Another Birthday for Our Cate!

On the 16th of this month we celebrated 14 years with our Cate!  

I am so thankful for Cate!  Of all of our children, she is the most like me.  At times this has caused some frustration on both of our parts.=)  But what I am finding, as she is growing up, is that I understand where she is coming from and usually know how to help if it is needed.

Cate should be called Joy, because that is what she brings to our lives.  She fills up the room with warmth when she enters it.  She is always up to try something new and can find "fun" in any situation.

She has always loved color and has taken on an affinity for anything that sparkles.  The more glitter, the better!  It's no surprise to me that she loves things that sparkle.  She is bright and bold and sparkles from the inside out!

It has been a blessing to watch her mature over this past year.  She is growing into a woman who loves God and deeply cares about others.

Her greatest challenge is Algebra.  Maybe if I put some glitter on the pages of her book it will become more appealing.=)  Algebra is teaching her that a lot of things in life are HARD and well worth working for.

My favorite memories this year with Cate are the times that she and I sit down and work through our Bible study together.  It is a quiet time where we each are able to share our hearts.

Happy Birthday Cate!  Know that you are loved and cherished by all who know you!

Sweet Momma

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Sweet Pea at 9 months

Eleven years ago today, Sweet Pea came into our lives. 

At breakfast today, we went around the table and shared all the ways that we are blessed by Sweet Pea and how much we love her.  The comments that were mentioned most were:  kind, loving, thoughtful, easy going, quick to forgive, generous, silly and a wonderful friend.

She is all that and so much more.  Her heart is soft and open to God's instructions for her life.  She loves animals.  She has a desire for everyone on this earth to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

When our children are born we wonder what their personality will be and who they will become.  They are all so different.  Being born after two older sisters, she surprised us with another completely unique personality that tends to keep us on our toes.  She is not predictable, but in a good way.

She loves to play by herself and has resisted the idea of growing up.  And yet she is very mature and grounded in who she is and who she hopes to become.  She is kind and thoughtful, always writing encouraging notes to me, just when I need them most.  She gave the greatest gift under the tree to her Dad this Christmas.  It was a handmade book titled "The 16 Reasons that I Love My Dad."  Stand-Up Dad got rather misty reading that precious book.

Happy Birthday to our precious Sweet Pea!  Whether you want to or not, you are growing into an absolutely beautiful young lady on the inside and out!

Your Daddy and I adore you and thank God for your life and what you bring to our family!

Sweet Momma