Happy Birthday Hannah :)

Hannah,  Happy 8th birthday!!!  It's hard to believe that another year has passed and here I am writing you another birthday letter.  It's been a big year for us.  You gained four brother's this year when mommy married
Brian.  You have adjusted well and seem to love being our only girl :)  You have no problem bossing the boys around and making sure they act according to your girly ways - ha ha.  The first thing we hear in the morning is "Boy's get in here and flush the toilet"  "Put the seat down"  - lol.  Life with boys is messy but you have so enjoyed having them around. 

You are in second grade this year and your teacher is Mrs. Allspaw.  She told us at your parent teacher conference that you have a great personality.  You have the potential to be a great leader but at this point you do more following than leading (whether good or bad) so she is making it her goal to get you to lead by the end of the year.  She said you remind her a lot of herself :)  You are doing great in school and made all A's and one B on your report card. 

You love to jump rope.  You asked us if you could try out for the jump rope team at school (coming up this Spring).  You are playing soccer with the YMCA this Spring.  I don't think you are really interested much in playing but the boys are playing so you decided to sign up :)

From the time you were a little toddler you have said you wanted to be a doctor.  That has not changed.  You have said you want to be a pediatrician.  We told you how much schooling it will take and you are still persistent on it.  I guess we have a few years before you really have to make that decision - lol. 

We had your birthday party at the church this year.  You invited Lily, Maegan, Julianna, Isabella, Nevaeh, Ella, and Ava.  Gabe had his party at the same time.  We played hot potato, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, and had a relay race.  It was a great time.  You were thrilled to get squinkies, zoobles, a bracelet making kit, and a friendship stone.  MeMe took you to get your ears pierced for your birthday.  She said you almost came home with one earring.  You realized after the first one that it was pretty painful so it took them 10 minutes to convince you to get the other one done - ha ha.  You came home with the cutest Hello Kitty earrings. 

You have a high energy personality.  You are silly and fun and you have a wonderful giggle :)  You ask lots of questions and you are not afraid to voice your opinion (which often leads to a time out).  You are the first to stick up for someone that is getting disciplined.  You love old people and could spend hours in a nursing home loving on the elderly.  You also love babies :)  At Christmas you wanted to hold your nephew, Elias, as much as possible.  He was as big as you but that didn't stop you.

I love you so much.  You have been through so much change and transition.  I am so proud of the way you have flourished through it all.  When times were hard it was your sunny personality that got me through.  I have so many memories of you being the light in my life when everything around me seemed dark.  I am so thankful to God for you.  You are my sweet girl.  My only daughter.  A true gift from above.

Happy Birthday!!!  I love you to the moon and back :)  ~Mom

Happy Birthday Gabe!!!

Gabe, This is my very first letter to you.  It's hard to believe I didn't even know you one year ago.  Our lives have changed so much in just one year.  I remember meeting you for the first time.  You were a bit reserved and a little unsure.  I realized you might be the hardest one to get to know.  I prayed about our time together and asked God to help me to get to know you more.  That was the start of something special :)

What I have learned about you in the year I have known you is this . . . . You have a big heart, you have lots of questions about life, you are super sweet, you have a natural skill in art, and you love to read.

You and I have had many long talks since those first prayers I prayed.  We talk about life, God, family, love, and just about everything in-between.  You won't go to sleep without getting a big hug and kiss from me.  In fact you usually need two or three (it makes my heart so happy).  We have developed quite a bond :)

You gained a sister and brother this year.  I think you are enjoying it although you and Hannah are so much alike that at times I think you are unsure about this sister thing.  We laugh at how similar the two of you are.  Hannah always tries to give you a big hug and kiss before bed and you usually try to run :)  If she forgets to give you a hug and kiss then you are upset.  It's a game between the two of you.

School comes easy for you.  You are in the accelerated programs at school.  Reading is your favorite thing to do.  We find you reading just about everywhere (even in the bathroom - haha).  I am amazed at your reading level and the amount of homework you are able to complete in one night.  I think you are going to outsmart me before too long!!  Everyone was amazed at your art skills at your school program this year.  We are very proud of all your talents.

You played football this year and really enjoyed it.  I have noticed that you are not super in to sports and would probably be ok without them.  You love legos, computer games, and chess.  We signed you up for soccer with your brothers for Spring.  I think you are happy to be on a team with Logan.  It should be a fun season.

Your personality is a bit high energy like Hannah.  You are sensitive, caring, aware of the world around you, and sweet.  You gave your birthday money and slinky to Grandpa Jack on his birthday (so sweet).  You are concerned for the homeless and less fortunate.  You would be the first to give up your toys or make pb&j's for the homeless.  Like Hannah, you get upset when others are in trouble.  You love family and you thank God for giving you a family almost every day.  You can also be slightly dramatic when you have a scrape, a bump, or any other condition that you are sure that you have :)  We do a lot of reassuring you that you are perfectly fine and that we are almost certain you will live - lol.  We get a kick out of it and we love you for it.

We have had many spiritual conversations and I believe you really understand what it means to follow Jesus with your heart and life.  I am so proud of the boy that you are.  You have taught me about faith and believing in things that seem impossible.  I love you so much and I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.  I am so excited to have a lifetime to get to know you more.  You are a very special boy and I love you with all my heart.

Happy Birthday!!  I love you to the moon and back!  ~Mom