Happy 11th, Madison!

Today we celebrated Madison Joy's 11th year. She is truly a blessing and "joy". Her breakfast request was bacon, egg, and cheese omelets so the day began with those and a few gifts from the family. After church we broke from our usual tradition of a birthday meal at Joe's Real BBQ and went across the street to his other restaurant, Liberty Market. The food and service were great - Maddie got her free meal and we all enjoyed ourselves! In the afternoon she and I did a little shopping for a dress and then it was off to church for the evening where she received a special "birthday song". Now the birthday girl is sleeping soundly after a long week of Thanksgiving and birthday festivities.

I am truly thankful for the gift of Madison to our family and the talents and character she brings. It is encouraging to watch her grow and mature into a helpful, creative, determined, caring, and sensitive young lady. It is exciting to see the areas in which the Lord has gifted her and wonder how He will use her some day if she yields to Him. My prayer for her is paraphrased from her "birthday verse" - Romans 15:13:

Madison Joy - I pray the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace and that you will trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit........

to whom will we give thanks today?

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

a birthday party in the park

This is a dual entry I guess - one to document a birthday party and also blessing #20 - dear friends. This year due to various reasons we decided to combine Allison and Madison's birthday parties. Since their birthdays are 2 weeks apart it is tempting every year to do it but this is the first time we've celebrated together. Madison especially wanted to invite "families" so we gathered with several dear family friends primarily from our church. It was a blessing to have Grandma and Grandpa Miller with us - though we also missed Grandma and Grandpa Spence (in NM for my nephew's 1st birthday party!). We are privileged to have so many loving friends in our life. My heart is filled with gratitude as I reflect on the friendships we have here. Every year I am wanting to include more and more people - and Merl assures me that the day will come all too soon when we can invite everyone! (He likes thinking about the grand party of all - his girls' weddings!)

It was the optimal Arizona day for a party - 70 degree weather and sunny. We started the party with cinnamon rolls, bagels, and doughnuts - coffee and orange juice per the girls' request (well the coffee was mine.) The kids loved playing soccer, riding their scooters, and playing games. The pinata was made true to our family tradition by daddy - who always makes it from scratch. This year every child from age 2 - 11 got a swing at it......the last one being Madison, who thanks to the gentleman before her, whacked it wide open to everyone's delight! Daddy then read the girls' scripture verses followed by singing and gifts. The kids then were happy to be free to run and play again.

Simple but fun, I think. Thanks friends for making our day memorable!

Let the party begin with sweets and drinks!

Soccer fun

Duck, duck, goose

Whack!

Such attentive sweeties

Daddy reading the bible verses

Notice the little brother helper....

blessing #19

#19 - Children with wild and fun imaginations.........

I never question the time investment of reading aloud to the kids everyday......especially on days like this. Today they could not wait to finish their school work and get outside to play. This time they tell me they are "runaway slaves"..... running from the "slave runners". A little background......we are studying the period after the Civil War - and reading a lot of historical fiction. We are in the middle of devouring "The Great Turkey Walk" which tells the story of a boy who decides to walk 1000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver in a business venture. He chooses the town drunk as an unlikely business parter and the story follows the two of them on their journey. It is a touching and exciting story about their adventures and their developing friendship. Along the way they discover and befriend a runaway slave boy trying to make it to the Kansas border and freedom. Historical fiction really gives the kids a sense of what it was like to live during the time......so they are usually eager to act it out! Fun times....

blessing #18

I am thankful for a studious, determined, full of life 8 year old boy who once in a while will still cuddle in my lap while I read aloud to him everyday!

Blessings

I am working on counting my blessings. I have been journaling then and will share some here from time to time. I listed 1-14 in my journal.....they began in a more broad sense......but are now getting more specific and simple....here are a few for today:

#15 - sweet 2 yr. old boy who loves hugging mommy and saying "morning, momma".

#16 cooler, fall weather

#17 Unfolded laundry: representing more school accomplished!

5 years old......

Happy Birthday, Dear Allison Grace! Can't believe she is 5 years old today - but this is reality sure enough! I think she had a special day - with handmade signage from big sister, yummy homemade french toast, fun at church, lunch to claim her free birthday meal at Joe's Real BBQ, and pizza for dinner. Yes - food is a big part of birthdays around here! We are thankful for our joyful Allie and her sweet smile......

"May our 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