Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Celebrating Savannah's 4th Birthday!


I will never get used to our kids growing up.

Seems as though I held each one of them in my arms just a few days ago--and now look at 'em!

November 2, 2009.

Our Savannah is 4?! UNREAL. She, of course, wanted a Princess birthday complete with castle cake and the works. Well, with a fresh newborn at home, I did my best.

And I failed.

Miserably.

Ever visited the site Cakewrecks? Yeah, I totally would make their next entry with this:


What, you don't remember Cinderella's chateau in a state of disrepair following her father's death?!?!


Well now you've seen it.

Don't say I never gave you anything.

Thankfully we live about 7 minutes from Dairy Queen and Savannah--while upset about the Chateau of Disrepair--was happy to pick out her own candles (which, SURPRISE, were also the most expensive) for her DQ ice cream cake. Another drama diverted =)




As the saying goes, "Sugar and spice and everything nice..." well that perfectly sums up our Savannah. Sugar and spice...with a couple extra doses of spice! You can see it in her eyes!


She is one-of-a-kind and I wouldn't replace her for ANYTHING. She's a lover and a fighter. She can hold her own in any crowd. She's FULL of drama...TO THE MAXIMUM. She's intelligent and a quick learner. We are often amazed at how quickly she learns Bible verses and prayers. She's a singer! And a dancer. A perfect end to an evening is a "dance" with "her Prince" (a.k.a. Daddy) in our kitchen. While Daryl has never been--nor ever wants to be--a dancer, he twirls her around and hugs her close with gusto...hey, that'd be a perfect end to any of my days, too! She absolutely adores her big brother, mothers her younger sisters, and loves on the dog so much that he guards her everywhere she goes in our yard and field! I've loved watching her and Phia's relationship blossom with Brayden being gone at school. They are each other's best friend and fiercest enemy throughout the day =) Despite appearances, she still has a ferocious appetite and sees to it that everyone around her gets fed too. She loves all things fancy and girly. She's into Fancy Nancy and ponies. She often excitedly refers to herself as "God's Little Princess". She loves dirt. She loves flowers. She loves carrots--anyway that she can get them! She can't sleep until we've all prayed together. She still sings herself to sleep. She loves her new glasses. She adores her family. She loves and thrives from one-on-one attention. She gives generously--never hesitates to share with anyone. She talks excessively. She's independent, yet vulnerable. She's sensitive to the max. She's stubborn to the hilt. She loves wholly. She cries easily. She laughs heartily.
She's our Savannah. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Sunrise Secrets

SAVANNAH: Hey, Phia, know what?
(Now whispering) I got a secret!

SOPHIA: (Excited, then whispering) WOW, Sis! Can I have one??

Monday, November 23, 2009

If you're happy and you know it...

...say AMEN!! That's exactly what Brayden, Savannah, and especially Sophia did on Sunday evening with Logan, Landon, and Whitney at Dad's church. It was an evening service full of special music and giving thanks. I had only enough disk space to get one part of the kiddos--it was GREAT. I can only imagine what hearing these little voices does to the Lord's heart! I imagine all of Heaven pausing to listen as they joyfully sing =) This was big thing for Brayden as he DOES NOT like to get up in front of crowds. He changed his mind, however, on Sunday afternoon and let me know that he wanted to sing with the group. What a blessing! Even better was what followed: Savannah ran back up to the platform and asked to sing a solo. Dad knelt down with a microphone as she sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children". Then Sophia followed with "Jesus Loves Me". And it didn't end there! Logan went up and sang "I'm Glad I Got Converted" with Landon following him singing "Jesus Loves Me". Whitney was the last to run up and sing a few lines into the mic--and all of this was unrehearsed. Each time Dad would stand to continue another little grandchild would run up! As Dad so eloquently summed up the events--if only we were like these little ones who so eagerly ran forward to sing for the Lord! My only regret is that I couldn't catch it all to share.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Friday, November 13, 2009

How beautiful...

...are the feet of those who bring good news!



AVA means "bearer of good news". What a blessing she has been these 6 weeks since birth! The time is flying and we are absorbing as much of this time as we can with all of our little ones. It passes so quickly!