Happy Birthday, Georgia Reese!

My fingers are stumbling as I write this--but it's true--my baby is one! How this happened is beyond me, as I distinctly remember just returning from the hospital with her!

Reese is pure delight. Focused and opinionated, but gentle and happy. She loves to sing and will belt out whenever anyone else does--especially worship music. Looking and touching the flowers in our garden is her favorite pastime. She says "lala" so often that we have been able to discern what she needs by how she says "lala". For instance, "Lala?" Means, "May I have that, please?" Lala!!! means, "I want what I want right now!" and "Wahhhhhh Lala!" means, "No, I do not want any more", or "Give it to me now!" Other words she says regularly are: Dada, Mama, sister, Ju-ju (Georgia), Chesser (Chester), Da (dog), and Da (donkey).

She is an absolute gift and we all enjoy her every day.

On her birthday morning, we woke her up to her very first pancake breakfast. She also got to open her first present. Here, Liv helps her:

Kata Golda is a talented artist and she makes the most beautiful stuffed friends. I have always wanted to try to make my own version, so I did for Reese's first birthday. Here Reese sees her new friend for the first time:

And this is classic--Here Brian shows Reese how to love her new friend:

Reese enjoys Music class at the library:

Reese's special day was made even more so by a surprise visit from our friends, The Drakes:

They came wielding cupcakes. Reese chose the chocolate one. This was the perfect practice for her party cupcake:

The next day we went to the park for an after-dinner dessert party in Reese's honor.

Here she is swinging before the guests arrive:

Waiting patiently. Lala?

For me? Lala!

Mmmmm...lalaaaa!

I love the kids' faces here. Check out Alexander mimicking Reese's big bite:

Such sweet friends to feel her joy:

Here she is crying. Wahhhhhh! LALA! I grabbed her sippy cup of water thinking she might be thirsty. Nope. Maybe she wants to get down to play? Nope. Want some of Mom's dessert now that hers is demolished? Yep.

Present time!

Liv spent time with Grandma sewing this sweet little dress. She worked so hard to get it done for the party. She also is entering it into the fair this week. What a thoughtful big sister!

We are beyond blessed to have such dear friends to share this time in our life with. Here we are enjoying our time together:

Thank you God for our sweet daughter. Happy First Birthday Reesie-girl!

Beneath the Hemlock

Cheek to cheek, an outside ballroom

I am free

whirling, beneath the hemlock

captivity ropes fresh fallen at feet

heart-soar with a song of found freedom

a humbled heart is light

The wind feels it, too,

and so sails along as music to ears

like prison gates swung wide and chains, heaped

And this spot, beneath the hemlock

Spot of sacred whisperings

Remain a stamp to my soul

For when I answered His nudge

with heavy feet

He took those feet and made them dance

I'm thanking Him today

for His relentless calling

to spread the grace that is He.

Dry Creek

We got out of dodge the other day with our sister, Amy and brother-in-law, Chris. "Out of dodge" sounds like we traveled a long way to get some solitude, right? Actually, it was just miles from our homes, but it sure felt like we had gotten out of dodge. Originating from old West movies filmed in Dodge City when the bad guys were defeated, and used by youth gangs in the 60's and 70's, "Out of dodge" may not seem an appropriate phrase to use when describing a family outing. But we are an outlaw-type of family. Especially our brother-in-law, Chris.

But back to Dry Creek:

As I peruse through these pictures again, I am reminded of why I love Idaho so much. Consistent sunshine, trails and nature out back doors, beautiful dusky skys, shadowy hills, and the reliability of weather. When I lived in Washington, all activities could and probably would be cancelled due to rain. Not here, hardly ever!

Oh, and the doggies came along, too:

Gracie

Cooper:

Who here can resist a whole field of dandelions?

Though I have grown weary of dandelions over the years (can you say nuisance?) I must admit, they hold a magical quality, especially with children present. These were just begging to be set free:

The girls took turns hiding with Amy and Chris, to scare the other pair. Here are the hiders:

While they hide, Liv and Chris come down the trail:

And these next shots capture Liv getting scared by the hiders. Chris was scared, too, but he was trying to act tough for the camera. His image is fragile, you know.

Here Brian pretends that he likes his sister, for the sake of archiving memories, of course:

Reese has a perma-grin every time we hike.

Our hike ended with shadowy hills,

And happy dogs.

Apparently, dry creek isn't completely dry, and the doggies got to lap at some water, thus, the happiness.


Enjoy some Idaho, this week!