The years go fast....

I used to kind of live by that thought...the days are slow but the years go fast.  Lately it seems like even our days are going fast around here.  I guess that is how it is when you have three little ones running around.  Yesterday was our oldest child's birthday. How is that possible.  Her birthday always makes me pause and praise God for giving us our little girl.  Having Andie delivered to us alive and healthy is definitely because of a miraculous God.  There is no other reason why I went to the Des Moines Clinic (which had the big ultrasound machine - unlike the small clinic I went to usually) There was no reason for me to have an ultrasound at 36 weeks until I mentioned that I thought I was feeling a bony butt up by my ribs (it turned out to be her head - but I was hoping it was her butt).  There was no reason except God that I had a breached girl that caused my doctor to say..."hey...you are here in Des Moines and you never come to this clinic with the ultrasound machine....let's get you on that ultrasound and check out the position of the baby while you here so you don't have to make another trip."  And to find out that I had almost NO amniotic fluid left (I had not been leaking fluid...just stopped producing it) on the ultrasound and I would have to deliver my breached baby C-section after being closing monitored for a few days to save her life.  Too many "coincidences"....it has God's handiwork written all over it.

Andie - I can't believe you are SIX!!  Such a big girl and so many changes have taken place this past year in your life.

1. We moved.  Yes..I talk about it all the time and but it was a HUGE change for us...just moving 3 hours north.   Andie you are a lot like me.  You like the routine of life.  The familiarity of things.  This move was challenging for both of us but I can see you embracing the change and the excitement you get when we explore our new area.  This move has been really good for you (and me) because I think it has taught us a little more about being adaptable.

2.  Big Kindergartner.  And you are doing awesome.  This has been the first time you have been away from home....we didn't even do preschool out of the home.  We both struggled with you being gone from 8 to 3 every day in the beginning but now we both are used to the schedule and you love school.  Most days you are skipping to school.

3.  Big steps in FAITH.  We have talked about Jesus being your Lord and Savior this year quite a bit and you seem to really "get it"....it is neat to watch the Lord working on your heart and your child-like faith inspires ME to love the Lord more completely, with reckless abandon.  You have become a little evangelist it seems...asking friends to Awanas and asking friends if they know Jesus and read their bibles at home.  I don't do this like you do and it leaves me asking the question...what am I afraid of...my 6 year old does it all the time! 

4.  Two-wheeling it!  Family bike rides are fun now that we can move a little quicker.  AND I love taking our Saturday or Sunday afternoon girl time bike rides while the boys nap. 

5.  Reading, reading and more reading.  You can't seem to get enough this year.  You are reading so well and love to read and be read to.  Latest comment..."mommy....I just can't wait to open books and read the stories"  I feel the same way.  It has been fun hearing you read and also, reading to you a little bit more challenging books....ones that entertain me as well. 

So for you birthday we celebrated with a cinnamon roll breakfast in the shape of and "A" (Craig is the creative one when it comes to breakfast so this was all him)

The unwrapping of a few presents from Grandpa and Grandma:

AMERICAN DOLL GIFT CARD.  Sooo excited for our girl's day coming up in May when we go pick out her doll.  She has been saving for 5 months and has enough with Birthday money and all her savings to get a doll.  This gift card will go toward an outfit. 

Caleb modeling the super cute swim suit Andie got for her birthday.

And because we now live in the same town that Craig works....he was able to pick you up from school and take you out to a fancy restaurant for the lunch (Taco Johns).

Later the boys and I brought cupcakes to your class and read two of your favorite books:  Do Princesses wear Hiking Boots?  and Big, Mean Mike.

Happy Birthday to you Andie.  The years seem to be flying by but I am enjoying the girl you growing into.