Happy Birthday!

 Today isn't just a birthday. It's a big birthday. 13! Wow, how did we even get here? 

The night before, as I set up, I am always humbled. The time goes so fast yet there are so many memories there for me to explore. The good and the hard and all the in between, our family has seen all the emotions. And I am left feeling so sad that my oldest is growing up and simultaneously grateful for the opportunity to see where life will lead. It's one of the craziest feelings of being a parent and one I am not sure I would know in any other aspect of life. 

We got outside to take a few pictures to mark the occasion and, my goodness, how evident it is that there has been so much growth and maturity as I watch from behind the lens. Payton, you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. 

Payton went to school today and took cupcake treats. Tonight, she asked for Subway for her meal, which keeps it super simple for me. We are so excited to pick her up from school and celebrate. 

Let's end this with a letter to my child: 

My Sweet Payton,

Sweet Thirteen.

Today, you turn thirteen. Thirteen. A number that feels both impossible and exactly right. I look at you and see how quickly you are maturing—how you are no longer the tiny baby I carried out of the hospital or the little toddler, holding my hand, and wanting to be with me every minute of the day. You are no longer that kindergartener coming running to me after school with a huge hug and telling me you missed me too much while you were away from me. When was the last time you came out of your room at night, after tucking you in, and you begged to sleep next to me in my bed? You are your own person now, growing into yourself with a quiet confidence that takes my breath away.

You are sweet, kind, and beautiful. I know how you work hard to make everyone around you feel included. You also carry a strength far greater than you realize. Still my little mother hen, always watching out for everyone else, yet also stepping into new adventures of your own—softball, basketball, and all the brave firsts that came with this year. 

I am unworthy to call you mine, and so deeply grateful that God gave us you anyway. What a gift you have been from the very beginning.

I will treasure the memories of your childhood forever—the giggles, the cuddles, walking in the park, reading all the books, the milestones, the moments that slipped by too quickly. And now I look forward to watching you chase your dreams in these teen years, discovering who you are and who you’re becoming.

Forever our baby girl.

Love,

Mom

March Recap

 March was a fun and fast month and we are sliding right through April as I type this. March was full of outside time, birthday parties for friends. and many homeschool events. We also had our spring break and went on a trip to Colorado. You can see that here. I love doing life with my family and try to take this time as I type about our life to truly appreciate the time we get together. 

First off, we appreciated the sunsets more times that I can count. With the time change, we just seem to find the window of time to be outside and watch the beauty of a good sunset. Makes me look forward to summer and seeing the sunrises more times than I can count on my hands:

I chopped off my hair. It was time and I am already over short hair, but it is fun for a short season:

Avery has been working hard at "school" with us and loves sharing her work. 

At school we also take time to check on the chickens. We love to just watch them:

Riley made a 3D ant at the library using their 3D printer. We went to a training session on how to use the machine and this was his first project. 

He then went on to create and design, all on his own, an ant house:

Our homeschool group also went to the local airport and did a tour:

Our homeschool group also hosted a farm day where we spent the day learning about farm life and cows. It was a very informational day and Avery wouldn't leave the baby cows. 

He also did a rock climbing wall with his PE class and loved this one!

Riley has been obsessed with ants this school year. I used this interest in having him create as much as he can related to the topic. Here is a maze he drew all on his own:

Riley finished his math for the year! Well math we planned for the year. So we started the next grade up. He is still working on that and will continue until our school year ends in May.

We had one day this month where Jayden joined us for the experience. I love it when I get more and more of my kids in one room for the day:

And time with Avery. I spend the most time with her and she wants pictures everywhere we go. She is at such a fun age. Playing in the dirt:

At the children's museum:

On the bounce house:

We went on a walk as Ana from Frozen:

Avery helped me make egg salad. She is a fantastic helper:

Outside swinging and spending time with Jayden:

Loving on her brother:

Planting seeds, the only kid to help me plant starter plants this year:

I went for a walk one night with Riley and got this picture during sunset:

We made homemade hamburger buns several times this month:

And homemade corn dogs! They were so good!

We got out one morning to walk around in nature and fish as a family.

I even got this sweet picture of Avery with her dad.

We got outside and did chalk. I love the creativity of all my kids. This was the sun and sky by Riley. 

I won a free paint session for 2 people at a local small business. So I took my husband and we painted a picture together.  We had a great time and Payton watched her siblings and even served them dinner during this time.

Jayden had a birthday party out of town for a friend so we went there to play and paint! And then we went out to eat together. A real treat to get some 1:1 time with him.

Selfies I found on my phone of Payton:

She also helped Avery with the building blocks at the library and they insisted they needed a picture:

And the two of them here where I had to take a picture. 10 years apart but, as the mother, the time doesn't seem that big until I see something like this:

We had another birthday party for Jayden to attend out of town and we took the whole crew to this one. The other kids bowled during the party and then we all came together and went to the arcade before getting dinner together:

And we ended the month with egg decorating. A local business hosted ceramic egg painting and our kids thoroughly enjoyed this creative time. 

What a fun and busy month it was!

3 Looks Good on You!

 Happy Birthday to our Sweet Avery. 

You have been waiting for this day and telling us your birthday was coming up for weeks now. I try to ask you to slow down time and not grow up but you insist that you need to keep growing. 

Your siblings adore you and just couldn't wait to celebrate this day with you. Some still had to go to school though which was a total bummer. We still got out to a local sportsplex. They were celebrating their first anniversary so we got extra fun! We did bounce houses, played pickleball, ran around, threw footballs, and kicked giant soccer balls. As we left we got popcorn and cookies! At home we opened presents, sang happy birthday, and had homemade cake that Riley and I made. It was a great day to have a birthday. 

You got a tent from your grandparents and some books and you spent a good chunk of time in there!

Somehow, in the blink of an eye, our Avery girl is three. Three years of sunshine, silliness, and the kind of sweetness that settles right into your heart. This past week she proudly learned how to hold up three fingers—her little face glowing with accomplishment as she showed anyone who would look. And just the week before, she surprised us by saying her full name clear as day, like she’d been practicing in secret.

But the moment that gets me every time is when she looks up with those bright eyes and says, “I love you too, Mama.” That tiny voice is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. It’s soft and sincere and full of that pure toddler love that feels like a gift straight from God.

Avery runs everywhere she goes, ready for adventure before anyone else has their shoes on. She plays with her whole heart, imagines big, and is always trying to learn something new. She’s creative, curious, and wonderfully her own little person. We have been so blessed—truly blessed—to spend these three years watching her grow.

A Birthday Letter to Avery

My sweet Avery,

Happy 3rd birthday, my darling girl. You have filled our home with laughter, wonder, and the kind of joy that makes ordinary days feel special. I love watching you discover the world—how you run, how you play, how you try new things with so much excitement. Hearing you say your full name made me smile, and seeing you hold up three fingers made me proud. But nothing compares to hearing you say, “I love you too, Mama.” I will carry that sound with me always.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us you. You are a blessing, a light, and a little adventure all wrapped into one. I can’t wait to see who you become, but for now I’m soaking in every moment of who you are.

I love you forever,

Mama

The night before a birthday is so incredibly bittersweet to me. Each year, I decorate and then I soak up all the memories I have with my child while I simultaneously look forward to what the future will hold. God really knew what he was doing as he placed each child into our loving arms. So thankful for celebrations and taking the time to really treasure the time we get with each other.

Happy Birthday, Avery!