thirteen

As I think back on the day you were born, it feels as real as yesterday. No one could have ever prepared me for motherhood. For the love that would engulf my life in such a powerful way. 
For the past few years, I've watched you change little by little. Truthfully, I was nervous as I began to feel the shift and as you began to travel through foreign waters. 

Today, I feel a peace as I see the beautiful young lady you are becoming. You are filled with grace, love and wisdom beyond your years. Your faith in Jesus continues to grow and I've seen you lean on Him for strength and understanding. I'm so thankful for you and the lessons you continue to teach me. My prayer, is to be fully present in these days with you; to guide you and love you right where you are. I realize more than ever how precious our days, talks and moments together truly are. 

In those early years, it felt like we had forever together. Today, as we celebrate 13 years of you, forever doesn't seem like enough.

birthday cake-one day late

Today, you had your birthday cake. One day late. Just us at home on the back porch. You loved your cake so much.  I think chocolate must be your favorite. After having your cake, we spent some time by the lake.   Love these simple moments, watching you explore. 

birthday girl

Birthday bath. In what feels like the blink of an eye, our baby girl is one. It's so ironic how I can simultaneously feel the brevity of time; yet, can't remember life without you. So grateful for you. 

Right here, right now.

Yesterday, I celebrated 41 years of life. We spent the afternoon at the Gulf, at one of my most favorite places. As we drove home last night, my eyes filled with tears. There was a sense of joy and peace I felt. I realize so often in life we are living in "waiting". Waiting for the next thing. Whatever that may be. All I could think about was how right now feels. How grateful I am to be here and to know love like I do. At 41, I wish for nothing more, but to be here, aware and present in all God has given me. To truly soak in each of these moments. I'm grateful for every year that has brought me to today. Grateful for lessons learned and abundant grace. Most of all, I'm grateful for the story Christ continues to write for me. Without Him and His love, nothing would be the same.

My birthday at the beach

Today, I got to spend my birthday at one of my most favorite places. So grateful for 41 years of life. Thankful for the lessons God has taught me each day. Thankful for the love He has given me. Thankful for his abundant and never ending grace. 

twelve

Each birthday is bittersweet. The years seem to fly; each one seems faster than the one before. We savor the days together, but time is something all too precious that cannot be slowed down. 

She feels it too now. She is in no rush to grow up. I love that about her. I am starting to see glimpses of what she will be like as a woman; now in this space between child and adult. 
She feels with all her heart and is full of compassion. She is grace and teaches me daily more than I ever dreamed. 

I pray she will continue to seek God, to lean on Him always. 

So grateful for this girl and the day I became a mama twelve years ago.

a favorite gift

weekend reflection

The end to a great weekend away celebrating her 6th birthday . I think the highlight of the weekend for me was dinner at the America Girl doll store. Big brother and dad were awesome about joining us and the girls had such a fun time! We ended yesterday with a few hours at the Magic Kingdom.

This pregnant mama is exhausted. I realized yesterday marked 22 weeks and we are now on the downside. I am so grateful for this special time in the life of our family. Back to reality and our own beds tonight. Getting away is always nice but there's nothing like getting back home.

a special night out

Last night we shared a special evening as a family at the American Girl store. The girls had such a fun time eating dinner at the bistro for the first time. Dad and big brother were so awesome to join us and make the best of a very girly situation.  It was a night we will all remember forever. 

happy sixth birthday

Birthday wishes. It's hard to believe she has spent five birthdays in this home. Before moving back to Florida we had never lived in one home longer than about two years. 
Every time I see these four cousins together I am reminded of what a blessing this time is. I have three siblings ranging in age 13 years from oldest to youngest. Starting with the birth of our daughter, we each had a girl every six/nine months. Now these four girls all live on the same street, growing up together. I will never take these days for granted !

almost six

On Friday our baby girl turns 6. I came across these words I wrote last year at this same time:

“Every year as her birthday nears, I think back on those early days when she arrived almost 8 weeks early. Those days were filled with moments of darkness for me. With questions of uncertainty. With fear. With my own extreme sickness. Often times, I still get very emotional when I think of this time. There was a hope and light ever present amidst all of the darkness. God gave us every thing we needed. Now, every time I see this preemie of ours I am reminded fully of the light I needed in those dark hours. I am reminded that our plans may not be His, but how His are so much greater. Sometimes it takes days, months, even years to see it, but it is always true.”

Now, pregnant with our 4th child, my mind often fills with fears of what may come in the months ahead. I often worry that I will get sick again with pre-eclampsia or something different. There are days that the anxiety seems to take over; even when I know God is in control. And then, I look at our preemie and I remember we have never been forsaken.

God wants us to call on Him and seek Him. He wants us to find our rest in Him. None of us know what tomorrow holds and we cannot let worry steal today’s joys.

We celebrate our preemie’s six years of life and the strong willed, spirited, curious, loving girl she has become. She has brought us such joy during these years. I would not be who I am today without each and every experience God has brought me through. I am grateful for His provision and never ending grace.

Happy 6th birthday to our sweet girl.

“ His grace covers me. This is all I know. All I need” 
-unknown

popi's birthday

birthday boy

You turned 8 today. I thank God for the plan He had for you in our world. You are sensitive and full of love and compassion.You constantly remind me of what childhood feels like. You live with passion and share your heart with everyone you are around. So grateful for you and your life.

birthday costume party

sick at the hotel

We stayed at the Animal Kindgom Resort at Disney for your birthday. This morning, you woke up sick.  You stayed in bed and enjoyed the pretty view until you were feeling better. I am so thankful that you started to feel better and got to have a little time at the pool before we left.

birthday princesses

We had such a fun night away celebrating your birthdays.  We took you to the Bibidity Bopotiy Boutique, followed by the Frozen Sing Along at Disney Hollywood Studios.  It was a night I think you girls will always remember.

new birthday dresses

You and your baby doll both got new dresses for your birthday. It was reason to twirl.

five

celebrating at the magic kingdom

We spent the day at the Magic Kingdom in honor of your birthday tomorrow. We had such a fun time going on all of your favorite rides and enjoying time together,  just the five of us.

countdown

Mimi helped you make a chain to countdown until your birthday. It's almost here.