Happy Birthday Abigail

You are 7 years old! Happy Birthday! Abigail, what I love most about you is your sweet, sensitive heart. You have set an amazing example to your younger sisters about sharing, helping, and you LOVE being a part of a bigger family. You are a true blessing. Abigail, you love to read. In fact your teacher says that she catches you hiding your books & reading during your math lesson. Yes, you are my daughter!! You read to your sisters, and you will sit and read your children's Bible every night. I am in awe of your tender spirit towards God. You have asked Jesus to be the leader of your life, and have the Holy Spirit inside of your heart. Abigail, you truly shine, and I am SO proud to be your mom.

You are extremely snugly, and you frequently find me out - just to be near/with me. I LOVE it, and it is my prayer that our relationship is always close like this. I am so humbled that God has entrusted you to Papi and me. We pray often that God will help us guide you as you begin discern the plan God has for you, and grow into the amazing woman He has created you to be! Happy Birthday!!

You always loved fruit!

From the beginning, you and Jillian were best friends!

You are an AMAZING big sister.

This birthday we got to celebrate with Papi's family! Tio Charlie made your cake (yummy).

Our Dublin family came over on Sunday to celebrate again! The Brandon's are a true blessing to us! And they LOVE you!

Alexis can be found with one or both of the twins - almost always!

Happy Birthday Chloe! Happy Birthday Claire!!

Chloe & Claire, you girls celebrated your 2nd birthday (a few days ago). There are two overwhelming feelings that describe how I feel about you girls getting older: relief & gratitude.

I feel a sense of relief because that first year was HARD. I can sum up a lot by saying that Mommy does not function well on lack of sleep. As you girls get older, I am enjoying you more & more. It is a pure delight to watch your personalities develop & to watch how you interact with each other & your sisters. I LOVE it!

The second feeling is a sense of immense gratitude to God for how He has blessed us with you two. You girls were 8 weeks early & spent almost a month in the NICU. Papi and I made it through that time because the WHOLE family pitched in - in every way imaginable to help us 5 young kids. I look back & just praise God, because in less than a year:

- we found out we were pregnant with you girls

- moved from the Dominican Republic to Florida

- lived with Grammy, Tio Frank & Tia Sara, Frankie & Micah

- found out the pregnancy was a monoamniotic-monochorionic high risk pregnancy

- Mommy spent 2 months in the hospital while pregnant (Papi visited me every day)

- Papi became Mr. Mom

- Visited you girls every day in the NICU for almost a month

- Took you girls home with NO complications/medications/machines/surgeries

- Papi got a job in Georgia

- bought a house & moved to GA

Grammy holding Chloe.

Tia Sarah feeding Claire.

Grammy holding Chloe's hand while she eats.

Tia Sarah holding both you girls.
Your first day snuggling together!

Eating cake on your first birthday.

Claire

Chloe

Claire strapping her baby in her new stroller on her 2nd birthday.
Chloe carrying her new stroller around.


May God continue to bless, protect, and draw you close to Him. Chloe & Claire my strongest desire for you girls is that you will know that God has a plan & purpose for your lives, that you will from an early age accept the gift of Jesus in your lives, and that you will be sealed with the Holy Spirit and stay strong in the journey of your lives to love to the Lord with all of your mind, heart, body & soul! I love you girls. Happy Birthday.

Water & Dirt = FUN

I know some mothers will watch this video & immediately break out into a sweat, feel anxious, or praise God this is NOT their backyard & these are NOT their children. I guess with 5 young daughters I have chosen to pick & choose when to say no to messy play. Didn't we all play with mud at one point as a child & LOVED it? If playing with mud becomes something the girls want to do on Friday nights when they are 18 - then we'll have issues. Sometimes I feel like I say NO so much that it is great to say YES, and watch you girls have a BLAST. Of course I carried each of you from the back porch directly into the bath - but it was worth it. I do have to admit that watching this lovely video has inspired me to buy lots of grass to avoid a muddy-messy summer. And ironically I just happened to steam clean the living room carpet this EXACT day. Lovely.

Happy Birthday Grammy

Yesterday was Grammy's birthday. I decided to ask the girls what they liked best about Grammy.

Abi said:

- The way Grammy reads us stories

- Grammy's kisses & hugs

- Her face

- How she sings to us

Jillian said:

- Her food

- Her stories

- How she tucks us in at night

- How she plays with us

I am sure Stella, Chloe & Claire would have some similar compliments. Even when we lived in the Dominican Republic and did not see Grammy often, when we were with Grammy you girls were always drawn to her. Grammy was always one of the first people you met after you were born, and a special bond was formed with each of you girls & Grammy. It is fun to watch.

Now that I am a mommy I cannot begin to express to you girls how much I have learned from & would like to emulate Grammy. Now, Grammy isn't perfect - no mother is (in fact Grammy has chuckled many times when I tell her of your antics and I think she has given you some candy/treats when I have said NO) - but Grammy has chosen to leave us a rich heritage. A legacy of love, service, and sacrifice - all because she is in love with Jesus. I know Grammy prays daily for you girls, and I am pretty sure her top prayer for you is that you will love the Lord your God with all of your mind, heart, body & soul. I am grateful for Grammy's prayers, and I know you will be too one day. I am blessed with a Godly mother, and you girls are blessed with a Godly grandmother. A woman who has chosen to follow God, serve Jesus, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Grammy would joke and say that she has nothing to leave us materially after she is gone, but the legacy she is giving us is more valuable than anything on this earth. You are blessed girls to have the love, example, prayers, support, wisdom, and so much more of Godly Grandmother. Happy Birthday Grammy!

Wordful Wednesday - a little girl's best friend

We got Guira (named after a Dominican musical instrument) while we were in the Dominican Republic. Jillian was not even a year old. I honestly have regretted getting her at times, only because it has been another living thing that I have to care for. Though every time I feel annoyed because she wants to go outside for the 20th time in an hour . . . I have to admit that she is an INCREDIBLE dog. Between all of you girls, Guira has been attacked & 'played' with in every possible way - some of which are slightly embarrassing to describe in detail. Even with all of this 'loving', Guira has NEVER once bit, barked, growled, snipped, or been mean to either you girls or any other children who have been in her presence. Stella seems to have an extra bond with Guira, and I often find her laying with (or on) Guira talking to her. Sweet!