the big day in pics

birthday-donut-wakeup call!

it's a bloomin' boomerang, mate!

"I could get used to this sugar high

every morning..."

dinner @ 5 Guys

"hmm...lego or nerf wish?"

how absence makes the sibling heart-love

grow fonder. so glad Ali could be here for 

Quinn's big day!

miss Diane!!!!!!!

lego wish...granted

thank you Grammie & Grampie!

  thank you Aunt Sue...my birthday buddy!

nerf wish...Bam!

eleven

today our

handsome

funny

adventurous

compassionate

daring

smart

loyal

lego-lovin'

nerf-totin'

Spirit-filled

baby boy

turns eleven!!!!!

happy, happy birthday Quinn Samuel!!!!!!

fifteen

today this beautiful
girlie is 15!!!

the first official day of spring
every year is extra special because
God gave us such a priceless treasure
on that hope-inspiring day!

aren't teenagers in the morning fun?

have a WONDERFUL day Erin Rae!
may you sense the Father's love in a very
real way & find joy everywhere you step!

she went and did it...

despite my begging, groveling, weeping,

bribing, etc., she went right on ahead 

and turned 18.

she can vote

she can be called for jury duty

she can buy a lottery ticket...

the thoughts of a high school graduation

in a few months?!

have mercy!

 traditional dinner @ her favorite Italian restaurant

there were gifts...

 

there was cake...

there was sibling love...

there were flowers from Dad &

a ginormous bar of dark chocolate...

now,

what is one thing  every girl dreams  

of for her 18th birthday?

what was the ONE specific thing this 

calm, organized, routine-tradition lovin'

birthday girl asked for?

to go to a local shooting range w/ her dad

pistol packin' mama

note to all future interested male suitors 

who may possibly not treat our daughter

w/ the utmost respect befitting a 

daughter of the King...

they're both mighty fine shots.

consider yourselves warned.

the big 1-8!

be still my heart - I cannot believe
this baby girl is 18?!!

we thank God for you, Ali!
18 years ago today,
with that
"deer in the headlights"
glaze on our faces, we
became parents for the first time.
we were scared to death,
and you were perfect.


we can't begin to describe the joy we've
been given as we've watched you grow
into a beautiful young woman who
is passionate about seeking her
heavenly Dad, embracing His Son as
her friend, and being filled daily
with His Spirit -
you are an amazing gift!


so today, we bless you with these words-
Ephesians 1:17-20
"For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, that He may grant you a 
spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into
mysteries and secrets] in the deep and intimate
knowledge of Him. By having the eyes of 
your heart flooded with light, so that you can 
know and understand the hope to which 
He has called you, and how rich is His 
glorious inheritance in the saints, and what 
is the immeasurable and unlimited and 
surpassing greatness of His power in and
for us who believe as demonstrated in
the working of His mighty strength which
He exerted in Christ when he raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His own
right hand in the heavenly places."

birthdays, festivals, and dragons...oh my

the birthday girl enjoyed a wonderful day...

 aunt Sue dropped by to bring a gift

& read one of Gracie's favorite books

sooooooo blessed!

i'm gumby!

isn't Ali talented?

she made a Grandma cake pop...

"ooooh! bucks!"

thank you Grammie!

meet "dr. drill & fill"

Gracie's obsessed with this slightly disturbing toy.

when daddy was asking her some questions 

as she was making play dough braces, she said

"pwease weave me alone...i'm working!"

the queen deemed the day

"uh-mazing"!

yesterday we attended the local

 Chinese New Year celebration. 

this girl loves her some noodles

the noodle queen sharing some love with

Erin & her best pal.
(whose mama happens to be my best pal

since K5...isn't God fun that way?!)

the much anticipated dragon making

his entrance

well, it's time to get my multi-cultural self movin-

happy super bowl sunday!

(who's playing anyway?)