Birthdays

February is a birthday rich month at our house. Andrea was so happy to find it was her special day. She was aware this year that it was her special day. It's hard to believe she is already 3 years old. We made two cakes and had the grandparents come visit. She loved the excitement but wasn't sure what to do with those lit candles. 

I helped her extinguish them. 

These four younger kids are close friends and enemies. They love to play and love to wrestle and fight. I'm thankful for each of these sweeties. I'm thankful they have each other!

Livy is becoming a friend to her brothers. Her first excursion to church was aided by Reed teasing, encouraging, and helping steady her on the snow and ice. 

A reward from the recent storm a long ice cicle.  The encouragement and expectation of siblings is priceless in development. While the teasing and taunting drives me crazy! it is part of the process. We must endure and experience the hard and frustrating to experience the joy and happiness we yearn for. 

These two birthday willies are friends. Mark throws and plays with Andrea. She enjoys it most of the time. We share what we love about each of the birthday people after eating cake. It is good to honor the person who blesses our family year after year and to take time to share our admiration of their talents and contribution to our family life. This brings a sweet spirit of acceptance and love into our home and hopefully strengthens the identity and confidence of each family member. 

Livy enjoying teasing from her brothers readies to blow out the candles with Mark. 

One perk of Livy's surgery was ice cream treats. Everyone who wanted to bring her something brought her ice cream. She was thrilled and because we had so much and had just recently filled our freezer with bacon and chicken had to eat it quick!

Sweet Merle enjoyed some crackers too. He is a friend too all these sisters but retains a strong hold on his masculine identity. He is always coming up with interesting observations and waiting for his brothers to come home and take him to work. 

We are thankful for these days together growing up year by year. Mark will probably be gone for his next two birthdays. Livy in those two years will gain her license and be able to drive. Andrea will be close to school age. That is amazing to me. Life is good.