Emma's 7th Birthday

Emma's 7th Birthday 

 Just writing that as the title seems to be shocking to me. I know I read it and hear it all the time that people are - gasp - SHOCKED that their children are getting older. And, it always sounds so cliche to me to hear people say that the years just go by so quickly.

Well, it's all true! And, it's time for me to insert the sappy blog about my baby growing up! :o)

I can hardly believe that it has been 7 years since I became a momma. It sounds like 7 years - and 5 punks- would be plenty of time to have mastered this art. Uh, not so much! Sheesh! I keep asking God why I can't seem to get this mothering thing down, and why I continue to try to be in control. 

Well, I suppose that is another story and another day because this day is about my Ems.

We celebrated low key with just our immediate family and some cake. We did take her and Jenna to Big Splash the week before for some evening swimming and a Newsboys concert, so that was our present to her. But of course on her birthday we did our usual decorating of the house and cake time! 

It makes my heart smile each time all four kiddos are sitting in these stools. We bought these stools because we would need to sit 4 kiddo bums in them one day, but I never really visualized them all sitting in them. It's super cute!

The Birthday Queen

My photo work was quite poor this day. Sad!

Micah was DYING to grab the cake/candles!

You can see Emma trying to hold him back in these pics.

And, there's my big 7 year old! I remember crying in the car on the way home from the hospital because I had no idea what I was doing, and frankly, I still feel that way most days! It's only through God's grace, strong mentors and friends, and prayers that give me the confidence or perhaps hope that I can lead these children down a path that will lead them to a life of serving Christ.

Ems, you are our big leader. All of your siblings look to you to guide them. You LOVE all things gymnastics right now, and think that Mikayla Maroney (Olympic Gymnast) hung the moon (I am sure I spelled her name wrong, but I am too lazy to google it right now!) You are in your second year of Possibility People and preparing to have a role as a Kickin Cowgirl Angel in the Christmas presentation. Your favorite song has been Something Beautiful by Need To Breathe for some time now. You are a little fashionista and are very particular about what you wear and only allow me to "fix" your hair on certain occasions. 

You continue to mature each year both spiritual and emotionally. It is exciting to watch you take on this role of a Christian more and more as your own. It always brings my heart great joy when you tell me about a prayer time you had with God on your own or you share some new revelation you've had about God or even just our family. 

Despite your EXTREMELY strong will and tough exterior you have a pretty sensitive heart that we see when we talk about Jeremiah or your brothers. You think your brothers are pretty much the cutest things on the earth, and they think that you are pretty much the coolest girl on the earth! They constantly are asking, "Where Emma?" or saying, "Hi Emma!"

Despite the sister fights that you and Jenna engage in daily, it is clear that you two have a strong bond. You two will literally spend hours setting up your Little People, My Little Ponies, and random princess figurines in your room to create an elaborate village. You two LOVE playing house, House Hunters ;o), school, and all things doll related. Often we find you two either screaming at the top of your lungs at one another, laughing uncontrollably, or deep in thought creating your newest game. 

Emma, God has blessed our family with your strong spirit, quick wit, and desire to love. I love watching you mature and evolve into our family's leader.

 I love you, Ems, and there is no one else I would ever have picked to be my first born!