Friday, December 19, 2008

Happy Birthday Jillian!

December 19, 1989. 11:59am. After 24 hours of labor, Jillian was cut out of my body and took her first breath.
Here we are, 19 years later, at exactly 11:59am! No matter where we are, I'm with her at the exact time she was born. Last year she ducked out of her choir class to call me so when the clock struck 11:59 we would at least be on the phone together.
We went to Cafe Rio for lunch, then went to see "Tales of Desperaux." Then she blew out her candles...
This is her present. We couldn't get a good picture, but it's THREE WICKED TICKETS! May 2, 2009 at 2:00pm, us 3 girls will be there! Whoo hoo. Jill has seen it, but Grace and I haven't. Grace has had all the lyrics memorized since she was 3.
I hate to write another sappy long blog entry about another one of my kids. BUT.
She was the only one of our kids whose gender was a surprise. I wanted a girl SOOO badly. Thank goodness my sister is gifted at writing, and had the good sense to write down the events surrounding Jill's birth...apparently the first thing I said when I finally got to hold her was "hello my angel." And then, "Andrew I got my girl!!" She came home from the hospital in a Christmas Stocking!
I don't like to play favorites, but I think every mother has a special place in her heart for her firstborn. I love everything about her, and she's had her dad in the palm of her hand from the first minute he laid eyes on her.
Happy Birthday Jillian!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Student of the Week

Thank goodness the halls were empty when I did this dastardly deed. SO embarrassing! Anyway, Tyler was awarded the "Student of the Week" by his Health teacher. Here is some of what he said:
"You have always done a nice job on your work, quizzes and tests. Also, I have greatly appreciated the comments you have made in our class discussions and the answers you provide. I can tell that you are an intelligent young man who has a future in whatever field of study you pursue....you possess both qualities of a gifted mind and also work hard. You have the ability to think more in depth than a lot of your classmates, and it is evident by your work and your comments in class. Thanks for making our class a better environment..."

Way To Be, Ty.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Building a Bunny

A month ago, Grace and I got stuck at the Mall waiting for the boys to finish their Scout Pow Wow. We wound up going into the "Build A Bear" store. She wanted one! Right now! I told her that she would have to wait for her birthday.
So here she is, her dream coming true. She kissed the heart, put it in, pushed the button that stuffed it, and then gave it a bath and a blow dry.
Here she is with the stupid Hannah Montana cake that she wanted. (BTW...this was from WalMart and tasted like monkey poo. Did that stop me from eating it? NO! I would take a bite and say "Yuck! Tastes like monkey poo. And then I would take another bite. I need help.)
She said that it was the best day of her life. Hee. And to her credit, she has taken great care of her bunny so far...she dresses her in jammies every night, and gets her dressed for the day every morning. I stuck to my guns and this is the ONLY present that she got. From me anyway. Jill bought her a bag full of stuff and sweet Ryan made her a mix CD of some of her favorite songs.
One more birthday to go until the year is over. I wonder what Jillian will get for her birthday?

Friday, December 5, 2008

outtakes

Here is our attempt today to get a picture to send out with Christmas cards.
Eyes shut.
Tyler looking like he's about to do something nefarious to Ryan.
I guess you'll have to wait and see if we actually got one that was worthy to print.

Happy Birthday Grace

Seven years ago on this day, at 9:28am, Grace Ann was born! Nine long months of worry, stress and prayer and Jillian's dream of having a sister finally happens. Isn't that the happiest face you've ever seen in a photograph???
Little Gracie was completely spoiled. Between the 5 of us, she basically was held the entire first year of her life. Jillian was 12, Ty was 10 and Ryan 8 when she was born.

Despite getting pretty much everything she ever wanted, she is NOT bratty-spoiled! Her sweet, loving, happy little spirit just sparkles.
This precious gift completes our family in a way that I cannot express. Those long nine months taught us patience. Taught us to have faith against all odds while submitting our will to a loving Heavenly Father. "Nevertheless, thy will be done."
We knew by experience that not all prayers are answered in the way we wish. We knew by experience that this life is full of grief and pain and loss.
And then we were given this.
Those brown eyes sparkle with intelligence and fun. Her sweet little self is so tender, loving and generous. She never leaves a room without saying "I love you!" Usually accompanied with a kiss and a hug. I sometimes laugh and wonder, "Is she going on a long trip? Nope, just into the other room!"
She is always thinking of other people's feelings and needs. She loves to make cards and letters for everyone. She loves birthdays and will plan and execute elaborate plans to surprise those she loves. Her teacher told me how amazed she is by Grace....this 1st grader notices when her teacher has had a haircut and comments to her how beautiful she looks.
She is a true diva/princess. When she was little she hated spitting out when we brushed her teeth. She would put her hands over her eyes during the whole process until she'd rinsed out and the sink was clear! She's obsessed with shoes, lip-gloss, purses and beautiful dresses. And, yes, we've certainly pandered to her every wish where these are concerned!
She is quick to tears, but just as quick to laugh. She has recently incorporated "stomping" a little when things don't go exactly her way, but usually winds up laughing before it's over. She's just as quick to forgive and has a wonderful capacity to "go with the flow" which is important in a houseful of teenagers!
Jillian has agonized about missing Grace's birthday. It's finals week next week, and she was just here for Thanksgiving. She finally decided that she just couldn't make it happen. I broke the news to Grace a couple of days ago. She was SO sad. But she just resignedly said "I understand."
Then Jill called yesterday and said that her profs had canceled class on Friday. She's going to come home! She's going to surprise Grace in her class today. I can't wait to see her little face!

Someday I'll tell her the whole story about our lives before she was here. As for now, she knows that she was "a miracle of joy."

Thursday, December 4, 2008

One More Reason to Blog

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things.

Some of them may be funny.
Some may be significant only to you.
Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful.

Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience."

Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006