LIFE & LESSONS LEARNED

CLAIRE TURNS 10: TEN THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT CLAIRE 1)       ROSES: Claire isn’t one to rush. She isn’t one to worry about how to get things finished, accomplished or check a box. She is a lingerer. She will take the long winding road if it means stopping to smell the roses, be surprised by God’s creation or simply rest and see what comes to her. This is a great quality and keeps her Mom always remembering what is most important in life. 2)       CREATIVITY : Claire is so creative. She loves music, and crafts, and dance, and writing poems and songs and letters. She always has a song on her lips and will gladly drop anything to draw, craft, paint etc 3)       BOOKS: Claire is a human library of knowledge and stories. Not only does she love to write stories, but she loves to read stories. And she’ll gladly read a story over and over again. Very seldom is there not a book in her hand whether she’s in b...

Dear Claire, Happy 9th Birthday! I can’t believe you are 9. I guess. I say that every year. Looking back through pictures I smile at your sweetness that comes through in your smile—and your gentle heart for all living creatures. Your little blonde curls and your curiosity for life always made me smile. You are still my very little girl, but I find myself talking to you much more on a deep level—discussing things on my heart and even getting your perspective on things. You are like me in many ways and also a good compliment to my more stubborn side. I love that you can be storming mad one minute and the next...soft as a cupcake--and as forgiving as a flower. You just let things go and always look for the best in everyone. You and    I have enjoyed doing two wonderful mother daughter books over the past year and also working on a mother daughter journal of thoughts. We’ve enjoyed many walks on the track and donut dates and shopping dates and movie nights on the couch. You love...

Dear Caleb, 13. It's official. You are a teenager. I read somewhere recently that teenager wasn’t a work until a few decades ago. Teens are often labeled as rebellious, independent and disrespectful. In those ways some kids will give full vent to living out those labels because it’s just the way kids are supposed to behave until they become more mature and then they will go back to a more normal respectful way. I have a hard time believing that you will ever be those things. You are a wonderful son and you have a great heart. I know there are times of tension between you and your parents or you and your siblings; there are times of higher emotion when I think even you don’t quite know what your body is doing, and there are times when   I am sure you’d like more independence, but by in large you have been a great son and we are so glad to have you in our family. As you grow, its fun to see how God has been shaping you from early on. You are an achi...

Jack- Happy Birthday! Your dad and I love you so much! You are such a special and unique kiddo. We love so much about you. I was driving today and thought if I could sum you up in one word it would be: STRONG. You are STRONG physically. One of the toughest soccer players we know. You are a force in the backfield, and a fierce striker when you get the chance. There’s a saying about people who talk a big talk but are soft. Their bark is bigger than their bite. With you---your bark is as big as your bite. You are STRONG in your convictions. And we are so glad you are. You know what you believe, and you stand strong in those beliefs. You are STRONG in your faith. You love the Lord, and you love to share what you are learning. We love our deep talks and walks with you. You are STRONG in your loyalty. You can get mad at people, but if they are your people and someone else says something bad about them—you will fight them to the death. We love that y...

One day Claire decided to try my wedding dress on for a photo shoot  Jack made me scrambled eggs in bed for Mother's day  Claire sewed me a purse and a barbie outfit, made me a puzzle and gave me a pair of earrings  Sandy came down for mother's day  got ice cream with friends  THESIS teachers luncheon  Claire loves the carefreeness of summer--lots of books and library visits  Jack hates TARGET and shopping--he tries to make things fun  Spring SOCCER -the boys played travel and Ben coached Claires team in rec  We made tie-dye shirts for fun  Back to Lexington for my other cousins wedding  pit stop on the way home for fun  family night out at valley falls  free tickets to the Carneige Science Center ran into some friends and came with others