Love My Girl!!!

I feel like I have so much to catch up on!  Last week was Havilah's birthday, I still haven't posted Esther's 10 month pictures and (HOORAY!!!) one of the long awaited cousins has been born!!!!  But for today, I'll just write about the wonderful birthday date I had with Miss Lydia last night.

Lydia's birthday is next week and since she is growing up soooo fast and LOVES to have "big girl time" with Mommy, I thought it would be fun to take her out for a special date. 

First we went to Once Upon A Child which is a fabulous second hand store and we stocked up on summer clothes.  She had so much fun trying things on and giving her own opinion on what she liked.  It astounded me how fast she is growing into a beautiful little lady.  Her taste in clothing and her wisdom in make good decisions made my heart so proud.

Next we went over to the mall where of course we had to dash in the photo booth!

Then we headed down to Claire's where she picked out a necklace, some bracelets and a new head band.  (She told be later on that this was her favorite part of the date.  Never have a I met a girl who didn't like Claire's!)

Finally, she got all dressed up in her new stuff and we went out for dinner at Olive Garden.

Mmmmmmm, bread sticks!!!

It was so precious to have this time with my sweet daughter.  I hope I can always take the time to show her how important and priceless she is to me.

Happy

This morning I was going through pictures from the last week.  It made me very happy as I looked at faces I loved soooo much.  Here are just a few things that make me very, very happy.

One of the greatest blessings God has brought into my life has been, sister-in-laws.  David and I were married four years before any of his brothers got married and I had no idea what an impact these new additions would have on my life.  My blood related sisters are my best friends in the whole world and I never could have imagined that these dear women entering our family would become as close as real sisters to me.

Isaac and Stefani are now engaged!!!!  Another sister is joining the ranks and I could not be more thrilled!  I've known Stefani for years and she is a treasure.  Isaac and Stefani are soooo well suited for each other.  And they're just a little happy.

One of the best things about these sister-in-laws is that they make me an auntie (a role which I'm finding suits me quite well!).  All of my married sisters are expecting right now which just about sends me through the roof with excitement!!!  My sister Mary (I don't have a picture of her but she is gorgeous as well!) is due in just two weeks, followed by Laura, then Melissa and ending with Hannah in September.  That means four new cousins in five months!!!!!!  (Imagine a giant bouncy ball springing all around the house, ready to explode.  That's me.)

I love you girls!!!  Thanks for being the best sisters and friends I could have ever imagined!!!



Sometimes.....

Sometimes, it's just hard to be two,

Too big to be a baby, but too little to do the big things.

Sometimes, it feels like you are always left behind,

And things never go the way you want them to.

Sometimes, you may feel unloved, bullied or misunderstood.  But sweet Ella Joy, you are a treasure to us.  And even on the hard days, we still love you with all of our hearts.

Our Trip to Tacoma

Last week we were able to take off to Washington for four days to visit David's two brothers, their wives (who are some of my dearest friends) and our two beautiful nieces.  We've been trying to get up there since last August, but finally, we made it!!!

Ella and Talia are only two months apart and have become GREAT buddies even though we don't get to see them very often.  Their personalities jive perfectly and it is sooooo much fun to watch them bop around together.

Esther and Eliana are two months apart as well, and they ADORE each other!  It is so sweet to watch them be so excited to see each other.  No one in the world makes Esther as excited as Ellie!

Jonathan and Laura and Benjamin and Melissa both live on apartments which are located right next to a HUGE mansion that is part of the seminary.  The grounds are beautiful and the girls had a blast exploring.

The weather was GORGEOUS the entire time we were there.  Unbelievably gorgeous.  On Monday we spent a large chunk of the day at Point Defiance park.

The girls loved the duck pond!

(I just ADORE this picture!!!)

My two gorgeous sister-in-laws with their adorable baby bellies.  (Did I mention I LOVE being an auntie?  Did I also mention that I have four new nieces or nephews coming this year?)

On our way home we all stopped by Cabela's.

The girls all agreed that this was the best store EVER!!!

The visit was so wonderful.  Our siblings truly are our dearest friends so it was incredibly refreshing to just soak up our time with them.  Now we miss them all like CRAZY!!!

Eight and Nine Months Old

I've fallen way behind on my Esther updates!!!  I'll give a detailed update at ten months (which is JUST around the corner!!!), but for now, here are her eight and nine month pictures!

Eight Months

Nine Months