The Ambitious Life

 Jacob, This was a big year!  You turned 10!  That meant a birthday trip with dad and you guys went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  You guys did a mirror maze, rode the big ferris wheel, and bought SWORDS!  You guys carried those swords to the top of the mountain which I think was pretty incredible!  I know it was fun time with your dad, but I wish I could have been there! For your birthday I redid your bedroom and added some display shelves for your Lego creations.  I also added a bulletin board and dry erase board.  Grandma, Abi, and Grace helped me!  It was a surprise when you got home from your trip and I hope you love it! You are turning into such a helpful young man.  You do the things I ask quickly and cheerfully.  It is helpful to to me and your dad.  I appreciate the way you serve your family.  You also really like to mop which delights me! :) You are learning how to read a room so much better.  You are thou...

Levi, This was a big year!  You turned 10!  That meant a birthday trip with dad and you guys went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  You guys did a mirror maze, rode the big ferris wheel, and bought SWORDS!  You guys carried those swords to the top of the mountain which I think was pretty incredible!  I know it was fun time with your dad, but I wish I could have been there! You are getting braces this year and handling that like a champion.  It'll take some getting used to, but I know you'll adjust.  You love to read and are obsessed with Wingfeather Saga (which Grandma got you for your birthday).  You still love Legos and come up with some really creative builds.  I'm always so impressed.  For your birthday I redid your bedroom and added some display shelves for your Lego creations. You are both a night owl and early riser and I never feel like you get enough sleep.  You are finishing up a cross stitch project that I can't wait to see you ...

   Grace, You are such a lovely girl.  You are a huge help to me and dad babysitting when we need to run out.  You are also so good at doing the little girls' hair that I often give you that job before we need to leave the house.   You have taken a huge interest in hair this year and getting highlights was the only thing you wanted for your birthday (other than a phone, which wasn't about to happen!).  You watch hair tutorials all the time and are learning all kinds of new skills.  It is impressive, even more so I think because you've done it on your own. Watching you grow into this beautiful young woman is so fun and encouraging.  I love that you still come to talk to me about hard stuff and don't shy away too much from difficult conversations.  You have shown great discernment in the books you are reading and the stuff you put into your head.   I'm proud of you kiddo! Love, Mom Birthday cake: chocolate chocolate chocolate cake Birthda...

  Tim-boy,  How are you seven already?  It amazes me how fast time goes and you are my littlest boy.  Goodness.  Your smile lights up every room you are in.  You have so much personality and people are always telling me how sweet you are and how thoughtful you are.  I see it.  You will still get in my lap and sit with me.  You give hugs like they are the best thing ever.  You are a delight.  You have so much spunk in you sometimes it is hard to reign it in.  You know what you want and go for it.  You love to share a room with Isaac and don't like being by yourself at night or at rest time.  You love to build Legos - both out of kits and of your own imagination!  It's so fun to watch.   You are starting to learn the value of money and ask me to buy stuff all the time!  It's fun to watch you try to figure out how to earn money to get what you want - usually Legos. :)  You delight me and I love to wat...

 Abigail Ann, You are becoming such a lovely young woman - it is a pleasure to watch you grow up and see how things I've seen in you since you were little (creativity and kindness) become even more refined.  You have developed a love of reading which shocks and delights me!  It is so fun to watch you get excited to explore worlds in books. You are kind and generous.  You often share things with siblings that is above and beyond generous.  You think of others often before yourself.  You also have a fiery side that comes out in a protective way and it is also fun to watch personality just flow out of you.   You are noticing boys a lot more and watching you navigate that whole new world has been delightful.  You are handling it well and I'm glad to watch you mature. Abi, you delight me and I am so thankful you are mine.  You are helpful and kind.  You are thoughtful and generous.  You are a firecracker and a delight.  Keep it...

   Faith,  You are SO excited about turning five!  Your morning started with helium balloons in your bedroom thanks to your Dad.  Then we had coco puffs and lucky charms.  For a minute you believed that I forgot to make you a birthday cake, but my friend Christina made you the coolest unicorn cake.  You were delighted!  You have changed so much in the past year.  You are fiesty and independent but still love to give hugs and kisses.  You play hard, love hard, and desperately want to be one of the big kids.  I think though, you are still ok with some of the extra attention and privileges that being little gets you.  Daddy took you to get your ears pierced - you picked out little diamond earrings and they are adorable!  You are so excited and I was surprised that you were so excited to go!    I am so excited to see how you are getting so big and just enjoying life!  Keep it up princess!  Love, Mama B...

  Rae,  You are my sunshine, my Rae of sunshine!  That is your absolute favorite song to sing with and to me.  It's lovely.  You're lovely.  You have such a big personality and it has been so fun to watch.  You love to draw - sometimes even all over your body in marker.  You like when your sisters do your nails and you love to twirl in dresses.  You also love to play in the dirt and aren't afraid of a mess.   You love to play with the big kids, doing anything that they will include you in.  Abi loves to do crafts, Grace will do your nails, and the boys treat you like a little princess, most of the time!  You are a delight and a joy and it is obvious by the way your siblings enjoy being around you. I am proud of you, chicky, and I can't wait to keep watching you grow! Love, Mama Birthday cake: 6 layer cake, dyed rainbow colors!  Birthday Dinner: hamburgers and french fries Favorite Toys: coloring and playdough Favor...

Isaac,  I am so so proud of you!  I have so much enjoyed getting to spend even more time with you as we are working on school this year.  You understand so much, so quickly and it is fun to see these things, especially math, come easy to you.  You often look like you aren't paying attention then surprise me with a spot on answer!  You are a joy and a delight!  You are so great at building Legos and following the instructions for those - but you show so much creativity when you build things all on your own!  Papa told you that he no longer considers you one of the little kids, but includes you in the big kids now - you show responsibility and self control and I love to see the privileges that come with that!  You are so quick with a hug and often ask me to stop to give you one - I love it!  You'll still hold my hand when we go out and are quick to give me a kiss as well.  You are definitely a big kid though, able to do so much without me...