Cordelia, Age Five

We've had a fun several days celebrating Cordelia's 5th birthday.  I so love that girl! It seems those 5 years went by so quickly but on the other hand, it is hard to think of a time when we didn't even know her.

Tonight, I feel such gratitude. I was standing behind Cordelia and looking across at Maria as we sang Happy Birthday. Suddenly, I was reminded of how I stood by Cordelia in the hospital right after she was born and I looked across her to Maria.  I remember being very aware that Maria was bleeding. She was bleeding much more than what is normal. I so clearly remember looking at that new baby girl and realizing she might be raised without her mother. It was an awful moment. Still, I think it is important to remember it as it just makes me so, so grateful for how that story went.  The doctor saved Maria's life. Her wonderful body was designed to rebuild the lost blood. She recovered and she has been an absolute wonderful mother to her beautiful girls.

OK, enough of that.

Now, enjoy photos from Cordelia's birthday party.

 Cordy invited her preschool teachers, who were so gracious to attend.

Kylie and Gwen were her teachers from previous years.

Amanda is her current teacher.

Cordelia really, really loves her teachers!

The cupcake pinata was a hit.

 One of Cordelia's guests was a little boy who lives across the street.

He and Cordelia were born on the same day,

in the same hospital,

delivered by the same doctor.

Isn't it strange/cool that they ended up living

across the street from each other?

Maria and Eric did such a nice job with this party.

They didn't spend a stupid amount of money.

They got out all their fun stuff, spread

it around the backyard and let the kids

just be kids.

It was great!

As the party progressed, the

play got a bit more wild and crazy.

The kids had so much fun!

The kids loved all piling into the tent and rolling!

I didn't even ask...

One guest was very young but

Cordelia enjoyed her as well.

Happy Birthday, beautiful granddaughter!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Our baby is 21 today!  It is hard to believe, except when you look at him. At 6'4" or more, it is hard to convince anyone that he's still our little guy.

Sam was a joy to raise and is a joy to know as a man. He may be a blue-eyed redhead but he is one of the most mellow personalities I've ever met. He is also witty and smart. He's got a soft heart and he loves his people. We love him, too!

Notice that Sam is still wearing a D.A.R.E. t-shirt. Didn't he take that course in about 5th or 6th grade? Cute, huh?

Cordelia and Elise enjoyed delivering his presents to him 

but the wrappings were still more interesting to them. 

Elise got excited over the brown paper!

 Both girls enjoyed the box.

Isn't that typical?

And now, as an extra present for Sam, I just want to sign 

off with some more photos from last month.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

As you know, my Mom has been through some trials lately. She has had a few difficulties.

As you also know, I love my Mom dearly. And guess what?! Today is her birthday!

Given all she has been through and the courage she has shown, as well as how much
I  love her,
I wanted to get her a card that tells what she means to all of us.

She deserves a card that expresses how much we value her, how we know she has always been the stabilizer in our family. She has been our rock. She is inspiring in her steadfast love toward us all.

 

Maybe next year I will get her a card that says all that mushy stuff.

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Happy Birthday, Elise!

Elise is two years old today! 

And oh, how we love that little girl!

Elise at two is an interesting little person for sure! 

She is smart and funny. 

She is loving and polite. 

She has strong opinions and she knows how to express them! 

She snuggles with her whole self.

She loves pink.

Spiderman makes her smile.

Grandpa makes her smile.

Happy birthday, little sweet girl.

We love you so much!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

I do not remember the last time we got to spend Ben's birthday with him but he is visiting here from the East Coast and today is his day! Yay!

Ben is a guy full of energy and when he is here it is most definitely NOT dull. Cordelia and Elise are loving having another uncle around for a bit! It's so nice to see his smiling face... I like having all three of my children within reach.

We love you Ben! 

Happy Birthday! 

We're glad you are here!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Our daughter has excellent taste! One example is her taste in husband.

She chose someone who is talented, kind, hard-working and .....

goofy! That is to say, he blends right into our family.

If you'd like to see a photo of him when he is not posing as a crazy I-Phone-Carrying Lumberjack, just click right here.

Happy birthday, Eric! We are so happy you are one of us!

Maria!

Today is Maria's birthday!

I could not be more proud of this lovely daughter of our's. 

She is tender, talented, kind, funny and has such a beautiful spirit it simply lights her up. She is a great friend, a delightful mother and a dear daughter.

Have a happy day, Maria!

We love you!

Wo-wa

Last Saturday when the little girls were at our house Elise kept asking, "Wo-wa go?"  She'd look so perplexed and extend her little arms out, palms up. She was wondering where are family friend, Laura, was.







We invite Laura to our Sunday Night Family Dinners (yep, these dinners are so special, I use capital letters) because we've enveloped her into our family. She has a lovely family and is most definitely not lacking in that way. They live out of state, though, so we like to be her family-away-from-family.


We don't want her to be lonely, plus, she just fits in and we enjoy her so much. I think Elise believes that she lives here.

Anyway, today is Laura's birthday! Happy Day to you, Laura!

We actually celebrated her day on Sunday by going out to eat together. Except that Elise wasn't feeling well, it was a nice evening.

Eric told us that Cordelia spent a good deal of time planning her outfit for the party. She was quite beautiful!


We have only cell phone photos to share, but they are better than none at all.

Anyway, we just want to say Happy Birthday to our friend and pseudo family member, Laura.

Hope your day is wonderful!

Happy Birthday, Tina!

I want to say something to my little sister, Tina...

I'm getting a lot better at cake-decorating, aren't I (wink, wink)?  OK, that photo is from foshefamiliy.blogspot.com.  Anyway, I hope you have a lovely day! You have always been such a sweet sister, I want to be the first to wish you a Happy 31st birthday!  (That little lie about your age is my gift to you... you're welcome.)

If you want to know about a person with real courage, read about my sister here, where I talk of some of my memories of her childhood dealing with cerebral palsy.  Then click here to check out her blog and read some of her memories first hand.  She now uses her blog to help others deal with cerebral palsy.

There is more to my sister, though, than her ability to deal with cerebral palsy. She is a mother who wants the best for her children. She is a daughter who honors her own mother. She is a sister who worries about my problems even when her own are much greater. She is also a friend to many. So, join me in telling her...

(Thank you, Google Images, for all the above photos. I didn't even realize you knew my sister.)