Happy day to Calvin!!

 Today is Calvin's 11th birthday!  It seems like he was just a baby!!

He is a thoughtful young man - always has been!

 

But he is a lot of fun to be around!

 

He and Porter share a birth month - and sometimes get to spend time together!!

 

It's always a treat to spend time with him and his family!!

Have a great day Calvin - and a wonderful year ahead!!

Baby Jonah

Four years ago today, our sweet baby Jonah died.  He had come to earth with an imperfect body.  He still fulfilled his mission and so was called home.  He left a lasting imprint on all of our lives, and we are forever grateful for the blessing he was in our lives.

"Eleven days of life, a lifetime of memories."

The Many Happy Faces of Miss Ida Rachel!!

Oh happy day today to the ever-charming Miss Ida Rachel - who has more spunk and personality than you could imagine!!  This little girl brings us joy!

 

She's pretty determined and independent!!  And always has been!!

 

She has a way with words - maybe you've been lucky enough to get a letter from her!

 

She's pretty expressive too!

 

We love you Ida - and wish for you the best year ever!!

Happy day to a couple of special people!!

Today is special day for two special people!!  Phoebe and Porter are birthday buddies - we are hardly ever in the same place on their birthdays, but we think of them both - and we wish we could all be together!!

 

Phoebe's birth was long-awaited - there is family lore about Bonny and Harry telling us they wanted a new brother or sister - we told them we did too - so maybe we should fast and pray for this blessing!  So they agreed - and we did - and Phoebe was the special blessing we received!!

 

There's also some family lore about how Bonny would tell people I was pregnant - thinking that if she did, we'd make good on it!!  When we finally were expecting, we told her she could be the one to tell people - and lo, and behold, she reported back that no one believed her!!  Those days were full of some happy memories!

 

Today is a the golden day for Porter - 11 on the 11th!

 

And we did manage one shared birthday event - a few years ago!!

Here's to Phoebe and Porter for a great year ahead - we love you!!

Remembering Baby Jonah

Baby Jonah was born 4 years ago today.  Some anxiety surrounded his coming here, and we were indeed gratified that we were able to spend so much time with him before he was called home.

 

It was a special time for all of us to be together and to strengthen one another.  Marjorie pointed out what a blessing it was to be together, to sustain and lift one another.

 

His brief life was indeed a blessing to each one of us.

 

"Eleven days of life, a lifetime of memories."

We are grateful for eternal families.

Happy 2nd Birthday to Deacon!!

This little guy is 2 today - and it just doesn't seem possible!!  But we all say that, all the time.  It has been a joy to watch him grow - he has a definite personality all his own - and he brings us lots of joy and happiness.

 

I remember his dad being two - maybe that's why it seems so incredible to me!!

Here's a shot of Deacon's dad at two years of age!!  (Bonny is with him of course - in the front yard of the house in Centerville.)

Happy, happy day to you Deacon dear - may the year ahead be full of learning and fun!

Today is Bonny's 45th birthday! How can the years  have flown by so fast?

She made us parents! She takes her role very seriously -  and she's the best oldest child's around!

I love that she celebrates Bontober all month! I will try to blog in the spirit of Bontober when we get back from our trip!

Happy Birthday Bonny - and happiness to you all year through!