Rylie turned 7!

So it's quite obvious I am catching up on my blog, the reason I post birthday posts first is because I LOVE birthday posts.  It gives me a chance to describe what each child is like at that moment in their life.  My descriptions of Rylie rarely change.  She was most definitely born a certain way.  She came with this personality and hasn't veered far from it.  Rylie at 7 is not very different from Rylie at 3!

She is a diva, she is dramatic, she is emotional, she is bossy, she is beautiful and she is smart.  That is and probably always will be Rylie.  But there is nothing wrong with those adjectives and let me tell you why:

DIVA- when you are a diva you have expectations.  You don't settle and that's just how it is.

DRAMATIC- when you are dramatic you provide endless entertainment and good laughs

EMOTIONAL- when you are emotional you feel everything...sometimes it might be negative emotions and sometimes they, well, always they result in tears but sometimes you have positive emotions and when you feel something positive it emanates throughout the whole house, we all feel it and it is radiant.

BOSSY-well, someone has to be!  

BEAUTIFUL- look at her!  She is beautiful inside and out!

SMART- the girl is so smart it is scary.  Scholastics come easy to her and I can't wait to see what she does with this big, beautiful brain of hers.

Rylie is Rylie, she is and always will be an emotional, dramatic, bossy, beautiful, smart DIVA!  Happy 7th Birthday baby girl!

You've had a birthday Shout Hooray!

Notice I titled it "HAD a birthday?"  Yes, Carson HAD a birthday about a month ago.  This fabulous kid is 9 years old.  I was reading my past blogs on this kid when he was around 2 years old.  Man oh man, he was a handful and I can honestly assure you that things have not changed.  He may not be using the toilet as a swimming hole anymore but stubborn, crusty, taunting Carson is still ever-present.  I can honestly tell you it drives me crazy but I can't tell you that without a big cheesy smile coming to my face.  

Carson has endured a lot this year and he has honestly done it with such an amazing attitude.  His perspective on life has changed and as a result I truly believe he will have a heavy influence on many people.  Just the other day I had a mom text me a message about Carson.  Now I have to be upfront in saying that when I initially read, "I have to tell you something Carson did..." I was somewhat frightened by what I was about to read.  There are many things Carson does and not all result in positive texts from Moms.  As I continued to read though I was choked up by the sensitivity that Carson has.  For she told me that Carson has helped her son in ways she couldn't quite put into words.  Her son has a medical condition that I didn't know about but apparently Carson did.   His large motor skills are hindered and he is unable to do many things that we all feel come easy, like ride a bike, pump on the swings, or run.  At recesses Carson has taken it upon himself as his duty to teach this boy how to pump.  This sweet mother wrote to me how her deepest fears for her son are ridicule and bullying, and what Carson has done is quite the opposite.  Each night her son states the best part of his day is when Carson is teaching him how to swing.  And each night she falls to her knees in gratitude that there are boys like Carson.  As I read I wept...surprise surprise.  I then read the text to Carson.  I explained to him that I truly believe God gives us trials to make us better people.  His diabetes has made him more sensitive to the disabilities of others.  He understands what it feels like not only to struggle with something everyday but to be different as well.  As I spoke with him about this he looked at me with so much sincerity my heart could burst and said, "I really feel what you are saying is true, I can feel it in my heart and it makes me want to cry!"  So of course I did cry and he laughed.  

I love this boy so much.  His heart is big and his potential is astounding.  I look forward to seeing what you do with your 10th year buddy.  I have a feeling it is going to be amazing.

Madison is 12 years old!

My Maddie has turned 12...seriously what is happening here.  Madison is my shocker.  She is the birthday that seems to shock me every year.  Well it's a tie between her and Emma.  I think it's because she is my itty bitty.  She doesn't look 12, she doesn't look like a Young Woman, therefore she isn't, right?!

She may not look 12 but she most certainly acts 12.  Madison has become my saving grace.  As life gets hectic around me, she seems to be the calming, sensical voice inside my head.  Well, sometimes...as we enter the adolescent phase of life I do feel the not-so-sensical teenage part of her comes out from time to time.  

I want to share an example of her maturity and her wisdom...Madison has become quite the accomplished gymnast.  As she achieved this accomplishment naturally she was invited to join the competitive team.  Through her determination and hard work she achieved what she set out to achieve since the age of 6.  She was ready and excited.  As she joined the team she continued to work hard and she loved every minute of it.  But as the adventure began Harvey and I were looking at the cost of the program vs. our income and we began to wonder how we were going to make it work.  A few months into it Harvey and I decided we weren't going to be able to keep Madison on this path.  It pained us.  We felt horrible.  The one thing she wanted she wasn't going to be able to have.  All parents want to give their child what they deserve and what they desire, especially if it is one she had put years of dedication into.  So one day after gymnastics I had to sit down with Madison and explain the situation.  As I told her of our desire to provide her with this opportunity but the expense being to great to grant it she looked at me with complete and total understanding.  I began to weep.  My heart was so full of love for this child as she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, "Mom I understand, giving me this opportunity takes away from the other kids...I am talented and good at a lot of things and if I can't do gymnastics I am pretty sure I can find something else I am good at."  Oh the confidence, the gratitude, the wisdom.  At this moment not only was Madison my example she was my teacher.  She taught me sacrifice and selflessness.  She was willing to sacrifice her dreams for the family.  I wept and as I wept she wept.  It was cleansing, and it was wonderful.  

Madison you surprise me every day whether it is through your hot temper or your mature insight...I AM AMAZED.  ALWAYS AMAZED at you.  Happy Birthday my beautifully smart, wonderful, determined, confident 12 year old.