Birthday Girls Part 2

Something you may or may not know about me is that I am a huge procrastinator. Just ask my high school classmates. I was voted #1 Procrastinator. Wait... I'm not suppose to be proud of that?? Well, at least I was voted for something. (I think I was also voted "Always Late") Shocking, huh?! I know, you're thinking I should have won Smartest or Best Looking but it was tough competition. :-)

Anywho...way back in April I was telling about my Birthday Girls. I meant to talk about Brooklyn a few days later. A few days easily turns into a few weeks in this house. (Just look at the expiration date on the sour cream in my fridge.) Without anymore delay let me introduce my sweet daughter Brooklyn Alexis.

That is a phone in her hand, although not the phone that she now has (another story). Our gift to our teens is a phone. It may seem like a generous gift but they have to pay for their own monthly lines. So it is really up to them if they want one or not. I really like them having their own phones! It's like they have supervised freedom! We now have THREE teenagers in the house. Shew! Some days this place is teeming with at.ti.tude. But mostly I can't imagine life without these wonderful minors!

Miss B is affectionately known as Babbling Brook. Believe me....it fits. She got the nick name when she was a wee one. She shared a bedroom with Austin and Dakota. So many nights I would hear, "Mommy, make Brooklyn stop talking! I can't sleep." She would literally talk herself to Dreamland. Eleven years later things aren't much different. The sound is usually singing now. And this girl can SING! I love listening to her. B has a  heart like no other. She is an amazing  child  young lady who blesses so many with her bubbly personality, loving heart and compassionate view of life.

Babies and little ones are drawn to her, as are her peers. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She has a heart for the Lord and I am constantly in awe of her perceptiveness. He has great things planned for her future. I love that she still comes to me EVERY night before bed to pray with her. I use to have this unsettling feeling that God would take her when she was little. (Shame on me!) When she was 3 she said to me, "Mommy, did you know that deaf people can hear God?" It came from nowhere. I didn't even know she understood what "deaf" meant. Then at age 4 she came to me crying because she wanted to "go home to Heaven and be with Jesus". Again, there was nothing to prompt her to feel that way. (Do you blame me for feeling unsettled?) She is also my one child who will apologize for "crimes" she has committed that I was clueless to. Example: "Mom, please forgive me for thinking bad thoughts about you." (after she was disciplined for something). Yes... I may have a perfect child....Ok....not really. She is human, after all. AND a teen! The sassiness has seeped in. But I can handle a little sass. I think if you would ask my mom she would tell you that I was the Queen of Sassy. (Well, I had a lot to say as a teenager. I'm sorry that my words came out sounding cheeky, Mom.) Being a parent is a hard job! But it is also very rewarding. I feel so honored that God has put Brooklyn in our family. I'm not deserving of such amazing kids but I sure am thankful! I love you, Brookie Cookie!

We took the girls to El Arriero for their birthday lunch. The food is yummy and so is the location!

4 Eyes X 2

I was hoping that my kids would all get their dad's good eye sight. After all, they got my good looks. (Kidding, kidding.) I got my glasses in the 8th grade...the age right between where Dakota and Brooklyn are now. I remember walking out of the eye clinic and being able to see individual leaves on trees and clouds that had shapes and weren't just blobs. I had a suspicion that D needed glasses. She was all squinty when trying to read a sign from afar. I was a bit surprised, however, that B needed them too. They were both delighted about having to get them. Honestly, what teenager isn't? We all might say we don't want them and what a bother they are, but you know deep down it is kind of exciting to be able to change our appearance. Or as B said, "add to our accessories."

The doctor said that both of them do not have to wear their glasses all of the time. Optional glasses? It doesn't get better than that. I remember a time when it was the same for me. Now, if I'm not wearing my glasses I can't tell a chicken from a duck. (Personal experience.)

I have a feeling that the newness will eventually wear off and I will resort to a nagging mom, reminding them to not forget their glasses. I could be wrong.

 They may like the scholarly look. 

But if they are anything like me there will be contact lenses in their future.

Birthday Girls Part I

I may not have the set of twins that I have always wanted but I do have children that share a birthday. My oldest two daughters were born on the same day two years apart. It wasn't planned by me, but it sure is convenient! They have the same group of friends so we have always thrown one big celebration. Last year they had invited the entire jr. high church youth group (girls). Giggly Girls. And it was a sleepover. And I just had a baby 2 weeks prior. May not have been the most ideal scenario but we made it work. And the girls had a blast. (If you don't count the girl who had facebook on her phone and updated about the lame party she was attending. Oops. She should have checked her friend list to see who could read that comment. All is forgiven. :-) ) Kodi and Brooklyn told me recently that they want to try to have two separate parties this year. (sad sigh) I don't blame them for wanting a little more independence from each other and of course they would be at each other's party. But with everything going on in our lives right now one of them would have to wait until June for their party. So we will have another year of lots of chatty girls. (I love chatty girls!) Since their big day is in TWO days....I better start planning. :-) No, actually the girls have it planned. We're down to getting a date set. Never an easy task when the calendar is already inked up.

