4th Grade Music Concert

Tonight was Matthew's music concert. These kids have been working SO hard on their performance and I couldn't be more proud of all of them!

Matthew really wanted a solo on the glockenspiel and practiced SO much and worked so hard. And he got it!! He and his friend Xavier won top honors and got to do a very complicated duet. They crushed it!

Matthew and his good buddy Torren

Matthew and X... thankful for their friendship!

Matthew and Sam.. friends since age 3!

It was a fun (and short...yay!) night and we are thankful for the music program at Fir Grove for pouring so much into these kiddos!!

Things Pondered, Part 13

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.

She never existed before.

The woman existed but the mother never.

-Osho

My sweet girl,

Today you are 13. It's a big birthday.

You are growing into such a lovely young woman. Right before our eyes. 

You love clothes, Taylor Swift, your phone, your friends, your cat, and your family... not necessarily in that order!😀

You are beautiful... I don't think you realize just how beautiful you are. 

You are shy and don't like attention. But when you are with people you are comfortable with you can be oh, so silly and crazy and make us laugh. 

You are a deep thinker and oh, so smart. And it just comes naturally. You get that from your dad for sure. 

You are a deep feeler and full of emotions, common for your age. 

You are wanting more space these days, and as hard as that is for me, I am trying to give it to you. 

That being said, forgive me when I don't give you attention when you want it or need it. I promise to be better at that.

You are growing in many ways... and I am here for you as your biggest cheerleader and fan as you face the changes in your heart, body and soul. 

My prayer and my challenge to you this year is that you do your best to always have..

*The eyes that see the best in people,
*A heart that forgives the worst,
*A mind that forgets the bad,
*And a soul that never loses faith in God

Happy 13th Birthday!

I love you with all that I am, Evelyn Joy!

"... and Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." ~Luke 2:19

City Lights

We have been quite sick the past month or so. Strep throat, the flu.. it's been kind of a bummer, really. Even tho we still aren't 100% the kids and l made a spontaneous trip tonight to the city park to see the lights...and it was so good for our hearts! 

Thankful for my sweet kids, this tradition, and the hope of Christmas that has definitely sustained us thru this time!

Boy

Dear Matthew..

Today you are 10. TEN!!

At 11:53 December 2, 2009, you entered this world. And it was one of the best days of my life!!

Look how little you were!!

When you were a baby we called you "Mr. Happy Pants".. and it still fits today. You love to laugh and smile and you bring joy to those around you.

You LOVE football, cheeseburgers, legos, CK Birds, football cards, family time and time with friends.

If our family of four could be together ALL. THE. TIME. doing something fun (or even not),  that would make you so happy! I love how you love family time and making memories together.

Your sister is truly your best friend and you are her biggest cheerleader... and even tho she is becoming a teenager and wants more time to herself, she loves you dearly. When she hurts, you hurt... and your love for her is so special to see.

You are a gifted student who loves to learn. (We still need to work on your spelling, tho....haha). You are a natural leader at school and are so well liked by teachers and students. You have really come into a love for reading and are enjoying it more than ever before.

You are competitive and *really* don't like to lose but are a gracious loser most of the time.

You don't exactly love piano lessons but you are playing beautifully.

You are such a loyal and caring friend. You are tuned in and notice when your friends are in need of extra encouragement.

You are starting to take more risks and be more crazy... which I struggle with but know it's just you growing up. "Please be careful" is probably the phrase I say to you most...haha.

You have a heart to know Jesus and wrestle with your faith and are trying to make it your own.  I pray you will always seek the Lord and have a child-like faith.

Matthew, the joy you bring to our family is immeasurable!

Your party was yesterday but we still celebrated you today... because YOU are worthy of celebrating! 

Oh sweet boy, I love you more than all the stars in the sky.

May this new year... this new decade... be your best yet!!

Love, Mom

Matthew's Football Party

Today was the big day!!  Matthew's party day! He as been SO excited for his football party!

We rented out an indoor field and had 12 boys come to run some drills and play a game of flag football. 

He was so excited to see his name on the board!

Party room all set up, complete with football cupcakes Matthew designed himself! :) 

My big 10 year old (tomorrow!!)

Doug and I dressed for the big event! :) 

Love this family of mine!!

Thankful that our friend Andrew was willing to help Doug with the boys. 

We did some drills first to get the boys warmed up...

Evelyn and Ellie hanging out while the boys play! 

After warms up we got into teams to play a game

I love this boy!

End of game huddle.. the boys had a blast!!

Time for cupcakes and presents. Matthew was so blessed by his amazing (and very silly )friends!!

Torren

Cannon

Grant (with a photobomb by Joel)

Owen

Joel

Myles (with a Kenji photobomb)

These boys...

Sam

Kellan

Kenji

JJ (with several photobombers...haha)

I found this on my phone tonight....haha. Love these two!

Hanging out with all  his loot after we got home!

Tired referee.... 

So fun to celebrate our boy! So crazy to think that he is TEN tomorrow!!