Daphne had a really fun 9th birthday party. My favorite part about it was the relationships she has with the older girls she invited to be the "stylists" at this make-over party....Lacey, Malorie, Bethany and Kayla. These ladies have been our amazing babysitters probably for 5 years?!? (these aren't even our only babysitters either...seriously God blessed me with a clan of young ladies who love my girls) They've seen my little girl grow up and been a part of our family. They made this party! The little girls got their nails, hair and make-up done and the "big" girls helped me plan, pick up pizza, take pictures, etc etc. The little girls were in heaven. I loved the part where they all huddled around Daphne as Malorie applied her fake eyelashes. Once again it took a village to pull off a party at the Riddle house! (I did feel a little OLD at the night's end...the girls from 18 to 21 were talking about their engagement rings, wedding dresses, college courses, and senior pictures...I was a wee bit jealous of their clean slate futures) But...I'd never go backward.

A couple summers ago we were enjoying an oldie Reba cd and realized that this song was about a baby girl that weighed exactly the same as Daphne did when she was born.... so it automatically became hers and my song.  All the girls love it and I love the lyrics.  So true. 

6 pounds and 9 ounces, lookin' up at me 
 Like I have all the answers I hope, I have the ones you need  
I've never really done this, now I know what scared is
Sometimes, I'll protect you from everything that's wrong 
Other times, I'll let you just find out on your own  
But that's when you'll be growin' And the whole time I'll be knowin'
You're gonna fly with every dream you chase  
You're gonna cry but know that that's okay  
Sometimes life's not fair but if you hang in there
You're gonna see that sometimes bad is good  
We just have to believe things work out like they should 
 Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me You're gonna be
I'm afraid you'll have to suffer through some of my mistakes 
 Lord, knows I'll be trying, oh, to give you what it takes 
What it takes to know the difference between getting by and livin'
‘Cause anything worth doing is worth doing all the way 
 Just know you'll have to live with all the choices that you make  
So make sure you're always givin' way more than you're takin'
You're gonna fly with every dream you chase  
You're gonna cry, but know that that's okay  
Sometimes life's not fair, but if you just hang in there
You're gonna see that sometimes bad is good  
We just have to believe things work out like they should 
 Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me  
You're gonna be
Someone's everything  
You're gonna see  
Just what you are to me
You're gonna fly with every dream you chase  
We just have to believe things work out like they should 
 Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me  
You're gonna be, always loved by me

Henry had his first birthday last weekend.  It was a glorious day.  I just knew if I kept having babies I'd eventually get some things "just right"...ha!  Honestly, the experience helps a lot but it's just as hard in different ways.  BUT, in preparations for Henry's special day, I did take all the other parties we've thrown into consideration and it turned out pretty perfect!

We invited just family, which nowadays is quite a crew with lots of first cousins!  We planned an easy menu...hot dog bar with lots of toppings. I ignored pinterest, which although offered many a fabulous idea for a John Deere themed party, completely overwhelmed me!  I bought a new dress the week before the party so that I knew exactly what I was gonna wear and feel good about getting in some of the pictures.   Mike took the girls out to breakfast and to a couple job sites the morning of the party so I could concentrate on cleaning without new "kid messes" appearing underfoot.   I cleaned like a mad panicked woman, like I always do, thinking even family would judge me for cobwebs, but of course, never do!  My mother in law suggested I concentrate on just downstairs, which proved the wisest tip of the day.   I did however get to making the beds and tidying the birthday boy's room....that seemed a must to me!  And then the most simple thing I've learned but still have a hard time adhering to, is to prepare to be done with the cleaning an HOUR before the party.  So many times I clean right up to the last minute and am dashing into the shower as guests arrive.   Not this time!  I even got on make-up.

Finally, and you all are gonna like this learning curve of mine....at the very end of the party,  a few of us went out for a cocktail.  All my sisters were invited, but only Becca and cousin Jill could make it.  We left the kids with the husbands and high tailed it for the rooftop bar at McMenamins.    I just knew that I was going to be pretty sad about Henry's milestone...last baby...big huge year of mommy-ing, and that even more than the birthday cake and streamers, I was going to need this day to be a little about ME.  I honestly cried a good portion of the time I cleaned the house when I was all alone.  Good, therapeutic, blessed mama, happy tears.   So, after a really fun time with family, I was ready to just sit and sip a lemon drop on a beautiful September eve. 

Thanks to everyone who made Henry's day wonderfully wonderful.

Anticipation

A year ago at this time I was SO pregnant and getting ready in many ways to bring a new baby home.  Mostly, I just wanted my house organized and cleaned.  Isn't it funny what we think must be in order to make us ready for a newborn?

As much as I was uncomfortable and anxious to hold my new son, I knew that I wouldn't be pregnant forever and that I wouldn't be pregnant again.   And for those reasons I tried to savor it all....

I remember the night that I folded all the newly washed newborn clothes.  We were having a family movie night and watching "Follow Me Boys"...an old Disney classic.  I remember the last last last trip to Walmart for a few more things I might need, since we imagine we may not have time to go to the store ever again.  I remember the last time I stared at my pregnant belly.  And the last time I felt him move in my belly as I lay on the table awaiting his imminent arrival.

And now I lie in anticipation again, a year later.  Henry is about to turn one.  A year of milestones a whirlwind of memories.  A blessed year.  The sweetest boy ever.  Not wanting this year to be over, but so excited about everything new he does.

So glad we trusted God on this journey, to bring us a fourth baby....we are hanging in there, enjoying the ride!

Little Girls' Dance Camp Week

 Last week, Maisie and Ruby participated in a fun dance camp in town.  My niece joined us for the week so that she could go along.  It was one of those weeks in life where you know that you bit off a wee too much but wouldn't go back and change a thing.   The girls danced/sang/painted and basically had the time of their lives each day for FOUR hours.  Daphne, Henry and I did a few special things of our own while they were busy.  And then in the other hours of the day we spoiled Phoebe with things us "Riddle gals" love to do in our hometown...swim, visit our favorite ice cream shop, watch girl movies that her brothers would NOT appreciate, and also a variety of activities that aren't exactly special, but part of OUR every week, like the gym kid room, hours in the backyard and bedtime story time that goes on and on.

I loved the girl cousin time, and the leisurely things Daphne and I were able to do together....like lunch at the Sage, lunch on a bench in Carlton, and taking her girlfriends swimming too.    Was I exhausted?  Yes (there was lots of laundry, LOTS of lunches packed, and little fighting too)  But, you have to be intentional with relationships and Phoebe was worth it.  We'll do it again for sure!

The recital on Friday was the sweetest thing I've ever witnessed.  Ruby danced like-n a four year old "butterfly" should ....with total girlie-ness and pride.  You all would have died...as my sister-in-law or good friend.  All the girls were so stinkin' cute.  It really was a wonderful experience for the girls.

I can't close this post without saying that on top of all the busyness of our lives, the week was made more emotional with the announced move of my neighbor girlfriend and her special family.  After two years here on our block, they were headed back to their home state.  So, when I wasn't preoccupied with my charges, I was planning their goodbye bbq and feeling sad for our loss.  You will see Maggie, their eldest daughter in some of these pictures too.  She's the blond with the big brown eyes...a friend Ruby and my girls will surely miss!  Me too. 

It was a week full of memories for sure!

o