her friends, include her little brother at lunchtime, and play with friends from 4 to 11 without discrimination. These do not come naturally to seven-year-olds (or their 28 year old Moms!) nor are they entirely taught.

Today, I’m documenting the way the Lord is growing you into a godly woman, Lauren. You are a blessing to Mommy and I’m thankful you are a model for sweet little Georgia Anne to watch and learn from. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Georgia Anne

This article was originally printed in The Creekline.

     Col 3:23-24   Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

This passage always comes to mind when I am doing a task I do not particularly enjoy.  “I need to iron well because I’m serving the Lord by blessing my hubby in this way,” I tell myself.  But today, this passage has taken on a whole new meaning.

I am choosing to set aside my perfectionist ways for a bit.  Ironing, cleaning, and all other kinds of work can wait.  For this brief season, I’m going to choose to focus on the Lord’s gifts to me and let the busy work that daily distracts fall aside.

Today, I have decided to put aside researching for my article.  Instead I’ll study a teeny dimple as it materializes and then vanishes on a perfectly formed cheek.  I’m snuggling on the bed, staring into deep pools of blue wondering at the depth possible in two little eyes.  Today, I hold Georgia Anne Olsen in my arms- our precious new baby girl.

The stock market isn’t offering much of a return right now.  Recently bought houses are selling below their purchase price.  The economy is an interesting topic of conversation.  These things don’t shake me today.  I’m holding my reward.  This precious bundle, and her older siblings, are my inheritance.  An investment with immediate returns!!