Eight is great!!

 

My sweet girl is EIGHT today! It doesn't even seem possible. Macy has grown into such a kind and lovely little lady.

Macy is kind and loves to be with her friends. She is a good friend and wants everyone to be included and feel apart.

Macy loves art and painting. Art is her favorite subject at school.

She also really likes math, and I hope it will always stay that way!

Macy is the best big sister! She loves to play with her little sister and always makes sure that she is included. Maggie loves her big sister and wants to do everything just like Macy! She, also, knows exactly what buttons to push with her brothers..and does it often!

Macy loves to play "School" and I think she will want to be a teacher one day. She comes home from school and sets up her own school right away!

Macy is funny and silly and likes to make her Daddy laugh. She always is quoting movie lines with him.

Macy recently started gymnastics and she is LOVING it! She works hard at it and is constantly doing cartwheels, hand stands and splits at home!

Our girl is brave and willing to try new things. She has tackled new things this year, new activities and handled it like a pro.

We love our sweet girl and can't wait to see her tackle 2nd grade this year. We know that she will do well. She is a patient leader and we are so glad that she is ours!

Happy 8th Birthday, Macy!

We love you SO!

Happy 4th Gotcha Day!

 Four years ago today, we met this beautiful girl. We walked into a government building, filled with nerves and excitement and walked out with our precious daughter.

What a beautiful day it was!

Maggie has filled our home with love and laughter, lots and lots of laughter!

She is cautious and exact. She is brave and resilient. She loves details.

She loves to "joke you" and dance and sing!

Her favorite animal is a penguin. She loves to wear skirts and dresses. She eats oatmeal every single day. It is very favorite food.

Maggie has adjusted to wearing hearing aids beautifully and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. She is SO excited to go to her sister's school and ride the bus with her.

Margaret Li Ya, we love you so. We could not imagine our family without you. God has blessed us beyond belief to be able to be your parents. It is a privilege and an honor, and something that we do not take lightly.

Happy Gotcha Day, my girl!

We love you!

11

Eleven years ago today, this guy came into the world! He was a sweet and cuddly baby who soon was running and climbing and always moving!

Colin is a multifaceted guy with interests in many things. He is an avid reader and would rather read in the car than watch a movie or do anything else.

He loves to be active. Days where he has some sort of sport or movement are the best days. If he doesn't have any training planned that day, he will make up his own training.

Colin tried out for the Cats basketball team this year and enjoyed playing with his PE teacher as his coach and friends from school. It was a fun season and a change from turf to a court!

But his first love will always be soccer.

Colin is most happy when he has a ball at his feet. If he can play and compete with his friends, then that is even better.

Colin had more of a challenging year this year with Covid  protocols. But, they ended the year strong and he made the pre-MLS Next team for this year. We are excited to see what happens this next season!

Colin also enjoys creating and inventing and participated in Invention Convention again this year.

Hours and hours of work went into their designs and creation of the FRAME app, a memory app to help patients with Alzheimer and dementia and their caretakers.

Colin and his friend, Graham, did an amazing job and created something that could actually be used. Maybe one day, the app will be a real thing!

Colin also enjoys history and exploring.

His interests are varied and we love that about him!

Colin is funny and kind. He makes us laugh and has some of the best "Dad" jokes around!

He is a great big brother, even if he pick on his sister ALL.DAY.LONG.

Colin, you add some much love and laughter to our family and we are so glad that you are ours!

We are so proud of your dedication and work ethic in all that you do. Your drive will take you far in life. We are just so proud that we get to be able to watch. We love you, Colin. 

Happiest 11th Birthday, my son.

Have the best day...even if you are sick!

We love you!

13:

 It doesn't seem possible, but today, we have a teenager!

For 13 years, this guy has made me a momma. 

The oldest of 4 kids, he has had to be our guinea pig and so far, as survived the experiment of our new parent-ness. He handles it well, even if he pretends that he doesn't!

He loves to be with his friends.

Whether it is riding bikes, walking to 7-11 or playing online, he is always connected with his buddies.

He is a great student, even if he doesn't tell anyone about it.

He is a good big brother, even if he doesn't want people to know it!

He is funny and outgoing. 

He enjoys cooking and his favorite thing is making different smoothies.

Jack would live on a liquid diet, if possible!

He is excited to start working, now that he is 13. Babysitting certification and Soccer Ref certifications are coming right up!

(Anyone need a babysitter?!)

Jack is a natural athlete and enjoys playing soccer year round.

He had a great team this past year, with great teammates and great results.

Jack keeps up on our toes.

We couldn't love him more, even if he pretends he doesn't want us to!

Happy Birthday, my son. We love you so! We know that you are going to do great things.

We look forward to watching you grow, as we enter into this new world of teenagers.

I know that you are going to succeed.

Remember that you are loved.

Remember that your choices count.

Remember that we support you.

Trust your gut and make the smart decision.

Happy 13th Birthday, Jack.

We love you buddy!