Birthdays, Hair and Reflection.

Today my 10 year old daughter and 4 year old son share a birthday. Things worked out perfectly the other four children all had places to be this morning. So, I got to spend a few hours with just the birthday kids. I am so blessed by them.

McKayley turned 10. My first girl in the double digits. She is turning into a creative, beautiful and loving young woman. She is my melancholy child living in a house full of sanguine people. She brings a spirit of quietness and grace to us. When she was 6 she asked to get her ears pierced. Adam and I quickly dismissed that thought and told her when she was 10 she could do it. Age 10 seemed so far away to us and surely she would forget, right? Nope. First thing this morning we went and got them pierced. Awwww..She's growng up! Last night she had her *first date* with her daddy of course. Adam and I are both wanting her to enter her teen years with a strong and deep connection with her dads. Her earthly one and heavenly one. We want her to know she is a princess and how much she is loved. They were both so cute last night. Adam called before coming home to pick her up. He was at the florist and wanted to know if he should buy her flowers. He showed up with a rose and off they went. Hopefully the first of many daddy daughter dates.

Lukas turned 4 today! This kid is as funny as he is charismatic. He creates an audience wherever he goes. He seriously is one of the funniest kids to watch. He is thoughtful and sweet. He was so proud of dressing himself today. It wasn't until we got to the book store did I see what was wrong with his outfit. I'll post pictures-See for yourself! He was so excited to pick out his present. He chose a $2.00 Lighting McQueen car and couldn't be happier. I'm pretty happy about his choice as well.

And hair....
I'm finally after all this time getting more confident in doing Xia's hair. I'm getting pretty quick and more importantly she seems to enjoy it. For the longest time I relied on Gedese for the hair care. Except Xia would scream until she threw up every time she did her hair. Needless to say I feel pretty darn good that Xia doesn't do this for me:)

Finally reflection.
This time last year, I was spending my days and nights in a hospital room with the twins. I was very sick, tired and scared. So were the twins. I had a pregnant stranger(Gedese) living with us. If it wasn't for my husband's cousin Laura and my husband's sister Leah- Lukas and McKayley's birthday would probably have come and went without a celebration. Gedese would have felt alone and isolated. Laura was amazing and planned everything for them. Leah cared for our children while we were in Africa. She planned an amazing welcome home for us. She showered Gedese and the new twins with love. I will forever be grateful for all they did. I love you Laura! I love you Leah!It's hard to believe it's been a year. God has done amazing things this past year. He has blessed me with a quiver full of children, beautifully supportive friends and family to spend our lives with.

You have all touched and helped me through this year.





Xia's first steps in the hospital. She was 22 months old, weighed 12 pounds and was wearing 3-6 month clothes.