pajamas and cupcakes

The girls both got new pajamas and spend as much time in them as I allow. Even though Hannah loves Thomas the Train (like her big sister), she also loves dressing up! 

 We continued the birthday celebrations a week later and had friends over for dessert Friday evening. Abigail requested flower cupcakes. I also made mini cheesecakes, lemon bars, mint brownies, and punch.

Birthday Catch-Up

My baby is four! As most parents say, "She was a baby just yesterday!" And though the time has flown by, and I do feel like it was just yesterday, I also feel like she's been ready to be four for a while. She is truly a little girl now. Her baby and toddler years are long behind her, and I am beginning to see the Lord working in her little heart. She is becoming a helper and learning about the joy of obedience. We're both learning to be partners in grace! (more to come on that later!)

My mother in law makes the best homemade angel food cake, with homeamde frosting. The cake had both Rodney and Abigail's names on it, and the Reece's Pieces were a childhood tradition.

And we can't forget the birthday boy! This birthday was the year of the grill:) He finally found his dream grill brand new on craigslist, so he received many gifts that we'll all enjoy this summer. We actually went on a date on his actual birthday and enjoyed a fancy (and quiet) dinner just the two of us.

Both my parents and in-laws joined us for the weekend, making for a very relaxing birthday weekend celebration. I am very thankful to have two sets of parents who love us and our children.

We celebrated on Saturday and Sunday (Abigail's actual birthday), so Abigail got to blow out candles twice! I made her favorite breakfast - homemade cinnamon rolls. And then we ate Monical's Pizza for lunch after church.

We love you, Abigail, and continue to pray for  your salvation, that the eyes of your heart would be opened to the Good News of God's Rescue Plan.

Fun with the cousins

Evalina, Ellie and Benton were here for a couple of days in the middle of last week. The kids played hard during the day and the adults stayed up late talking!

I continue to be thankful that the cousins are all the same age and continue to pray that their love for each other grows (even though all 4 have unique personalities!).

Birthday weekend fun: at the CAT museum

Both sets of grandparents were here for the big birthday weekend, making for double the fun.

We had a leisurely morning, followed by a long lunch at Chick fil A. The girls played after lunch before we headed to the CAT museum, where they spent the rest of the afternoon climbing all over equipment. It ended up being a highlight for both Abigail and Rodney! And I particularly enjoyed watching some videos and learning a little bit more about what my husband does everyday!

It was truly a perfect day.

Early morning gratitude

(written a week ago -- for some reason, it did not want to post on the Ipad!)

This morning, I am thankful for many things:

• Early morning energy - this morning I asked my husband if I could make him breakfast. His reply: "You must have slept well last night." :) I have been particularly tired this week, so rising early is truly a miracle!
• Extended quiet time in the Word this morning.
• God's faithfulness to me, especially when I'm not faithful to Him.
• Strong coffee and now a big thermos of rooibos tea.
• Healthy and cheerful kids. 
• Warm pajama snuggles from my girls.

(written today)

• a late start to the morning (all three of us girls are fighting off colds, so the extra sleep is a blessing, as are children who sleep throught the night -- especially when sick!)
• leftover blueberry baked oatmeal -- my current favorite breakfast
• napping children and a quiet afternoon - another blessing for a mommy who isn't feeling 100%
• a whole new group of friends who love our children abundantly every Thursday night. I am amazed at how God perfectly provides.
• the joy of reading the Word to my girls and their excitement to learn about Him.
• delicious pumpkin bread and homemade calzones (the pizza dough is currently rising!)

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa

Before we opened gifts, we read the Christmas story again. You can never read this story too many times! But Hannah really wanted to read "Who is Coming to Our House" -- a much diluted version of the Christmas story -- with Grandpa. 

And on their second time through the book, Abigail joined them too.

Here they are enjoying one of their many gifts

Dr. Harms lives has quite the double standard. She has no troubles giving many shots to her patients, while she puts her mommy through lots of drama whenever she has to get a shot at the doctor!

The girls really liked Rodney's gift too and decided it was best used as a means of transportation.

I didn't take very many pictures. Sorry Grandma, I don't have any pictures of you. I guess that's what happens when you sit next to the photographer on the couch. I'm hoping this isn't telling of how 2013 is going to be. Poor Baby Harms #3, you probably won't have as many pictures taken of you this year either. And I have yet to start Hannah's 1st year album, but it is on my to-do list for next week!

being silly and a couple more random pictures

Here we are testing out the timer feature on my camera. I have a little of my dad and a little of my mom in me :)

And of course, feeding Camus is always a highlight for my children. He is such a patient dog, letting Hannah feed him one piece of his food at a time!

I think dog slobber is gross, so rest assured, her little hands were well washed shortly following this excitement. Hannah helped Camus with jail break several times by pulling hard enough on the gate to release Camus from his "happy  place" (the laundry room) -- so funny.