birthday Archives - Page 2 of 2

Today, you turn six.

It’s been a good year beloved ones.

We’ve had change and adventure and yet a stable foundation to keep you grounded – God, church, mommy and daddy, your grandparents, and the same home we brought you into from the hospital.

You each got trips with daddy to the farm or the ranch. PLUS, you each stayed all by yourself at the farm with grandma and grandpa. We got to visit Gaby and Papa in Oklahoma, and Mimi taught you how to play dominos and Sorry.

We went on our first family vacation in over two years: an adventure out West to Yosemite National Park and then Lake Tahoe. You fell in love with the house cat and stormed up mountain bases and begged to play in the streams.

You tried out all sorts of new activities over this year – from gymnastics to ballet and tee-ball to soccer, you’re running faster and learning to be good sports (which is more important than winning).

You seamlessly moved to a new school and started kindergarten, and you are already reading and writing and adding and subtracting.

But more than these joint efforts and activities, you are EACH your own individual.

Sweet S,

You’ve always been so curious about the Bible and God. In Pre-K3, they called you the preacher, and your Kindergarten teacher already has you pegged for the seminary. In June you asked Jesus to come into your heart and we danced with the angels.

You have grown so fast and so strong in sports this year. I’m proud of how you’re learning how to balance competition with good sportsmanship.

You love your grandfather and are heartbroken there’s no more square baling to do this fall as it’s your favorite. You still struggle with wanting to cry over all the things, but I know God is going to use that sensitivity for His good purpose. I can’t wait to see what this next year holds dear one.

Love you all the way to the moon and back, Mommy

Darling L,

I watched this week as you painstakingly made your bed and arranged all your stuffed animals in particular order, and then you promptly went to sleep in the floor because you didn’t want to mess it up. You remind me so much of myself – but better!

You are fierce and talented and brave and strong. After three years of ballet, you decided to try gymnastics and are working your heart out to rock that too. You struggled the first week of swim team, but went on to be the only five year old in the finals!

You’ve developed some sass this year, so I’m praying we foster your independence and intellect while ensuring you exhibit respect and gratitude. I’m so thankful God sent me a girl; you teach me so much.

I love you oodles and oodles and bunches and bunches, Mommy

Dear W,

You see and hear everything my curious little sponge. You always have. Not only do you absorb all of the knowledge and information around you, but you also absorb others emotions. You have great discernment and compassion, but with all of that ability to feel comes your struggles with sadness and anger. You are learning to, and we are working toward, improving together.

You are already reading so quickly and you have a deep understanding of the things you absorb. You adore your daddy and would follow him to the ends of the earth, or to the best fishing hole or deer stand.

You asked Jesus to come into your heart RIGHT before our adventure in Alabama together. We had time to explore and laugh (with fierce games of pool ball!) and play and understand each other better – we’re both just working to “calm down!”

I love you with all of my heart, Mommy

Today happens to be my handsome hubby’s birthday.

We took a vacation day so we could spend a three day weekend at the farm.

July is a big birthday month for his family. His mom kicks us off at the beginning of the month. Luckily, this year we were at the farm earlier this month to celebrate with her too.

We have a niece and nephew with a July birthday. Then his dad’s birthday hits and finally his!

I’ve come to love farm birthdays.

Now I love to throw a big party, and Lord knows the trio have had their fair share, but there’s something about birthdays with dirt smeared blue jeans and summer-hot-cheeks and homemade cakes served up with an ample scoop of ice cream.

I love to bake. I don’t have nearly the time at home. But almost every time I’m at the farm I get to bake. Bake and write. Two of the best things ever.

So after an easy lunch of sandwiches, chips and fruit, the whole crew, save two of the three five year olds, took naps in the heat of the day and woke to celebrate my father-in-law’s (belatedly) and husband’s birthday with coffee, cake and ice cream.

I tried my hand at Tres Leches again because it is Bray’s favorite dessert and it really turned out. I had baked it in the morning while the crew were out fishing, Lord help us they caught an alligator (I may never adjust to the bayou), so it had plenty of time to chill.

We lit four candles, to represent the last digit of his age, and sang happy birthday. After we cut big slices of the yummy goodness, we sat around the well worn table eating and talking while it was too hot to venture out. Grandpa opened his birthday presents, and daddy asked to wait until his birthday rolled around this morning to unwrap his (it killed the kids who LOVE to open daddy and mommy’s presents…).

Talk turned to their various plans and while two ran to check on the peppers they’d picked earlier to use for supper, dad and grandpa and the eldest ran to town for boat supplies.

I loaded dishes and then watched the beautiful summer storm roll in.

This is a life I could never have envisioned. I had none of this growing up. My clothes were always pressed and my hair was always fixed. I read instead of catching frogs behind the shutters. I took piano lessons instead of baiting hooks and baling hay.

It’s still stops me in my tracks: the space my kids have access to and the bravery they show working cows and holding a line with an alligator at the end. They dream bigger and plan fearlessly and adventure more because they see a big world and know the grandeur of God.

They’ve still got a momma that screams when the frog jumps on her sandal and begs them to back further from the dock, but I’m learning and letting go a little more every time. And I’m certainly embracing every moment of our stripped down birthday parties – the beauty of a handmade cake, the birthday song sung off key with gusto, and a celebration filled with those you hold most dear in life.

On Your Sixth Birthday

Birthdays