My Darling Lorraine, on your birthday

Dear Lorraine,

Happy, happy birthday to you, my first baby.

Ten years ago today, you changed my world. You were my baby, and I was your mommy. Has it really been ten years since our newborn "honeymoon" days, when I'd change your frilly outfits just for fun, and spend hours just  watching you make funny baby faces?

We don't spend so much time staring into each others eyes any longer, but we do things that are even more fun, like night bounces on the trampoline, snuggling up with chapter books, and climbing trees.

I'm so glad we got to have that "girls night" at the hotel with Aggie to celebrate this big milestone!  Sometimes I feel like I spend so much time managing the littlest boys that I don't get a chance to connect with you.  It was so nice to get away and do that! And you girls are terrific shopping buddies, by the way! I loved watching you try on dresses and spin in front of the mirror, and I loved that you made me do it too!

I love the way you give me that knowing look when your brothers are being difficult. As you leave for school, you often say, "I'll definitely be praying for you today mama. Looks like you need it." You are old enough to know that, and to know that I am imperfect. You see my failings mixed in with my mothering.  Yet you love me, and I love that about you. I pray that my failings do not cloud your image of God your Father, but instead point to Him and our need for grace.

God is growing you into a beautiful young lady.  And you delight in your own beauty. I like that about you. I saw the way you looked at yourself in the mirror at the store, as if you could suddenly see yourself as a young woman.  And I see it, too. It scares me, because there are so many dangers out there. But our God is good, and He has his hand on you.  And as I pray my worries to Him, He teaches me to delight in the changes, in the beauty.

Girly!
Yes, those are heels on me,
but only because we didn't have to leave the house that night!

Happy tenth birthday, my dear Lorraine.

Love, Mom

Girls night

Friday night was special. Very, very special. The girls and I had a night OUT together, just us girls, ALL night. Lorraine is turning ten this week, and so, we celebrate.

Fun stop #1: Kids commons, where Aggie got creative.

Next, ice cream.

After that, we went shopping at the outlet malls in Edinburgh.

We spun in front of mirrors in our pretty dresses.

(Yes, I did it too.)

Then, to the hotel.

Of course, swimming and the hot tub.

A surprise for the girls:

tons of sister pictures printed for a new scrapbook.

Lots of remembering and rejoicing.

(Thank you, God, for giving these girls each other!)

 We played Go Fish about 1000 times.

and I even got in some of the pictures :)

The years go by so quickly!

Thank you, God, for little girls growing big!

valentines highlights

All Natural

After he came home from his big day today,

he needed an attitude adjustment.

So I sent him to his room.

100% All Natural

Attitude Adjustment 

Sledding at the parsonage!

We got a little snow again!

It melted a bit, but that didn't stop the school kids from having their sledding day for PE!

What fun!

The girls were there but I have no pictures. I was inside with the younger 2- they are sick today. Miss Schneider took these pictures!

It sounds like the kids had tons of fun!

After that Marcus got to go to Jonah's house for even more snow play! What a great afternoon!

the ultimate test

You may have heard we are on a bit of a health kick in this house.

And when we do things, we don't typically do things SMALL.

My dear husband bought me a juicer this week, and for the moment, he is cheerfully trying all of my experiments with it. 

Therefore, I am on a mission to make this practical and even (dare I dream?) tasty.  If it will get my hubby to eat his vegetables, it's worth the effort.  

And guess what? I think I'm getting the hang of it. 

Behold, the ultimate test-the 2 year old

What was in this one?

Well, my new favorite is simple: Spinach plus grapes. 

I was out of spinach though. So, this one had a few other things.

(Kale, mustard greens, cucumber, turnip, apples, a few grapes, and a couple strawberries.)

Was it good? 

Ask the two-year old. 2yr olds do not lie.