Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little man.  I can't believe you are 7 years old.  Seems like you are getting so big some days - and then on others I still see my little boy.  You'll always be *my* little boy.  My youngest son.

I was so happy to see you arrive 7 years ago.  You were my biggest baby at almost 9 and a half pounds!  After an extremely rough pregnancy, I was delighted to have a healthy baby.

You delight me in so many ways.  I love your sense of humor and your curiosity.  It is exciting watching you growing and learning more each day.  I've especially enjoyed watching you grow this year in your abilities - especially in memorizing Bible verses and in having fun at church.

I love holding your hand and just talking with you.  I enjoy cooking with you and reading books.  I just enjoy you!  You are smart, organized and creative.

We celebrated Daniel's birthday a little early at the beach so that Christopher and my family could be a part of the celebration.  (More on that in another post.)  For his actual birthday, we asked him what he would like to eat and do on his special day.

For breakfast, he chose waffles.  (Have I mentioned that Eliana calls these "bopples".  Its really cute.)

 Soon afterwards, he was surprised by a fun activity planned fully by his brothers!  He went outside to find a "wanted" poster.

 Hmmm ... that guy looks familiar!

 They spotted the crook.

 Then were off on a chase!

 After apprehending the criminal, they led him back for questioning.

 Information gained from the crook, led them to a hide-out in which they found a note.

 The note led them to the "loot".

 Police themed legos.  Isn't that a fun way to get your gift?!!!  I love seeing my children do this for each other!

   After a fun hunt, we headed out to ...

the Lego Store.  We had so much fun in there.  Looking at various sets, building mini figures and planning out fun!

 Daniel spent some of his birthday money and got some gifts from us too.

 Eliana enjoyed visiting the Disney store and found one of her favorite characters here.  She was so sweet about giving him a hug and saying good-bye when it was time to leave.  Her brothers are already planning to get a "Perry" as a gift for her birthday (which is in December!).

Daniel chose Taco Bell for lunch.

The afternoon was spent playing with lots of new Legos!

 Rebecca and Hanna decorated a cute drum cake for Daniel.  (He picked this one out from one of our books.  Its a favorite because he has chosen this one before.)

 Pizza for supper.

 With friends and family.

 Happy Birthday Daniel!

 We love you and had a blast celebrating with you!

I pray for you that this is the start of a year filled with laughter, sweet memories, learning adventures and more.  I pray that you would grow closer to God and more deeply in love with Him.

I love you Daniel!  Happy Birthday!

Love
Mommy

On the Other Side of the World

That is where my son is now.  Literally on the other side.  He is on a missions trip with a group from our church. This is his first international missions trip and I'm so excited for him!  He was pretty excited about it too.  :-)  Even though it was hard to tell from his calm demeanor.

Last week, we were at the beach with my family, my parents and my sister's family.  This has become a wonderful family tradition for us to spend a week together in the summer.  We all love it!  We had amazing weather and a delightful time.  More on that in another post.

On Wed afternoon, Christopher and I left for home.  We ran some errands picking up a few last minute things and then home to wash clothes and pack.  It took a good part of the night.

On Thursday morning, we went to Chick-fil-a for breakfast (his choice).  Then headed to the airport.  We met the rest of his team there.  I was surprised to see how much smaller his suitcase was than everyone else's!

Our youth pastor was there and he prayed for the group before they left.

 
 Time for hugs and good-byes!

What a sweet privilege to see this team off!

Would you join me in praying for them?  Here are some things I've been praying for and feel free to add your own!

*Health and safety for the team.
*For God to work in the hearts of all involved - the team and those with whom they will be meeting
*For God's love and grace to be visible to each of them
*For the church they are working with to grow as they seek to share the gospel.
*For seeds to be planted and people to come to know Jesus
*That the team would grow in their love for and knowledge of God and that they would have His love for others!
*For their return- that the transition home would not be difficult and that they would be able to share all that God has done.

That's just a bit of what I'm praying.  Thanks for lifting up this group.  We are missing Christopher - and yet also really excited for him and praying for him lots and lots!  In some ways, this is a bit of prep time for what is to come I expect - though I do expect to be able to talk with him more easily!

Blessings
Leslie

Football

Christopher finished up his last high school sport.  Flag football.  It's a fun group and he has enjoyed playing.  It's the same league as the contact football that he plays in the fall.  It has been a great experience for him. 

It was bittersweet seeing his high school sports career come to an end.  Christopher is focused, tenacious and fun to watch.  As a family, we've been to most of his games.  Its something I'm really going to miss. 

Thanks for the memories.  From starting soccer at 4 years of age.  Oh, that seems so long ago.  To basketball, football and running.  We have cheered you on week after week and year after year. 

Even though the field has changed, know that I'll always be cheering for you. 

Just a bonus photo that I took of Eliana playing during the game. 

Blessings,
Leslie

Virginia Visit

This post will let you see how really far behind I am.  This was Easter week-end.  I'm hoping to finish April this week and then quickly move on to May.  ;-)  I do have current posts in the last couple of months too!

We went to Virginia to visit some dear friends.  Its become somewhat of a tradition since they moved here 3+ years ago.  We attended a fun egg hunt and festival at their church. 

Lauren, Joshua and Isaiah. 

Rebecca and Hannah enjoying some cotton candy. 

Ready for an egg hunt.  Look at all of the eggs!!!  There were thousands of them.  (There was a count, but I don't remember how many now that it was - some ridiculously huge number!) 

. 

Will stop what she is doing to pose for pictures.  A sign that she has posed a lot!

Brothers on the hunt. 

Friends gathered when the hunt is complete. 

A little footbal or maybe tag?

Rebecca and Hannah made cupcakes.  Aren't they cute?!

Mowing is fun when you get to go for a ride. 

Beautiful girl!

Cook-out in the backyard. 

Roasting hotdogs. 

Then time for s'mores!

Lauren's baptism on Sunday. 

Trying to get a good photo - never an easy job. 

Christopher styling Katelyn's hair. 

Friends hanging out. 

The girls with their cupcakes. 

One last cupcake photo in case someone enjoys seeing them from another angle. 

Thanks friends for a wonderful week-end!!!

Love

Leslie