Celebration....

I love birthdays because it takes what would be an otherwise ordinary day and turns it into something even more fun and special.  Kyla's birthday last week was one of those days for us.

Something that definitely doesn't happen on a typical school morning.....getting to lick cake batter off of the mixer

And on a typical school day, you don't get to wear a crown made just for you

And on that day at 4:44 p.m., I grabbed Kyla, hugged her tight and told her that was the moment seven years ago that I saw her for the first time.

And for Kyla the birthday fun spilled over into the next day, when all of her grandparents and her Aunt Heidi came to help her celebrate.

 
Birthdays definitely make for a special day, but when it is a birthday of a life of someone you love, it is the best celebration.

Kyla Turns 7

Is it really seven years ago that this happened.........

Seven years ago today Kyla was handed into my arms and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember the love of those first moments.  My firstborn.  My first baby.  This beautiful baby.

And that beautiful baby, our firstborn, is turning into this beautiful girl......

It is happening right before our eyes.  Many things have changed between then and now.  I look back and those days of her as a baby are so precious because it was just us.  Even now when I look back at that time I see our first house and I remember bringing her home and the joy of it all.  It was a lot of firsts and we experienced them together.  She is so special to me in that way.  She helped us start our family.

As it is with anything, at that time, we couldn't see down the road.  Couldn't see the moves that would take place or the children to come.  But, God sees it all.  I already see some of the specific ways in which He created her and how they are perfect for the family God has given us.  Kyla is so patient and loving.  She truly loves and cares for her sisters.  She desires to help them.  She has always been that way.  From the moment Ashlyn was born, it was the love I saw Kyla give to her that led the way for me.  Kyla's heart is pure.

Kyla is a girl's girl.  She loves dolls, dressing up, princesses and Barbie.  She is excited to pick out her clothes for each day at school.  She likes jewelry and hair bows.  She likes things to be neat and organized. She loves school and all that comes with it.....the learning, the daily schedule, the teachers and students. She loves reading and has so much fun in gymnastics.  Kyla has the sweetest giggle and is happy when others are happy.  It bothers her if she knows someone is hurting. She is old enough now that we can talk to her about some things and when she finds out someone is in the hospital or having a hard time, she asks many questions about it.  Kyla is growing in her love for Jesus and as her parents that is our greatest joy and responsibility.   What God has ahead for her I can only dream.

Happy 7th Birthday to Kyla Elise, my firstborn.  A huge piece of my heart belongs to you and it is one of the greatest joys of my life being your mom.

Christmas into the new year

We are well on our way into 2014.  But not too far into that I am not still looking through pictures and thinking about our Christmas season.  For us, December is a very busy time, but also full of fun and family. Here is a look at our December in pictures......

On the morning of Christmas Eve we went over to the church with Troy to get our worship space ready for Christmas Eve service and spent time praying for everyone who would be at the service.  This was one of my favorite moments of our Christmas season.

Ready for Christmas Eve service

Christmas Eve jammies and popcorn

The cookies are out for Santa and we are so excited

And in the morning.....they are gone

We spent the week between Christmas and New Years with both sides of our families in Illinois......

The girls with their Great Grandma

Two beauties......Kyla and Aunt Kara

 All of us.....my parents, Kara and Dustin and my Grandma

Off to Grandma and Grandpa Hochstetlers......

Time for more gift opening

We had a very wonderful Christmas season and are looking forward to what this year holds.  I love what one of my favorite writers said at the beginning of the new year, "The future is as bright as the faithfulness of God."  With that truth in mind, we are ready for a new year of God's faithfulness.  Happy New Year!