the first party– Lola turns one

On the Night You Were Born {Lola’s first birthday}

On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, “ Life will never be the same.”
Because there had never been anyone like you… ever in the world.

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.
The sound of your name is a magical one. Let’s say it out loud before we go on.

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze…
Over the ocean…
And through the trees…
Until everyone heard it and every knew. Of the one and only ever you.

Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly wiggly, wonderful toes.
In fact, I think I’ll count to three so you can wiggle your toes for me.

When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.
From faraway places, the geese flew home.
The moon stayed up until morning next day.
And none of the ladybug flew away.

So whenever your doubt just how special you are and wonder who loves you, how much and how far,
listen for geese honking high in the sky.
They’re singing a song to remember you by.

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
It’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you.

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
Listen closely… it’s whispering your name again.

If the moon stays up until morning one day, or a ladybug lands and decided to stay, or a little bird sits at your window awhile, it’s because they’re all hoping to see you smile…

For never before in story or rhyme not even once up a time,
has the world ever known you, my girl, and it never will, not ever again…

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.

“On the Night You Were Born” By: Nancy Tillman

Happy, happy birthday, bug.

three.

 
fancy birthday breakfast… donut with rainbow sprinkles
I have never seen her as excited as she was the last few minutes before her party started. She was doing cart wheels, running circles around the living room giggling. I love that she is to an age where she can anticipate things that she is excited about. I absolutely love the “planning and preparing” part for anything exciting, whether it be a vacation, a meal, a party, etc…  so now I have someone to share in my excitement. (Try not to be jealous of my adventurous life, okay?)

her expressions say it all.
 

our attempt a family photo was unsuccessful. This was about as good as it got! 

Larkin, you are creative, and imaginative.
You are smart, and sassy.
You are loved, and cherished more than I could ever begin to tell you.
happy happy birthday sweet girl.

sisterly love

most of the time they are so sweet to each other. most of the time.

random thoughts on motherhood

A few minutes before we headed out the door for church, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Phew. We got the obligatory Mother’s Day church photo just in time.

"At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice,
and there is perhaps no occupation in the world
so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood.
Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel."
{Rachel Jankovic}

Being their mama is the greatest, hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Sometime I feel like I will lose my mind…
and sometimes I feel like I could burst I love them so deeply.
At the end of the day, I can only hope I am pointing them to Jesus.
And praying that they will forgive me when I don’t.

The season of waiting to be a mom seems so far away now. I almost forget how empty of a feeling that was.  
This is what I was waiting for during our adoption processes, after miscarriages, after Jude was gone. 
I don’t want to forget that THIS, crazy, ordinary day (or any day) is what I waited for.
I am so thankful for God’s promises that were fulfilled through my girls,
but my heart is heavy for those who are still waiting for their empty arms to be full.
I can tell you this:  it is worth the wait. so hold on, the dawn is coming.

front door.

the welcoming committee would like to welcome you to our new home.

We’re all moved in! and breaking in the house by licking all the windows.