Let's talk about my firstborn girl, Dakota Lynn; or Kodi. (Cue music for Sunrise Sunset).....Is this the little girl I carried...........I don't remember growing older, when did they??? FIFTEEN years ago Dakota was born after being induced a week after her due date because my doctor was going on vacation. Can we say, "Annoying!"? In fact, she was delivered by a nurse and another doc because mine was home packing for her trip. You know, those labor books said I should have had another couple hours. :-) But, God in His infinite wisdom knew what He was doing. (Of course) She was born with her cord tightly wrapped twice around her neck and she needed some help to start breathing. I had a peace while I wondered why I couldn't hold her right away. She spent her whole hospital stay under the watch of the nurses and not in my room. Kodi was an easy baby, wonderful toddler, and an uncomplicated kid. Then the teen years hit...no, I'm just kidding. She is a joy to have as a daughter! She is creative, smart and witty! She is a little on the reserved side. You will usually find her with her nose in a book. I've been known to ground her from reading. *GASP* What kind of mother am I?

D and B on rival teams during a volleyball game.

Every year on or around their birthday I try to get some pictures of them. I had a fun time this year just clicking away while they were acting goofy.

I love how they have their own styles, from clothes to personalities. It's so refreshing! I'm enjoying watching these gals grow into lovely young women and especially watching them grow in their faith. They are such a blessing to me! And my very favorite picture of them....drum roll, please........

Happy Birthday, my lovelies!! I'm looking forward to our special date!

Let's celebrate!

My sister kindly reminded me that when I woke up yesterday morning I would enter into a new age bracket. The bracket for 35-50 year olds. Hmmm.....thanks, Sis, happy to join you. The month of April is a big month in this household. Four out of eight of us celebrate our birthday this month. Here is a recap of Faith's shindig:
Dakota and Brooklyn made the cake and cupcakes. I didn't even crack an egg. I was happy to hand over that chore...er...art project. I let them do whatever they wanted with their canvases.

The weather was ahh..mazing! It was too nice not to take the party outside. It was almost uncomfortably warm. Almost. That seems funny to say today, a day that the temperature is 35 degrees cooler with a bashful sun.

Faithy Pie partied til she dropped. It was a good, no, great day! My only grumble is that I didn't get enough pictures of the cousins! And did you see the pictures of Faith digging into her cake? You didn't?! Well, first of all, she didn't dig in. She poked a little here, picked an M&M there, took graceful bites and barely made a mess. And second, my video camera wasn't charged (and the charger was no where to be found) so I decided to use my digital camera in video mode to take footage of the cake attack. Or cake touch in her case. But, fear not, there is good news! I asked my awesome photographer SIL to capture some cake pictures! She clicked away and I can't wait to see what her artistic eye observed!

Fast forward 6 days from F's party and I am now in my mid-thirties. I awoke to precious, slobbery kisses from my littlest. (She seems to know the secret to wake up in Mommy and Daddy's bed. the secret is to arouse in the night. Mommy loves snuggles and is too sleepy/lazy to deal with crying.) I was treated to breakfast in bed by my so thoughtful 7 year old! It was a bowlful of cinnamon Life filled to the rim with milk, on a tray. I was just as thrilled to receive it as I was to know there was no mess carrying it up the stairs! I shared my Life with my kissy baby. I came downstairs to find that Emmaly also cleaned (straightened up) the dining and living rooms. I also got a foot rub from her. That girls knows how to give gifts! The weather wasn't nearly as wonderful as it was a week earlier. But it was perfect for staying inside, movies, popcorn, games and lounging.

As you can see from the picture, Hubby doesn't like his picture taken. But it was MY birthday and it's what I wanted. So, thanks, Hon. :-) We don't often get to watch tv or movies together as a family. Mostly because there isn't enough time in a day. But also because there aren't a lot of movies that we would all enjoy. What did we watch?......Star Wars. Well...not my first choice. Or my last choice but that's okay. It was a good excuse to eat kettle corn and laze around. I have been so blessed my last 34 years. I wonder what year 35 has in store?? Here I am, Lord, ready or not. But mostly ready!!