Four years ago I wrote my first "birthday blog" for Madison.....it is now a tradition that I am so thankful to have started - it is a time to honor each child and celebrate the life each one lives and their individual gifts.  It is fun to look back and see the joy each one radiates!  Madison Joy is no exception.....and this year we celebrate her 14th year!  It was 14 years ago I left my passion and career to begin a new life at home with our little one.  Oh how I thought I knew it all.  Now Madison is the one who "knows it all!"  : )

That is a joke of course - people talk about dreading the teenage years but it is privilege and a blessing to have one in this house!  Actually it is Madison that seems to want to hold on to her childhood and savor it.  That's fine with me.  Plenty of time to be a grown up!  Her heart is to enjoy life and people for sure - but she sure does have a serious side as well!

Even though we are still homeschooling, the highlight of each week for Madison is attending her Classical Conversations - Challenge group each Wednesday from 9-4 pm.  Each week she goes to share with her classmates what they've learned from their studies in Geography, Latin, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Rhetoric.  This has been a challenge for all of us as we adjust to the workload.  Madison has handled it like such a trooper - never giving up or being discouraged - staying up late to finish her work or do it well.  She doesn't stress or worry like her mother - in fact she is the one trying to tell me to be more positive.  I am learning from her!  We are thankful for this opportunity and the friendships and relationships she has enjoyed there. Of course she still enjoys our PE class and her book club friends too.  She is so blessed!

 This year Madison took a special interest in the election and following the views and beliefs of both candidates.......we realized that she will just be 3 weeks shy of voting in the next presidential election.  Ugh!

Almost a year ago we went to a Christmas performance at Experience Arts School to watch a friend perform in "aerial."  I was also checking the school out for ballet for Allie - but Madison tagged along. When she saw the aerial she fell in love and begged to do it.  I did not think her risk management father would go for her dangling high in the air from a silk......but sure enough he said yes!  This month is her second performance in a year.

This girl loves her dog.  Around 3 years ago we adopted Aslan, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and it's been true love for them since.  I am so thankful that she handles most of his care.  He is one lucky dog.

I have always said Madison is a natural with kids. I say she is like the Pied Piper......whatever she says they just line up and do it!  She thinks of the most amazing things to say to them to get their attention.  This summer when our church held an 8 - week vacation bible school (one time per week), Madison and a friend organized and ran the recreation and snack portion of the evening.  I was impressed with the way she planned out each night's activity for all the different ages of kids from 3-12.  She definitely has an event planning knack that I was not born with!

The birthday parties she has thrown for her brothers and sister were such fun.  I know I am biased but this is a true gift!  It is neat to see her get such joy out of gifting others this way.....

                                                     

Every day is not all roses with the siblings but I like to catch things when it is.....once Madison gets an idea of how she can serve someone else, watch out.  I love the times when she bakes with the little ones and last Christmas when she and Ryan decided they were going to put the Christmas tree together  and hang the Christmas lights for dad.

I also asked Madison to join me in my volunteer work at Hope Women's Center this year.  She has helped with a few events there - bringing her friends along with her to energetically serve.  They have such a sweet time!  It is a privilege to serve alongside her.

We praise God for another year to nurture this special one and watch her grow in spirit and character. Each year we continue to pray the same scripture we chose for her on her birthday. We love you, Madison!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

On cupcakes and zebra print.....

This year I was a little behind with birthday planning because of other surrounding events.....as well as the fact that the "party planner" in the house now has more serious school commitments (which is cramping my style!).....but we managed to still pull off a simple but fun time.  Madison has really been into cupcakes for awhile so Allison agreed upon a cupcake themed party.  Yesterday we descended upon Hobby Lobby - with even the boys in tow.....to try and come up with a plan.  I am happy to report that no lives were lost though I believe a few minor injuries may have occurred......We left the store with thoughts of cupcakes, zebra print, and pink!

Madison was up early starting work on the cupcakes while mom and I did "support work."  She made a batch of vanilla and chocolate.  They smelled divine.

                                            

Thanks to her Pinterest (I swear I am not on that crazy site!  It is her!) addiction, she had several cool ideas for decorating. We were thankful for brothers who can blow up balloons and daddy who did a fabulous job of hanging.......Simple treats this time - fruit, popcorn, and homemade chex mix (thanks Grandma!).

 These cute zebra boxes were too hard to pass up for the girls to take home their decorated cupcakes in.......

Madison set up a decorating station for the girls and boy did they like this activity!

Believe it or not, the brothers were all on site - but thanks to the new "super huge" concrete driveway out front, foosball table hand-me-down, and legos, we hardly heard from them!  There was one party crasher who came in to decorate however.........

This cupcake was unbelievably divine.....Madison's mint chocolate....

The birthday girl's special place........

Allie smiles at her dad while he reads the special bible verse we picked for her when she was born.....

A few of Allie's sweet friends.....

Seems every year we have a pin the _______ on the ________ (whatever matches the theme). I think I've done it so often that Allie automatically thought of an idea this year!  

It was a fun day to visit with the families and enjoy friendship.  Sometimes in the hours before these "party days" I find myself wondering if I should be doing it.....feeling a little stressed.  And then ALWAYS afterwards I am so thankful to have done it.  I enjoy watching our family work together to honor another - a sort of rare time of selflessness......

I am amazed at the way Madison can design a party that always looks great - even if it is simple. I love photographing each of them! And I think the guests leave feeling special which is enjoyable.  It is an act of service toward her sister which I love.  And so, birthday blitz "phase 1" is over - Madison is next on the docket - though she says she doesn't necessarily want a party - she just likes to throw them!

Allison is 8 years old today!

So it was a Happy Birthday to you day here today!  Allie turned 8 years old......how can it be? I don't know what happened!! But I know it has been another wonderful year with our sweetie!  It has been amazing to watch her grow and change.....it is hard to pinpoint just a few highlights....but of course I will......

Allie enjoyed participating in ballet this last year immensely!  She floats around the house all the time!  But when she is outside however, watch out!  She will play football with her siblings, and is mean on those rollerblades!  

Allison loves her cousin and any other little one!  She is nurturing, patient, and so caring.  (Got all that from her dad)  She is not only loving toward little children but is an encourager especially to her momma.  She has a soft heart.

Allie has matured personally and is continuing to grow into a diligent student - who takes her studies seriously!  We have seen perseverance and heart we didn't know she had as she has tackled some challenges this fall!

 So glad she is willing to read to her brother and they sure love to laugh!

This year it has been a blessing to watch Allison grow spiritually as she has expressed such love and devotion to Jesus - her heart is so tender and loving.  And after several years of praying for an opportunity to go to Bible Study Fellowship with her daddy, brother, and sister - she began this year and is studying the book of Genesis.  It is fun to sit with her and study!

Every year at birthday time we like to celebrate each child and the gifts the Lord gave each of them.  We always reflect on the verse we chose for each one when born......it is awesome to read this verse each year - since when we chose it we did not "know" Allison - but it is such a reflection of her:  she gives others much grace, is loving, and is such an encouragement with her actions and words.  We love you, Allison Grace!

"May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his GRACE gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17