To Our Middlest - Our Five-Year-Old!

How did it happen so fast, Kerri Grace? 

 

In the blink of an eye, you have gone from our tiny little five pound sack of sugar to our sweet five-year-old sugar overload!

 

What have you added to our family over these past five years?  Giggles, pretend play that we never knew existed, cuddles, cute phrases made even cuter by your huge personality and adorable little lisp (which is going away as you get older), many evenings chasing lightning bugs, more days spent digging for worms, sweet bedtime conversations about Jesus and Heaven, singing made up songs, and even more love than we knew our hearts could hold!  We thank Jesus for the amazing gift He entrusted us with ,when he sent us YOU!

We had a Ballerina Birthday Party for you, and you were absolutely giddy.  It was so fun to watch you play and enjoy your day with your sweet little friends.  This is the first year that you were more concerned about your friends than your family - I love watching you mature.

Mommy worked hard to decorate the house just right.

 

 

 

 

We had a "real ballerina" come to teach us some fun moves.  Miss Laurel was so sweet, and you loved having her at your party.

 

 



 

Oliver thought the party was for him.  You and Maggie put a tutu on him, and all the little dancers thought that was so funny!

We had a fancy dinner, and we served some of your favorites - Chic-fil-a nuggets, chips, watermelon, fruit snacks, and pink lemonade.

We have to stretch first.

 

We danced, and danced, and danced some more!

 

 Blow out your candles!

We served chocolate cake, and of course, that was your favorite part of the meal.

 

You have definitely inherited your mom's love of receiving gifts. :)

 On your birthday day, your grandparents spoiled you some more!  You loved having all of their attention.

 

Happy 5th Birthday to our Favorite Middlest, Kerri Grace!

We Love You So Much!



Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. - Psalm 127:3

 



My Party Planner

Maggie planned quite the party last night! Why, you ask?  Maybe because it was Thursday? =)

 

She created an invitation for each of the guests:

You're Invited! 7:39
1. Wear your favorite costume or fancy clothes.
2. Time is 7:39.
3. Make sure you know how to dance.
4. Please no chewing gum.
5. We eat first so make sure you are careful.
6. Make sure you know what you're wearing.

 Maggie and Daddy picked out the perfect songs:

 

 

We all picked out our costumes (with the help of the girls, of course).  We ended up with characters out of what could have been a scene in High School Musical.  The script was far from Hollywood picture perfect (with Oliver slapping Maggie and ending up in time out for a while), but it still was super fun!

 

It is kind of hard to see Maggie's outfit, but she has on a cheerleading shirt.  And, Kerri Grace and Oliver are a stretch, for sure.  But, we all belong in the same place... 

 

So, who can guess what we are all dressed up as?

 

( PS. I totally stole the "Guess the Costume" idea off of Elizabeth Osborn's blog.  I hope you are flattered and not offended, Elizabeth)

Our Greatest Valentine

My Sweet Oliver,

You turned one year old on Valentine's Day!!

    

I'll be honest, Mommy is not really a "baby person."  Sure, I have loved certain parts of you and your sisters being babies (the cuddles, the rocking, the feedings, the sweet open-mouthed kisses), but I am always more excited than sad that the first year is over.  With that being said, I have been really emotional during the week leading up and the week after your birthday.  I have been trying to sort through my feelings and pray about what the underlying cause is for all of these bittersweet emotions. And, I think I have figured it out.... I am completely overwhelmed by the blessing and healing that the Lord has brought through you, sweet boy!  He did not have to give us you after losing your siblings to miscarriage, but He showed us such kindness and love by sending us a precious valentine just from Him!  I know that the Lord has big plans for your life, if you will follow Him.  He has already used you to minister to your parents and family.  I pray that the Lord grabs hold of your heart and uses it to do mighty things for His Kingdom.  

Thank you for all of the smiles, giggles, grunts, squeals, hugs, kisses, and complete joy you have brought us this past year, Oliver.  I love you so much, sweet boy!  

Happy Birthday to Our Greatest Valentine!

Mommy

Here are a few hundred pictures of Oliver's birthday celebration.  We had a fun time!

The Decorations 

Our Family

Oliver Showing Off His Muscles!

Family and a Few of Oliver's Little Friends Came to Celebrate!

An Attempt at Getting a Picture of All the Babies

Happy Birthday to Oliver!!!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

-Ephesians 3:20-21