Happy Birthday Macy!

The long awaited day has arrived.  Macy is now 8 years old. She has been counting down the days since Kayla's birthday 6 weeks ago.  Excited is such a mild adjective to describe the anticipation of being eight.

Some of your favorites:

books: Magic Tree House

games: CrossWise

song: Frozen soundtrack

color: green

food: mashed potatoes, Chick-fil-A

drink: sweet tea

sweet: candy

friend: Katelyn

clothing: long dresses

Macy you are such a special little girl.  You love to read, create, plan, and play. There isn't much that your sisters can't talk you into doing with them.  You love to be outside and the pool would be your choice of summer activities, no matter how cold the water is. :)

You are soft-spoken and sometimes it's hard to figure out what is going on in that pretty little head of yours. You are tough and sensitive all rolled into one little girl.  It takes you a while to make a close friendship, but once you do you love your friends fiercely.

Traveling is one of your favorite things to do, and coming home from vacation is one of your least favorite things. I'm not sure how our return home from Mexico this summer will go, but I'm so excited to have this experience with you.

Reading is a favorite afternoon and bedtime activity. You love reading and there are always books spread across your room. It's not unusual for Mommy and Daddy to come in your room at night and to find you asleep with a book on your chest.

Macy,
You are such a ray of sunshine in our lives.  You love life and love being with your family. You have quite the sense of humor and your wit often catches us off guard.  We can read your feelings through your eyes and the sparkle of happiness in those baby blues is unmistakable. You love fiercely, are extremely loyal, and I couldn't be more thankful to be your mother. Thank you for the smile and laughter you bring to our family. I can't wait to see what this next year hold for you sweet girl.
Love,
Mommy

Dance Recitals

We enjoyed another evening of dance recitals this weekend.  Macy chose tap and jazz while Brooke chose ballet and tap. They did such a great job on their performances.  Sweet Brooke was front and center for her dances.

 Now if we can just get them to smile next year while they are dancing. Such concentration!

 

Tour of the World

Kayla has been working on a big project at the end of 4th grade.  She had to research a country, write a report, create a box of pictures and information, and decorate a table. She has worked so hard and learned so much.  We were so thankful that her Uncle Chris and Aunt Amanda were in Kenya when she first chose this country so they were able to send her some amazing things, including a few snacks which made preparing a food super easy on this mama. :)

She taught her class about Kenya too!

The whole class did such an amazing job. They worked so hard and learned so much. What a great experience this was for her! 

Happy 10th Birthday, Kayla!

It's so hard to believe we have gone from this,

to this.

 

Ten years old. Double digits. Mind blown. 

We had a great day celebrating this sweetheart. We started off the birthday weekend with a big surprise.  Two of her best friends from school came over to spend the night. She was NOT expecting this at all.  We were missing sweet Caroline, though. The girls enjoyed some playing, chatting, giggling, foosball, watching a movie, looking at their "old" yearbooks, and eating. Lots of eating. I think they checked off all of the "Things to Do at a Sleepover" items.

This morning we loaded up and took the girls to Dahlonega.  They enjoyed walking around the downtown area shops before lunch at The Smith House. Kayla loves her southern cooking and vegetables, but apparently she loves her mama's cooking best of all. :)

We then headed over to do some gold panning. I tried to explain to them that they would just be finding little pieces, but I don't think they were expecting pieces quite that little. It was a cool experience for them anyway. 

After panning we took a tour of the mine. It is the largest hard rock gold mine east of the Mississippi.  The girls had a good time venturing down into the mine and learning some neat facts.

After the tour we panned for gemstones.  This was a lot less work and a lot more rewarding. They each found lots of pretty stones to take home.

And because we got home so late the family birthday dinner will be celebrated tomorrow.  She did request Mexican for dinner and she was surprised with the gift of a tablet. 

Kayla, 

Wow! Where do I begin? You are the child that made me a mother, and I couldn't be more proud to call you my daughter. You are a compassionate, thoughtful, smart girl and we love being your parents.  You love spending time with your friends and family.  Sewing is your new hobby, but your first love is still reading. I can barely keep up with your desire for new books, but thankfully you don't mind rereading books over and over. You are your mama's daughter, that's for sure. :)

Your sisters love to be with you.  You and Macy are best buds and I hope it stays that was forever. She loves you and loves spending time with you.  Brooke, of course, wants to do whatever you can do, and she loves playing whatever you come up with.

Fourth grade has been such a great year for you.  You have continued to do so well in school and seem to enjoy almost all subjects. This year you began computer class which quickly became a favorite. That was followed up by learning to play the recorder, another thing you have enjoyed practicing. History, science, and writing continue to be your favorite subjects.

It's so hard to believe that you are now ten years old. I know God is going to use you for great and mighty things one day. My prayer is that I would continue to help you grow to love Jesus and to want to know Him more. You are a blessing to me and I love you deeply.

Love, 

Mama

Easter Morning

"He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and then on the third day be raised again.'" Luke 24:6-7

 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf

 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,  and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:46-47

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf

Luke 24:46-47
“Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” - See more at: http://www.believe.com/articles/Powerful-Scriptures-about-the-Risen-Savior/#sthash.vxFOMHyp.dpuf