Happy 10th Birthday, Alaina!!

Alaina,

You're a WHOLE DECADE OLD. Your first decade has been amazing. You are so quick to learn and eager to find fun. You are humble and wise and such a loyal friend.

We love having you for our first born. We're so thankful that you're willing to help out with your younger sisters and all the other younger kids in our life.

You are your Daddy's daughter. You and your dad love the same things and laugh at the same jokes. You're like two peas in a pod.

We pray that you grow closer to Jesus this year. You've reached a turning point in your life, where you'll start to move away from little kid things and on to big kid things, and that's not always easy. Jesus can help you. We pray that you'll make good friends this year that you can influence for good, and that you won't be easily influenced by the world. We pray that you'll always be able to find the Truth in every new idea that you hear.

We love you!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Joya & Bria

Alaina - Age 10

Favorite Color - Turquoise

Favorite Toy - My Sega

Favorite Fruit – Mangoes

Favorite TV Show – Ben 10

Favorite Thing to Eat For Lunch -Ravioli (the canned kind)

Favorite Outfit – shirt and shorts

Favorite Game - Trouble

Favorite Snack – Ruffles Original

Favorite Animal - All animals

Favorite Song – Beyond Me by Toby Mac

Favorite Book – Big Nate

Best Friend – Avery Brooke Gillett

Favorite Cereal - Trader Joe's Frosted Flakes

Favorite Thing to Do Outside - Climb trees

Favorite Drink - Cherry Coke

Favorite Holiday - My birthday

Favorite Bed Buddy - Mr. Cuddles

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Happy 5th Birthday, Bria!

You've waited a long time for this day, Bria, but it's finally here! You are five years old! It's hard to believe that we're quickly saying goodbye to all the little kid things, and saying hello to all the big kid things that you'll do. I know you're super excited to go to school, but you'll just have to wait six more months. Your mind is primed and ready to learn.

You are incredibly tenacious. Once you get an idea in your head, you refuse to let it go until you've seen it to it's completion. This is such a good quality; I pray that you'll use it to work towards the things God has you to do.

You're my big feeler. Right now, things are either The Best Ever or The Worst Ever. I pray you'll soon embrace the middle of the road things too. Your feelings are contagious, and I hope you use them for good.

We love you so much! We pray that the Lord keeps you safe and helps you to make good choices. We pray that you continue to seek after Jesus with your whole heart, and that you hate sin and get caught when you're guilty. We pray that you'll grow in patience, kindness, and goodness this year.

Happy Birthday Bria Faith!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Alaina & Joya

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Happy 7th Birthday, Joya!

Oh Joya.

You're seven! Seven is such a grown up age. You are definitely testing out your independence. You aren't afraid to try new things. I love your courage! You are doing so well in school (as long as you keep the chatting to a minimum.) It's fun to watch you learn and grow.

We pray that you are filled with wisdom as you face each day. We pray that you will choose what is right, and be bold to stand up for what is right too. We pray that you will be humble enough to seek counsel in all things. We pray that you will always be secure in how much we love you and want the best for you.

We love you so much, from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet!

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Alaina & Bria

Joya - Age 7

Favorite Color - Yellow

Favorite Toy - My big, fluffy unicorn

Favorite Fruit – Peach

Favorite TV Show – Tom and Jerry

Favorite Thing to Eat For Lunch - PB&J

Favorite Outfit – Nacho Average Girl shirt/Emoji Skirt

Favorite Game - Five Second Rule Jr.

Favorite Snack – Gummy Bears

Favorite Animal - Kitten

Favorite Song – Light Shine Bright by Toby Mac

Favorite Book – Green Eggs and Ham

Best Friend – Luna and Addie

Favorite Cereal - Frosted Flakes

Favorite Thing to Do Outside - Go in the tree hideout

Favorite Drink - Fanta

Favorite Holiday - My birthday

Favorite Bed Buddy - Hippo

Favorite Thing to Eat for Breakfast - Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie

What do you want for your birthday dinner? Chicken Caeser Salad

What do you want to be when you grow up? An artist and a famous singer

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Happy 9th Birthday, Alaina!

Alaina,

You're growing up.

Exhibit A - You didn't have to stand on a chair for your birthday picture next to the chalkboard.

Exhibit B - I don't have to bend over to hug you anymore.

Exhibit C - You chose Pops for your birthday breakfast cereal instead of Lucky Charms.

You are such a great nine-year-old. You are capable and independent and fun. I love how friendly you are to other kids. I love how you make sure to pay special attention to Bria. (I know that's because if you don't she'll bug the snot out of you, but whatever.) It's amazing to watch you make your own choices and handle your responsibilities your own way.

I pray that you will always feel secure in who God made you to be, so that you can concentrate on serving others. I pray that your love for music will grow and that you'll choose to nurture that gift through piano and the kids worship team. I pray that you will learn the benefits of spiritual discipline so that your relationship with God will deepen each year.

I love being your mom, and we love being your family.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Joya & Bria

Alaina - Age 9

Favorite Color - Blue

Favorite Toy - Asher

Favorite Fruit – Dried Mango

Favorite TV Show – Ben 10

Favorite Thing to Eat For Lunch -Ramen

Favorite Outfit – I ❤ Dogs with shorts

Favorite Game - Soccer

Favorite Snack – Flaming Hot Cheetos

Favorite Animal - Caterpillar

Favorite Song – Move by Toby Mac

Favorite Book – Captain Underpants

Best Friend – Avery Brooke Gillett

Favorite Cereal - Pops

Favorite Thing to Do Outside - Soccer

Favorite Drink- Mountain Dew

Favorite Holiday - My birthday

Favorite Bed Buddy - Patches

Favorite Thing to Eat for Breakfast - Cheerios

What do you want for your birthday dinner? Freddie’s

What do you want to be when you grow up? An artist

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Happy 4th Birthday Bria!

Happy Birthday, Bria! You are an amazing little girl. You are funny and kind, quick to apologize and quick to forgive. I've had such fun hanging out with you while your sisters are in school! You are pretty good at being patient when you have to do things like wait for your sisters to get out of school, or wait for Alaina to get done with piano lessons. You love riding your scooter and swinging on swings. You definitely live your life for fun! And you are a good helper. I love hearing you say the Bible verses that you learn at church. Watching you grow up is so fun!

I pray that the Lord keeps you safe, and helps you to grow in wisdom. I pray that you will learn to love Jesus at an early age. I pray that you will hate sin and get caught when you're guilty. I pray that you will always stay tender to the feelings of others.

We just love you so much!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Alaina and Joya


Alaina's Birthday Poem for Bria:

Happy Birthday Bria!
You're already turning four.
Happy Birthday Bria!
Please don't grow anymore.

Happy Birthday Bria!
This is a special, special day!
Happy Birthday Bria!
I'm glad it isn't May!

Please enjoy this card.
It's very special, you see.
I spent a lot of time making it,
And you are special to me.

I love you so
And yes you know,
I love you to the moon and back
I think of you as a big fun pack.

Love, Alaina

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Noteworthies

Fall is in full swing around here. Our days are marked by the rhythm and routine of school, and time marches on. Here are a few noteworthy things from the past few weeks:

The girls participated in Spirit week at school at the beginning of the month. Most of the themes were simple. My favorite was twin day, when my girls decided to be the twins. Even though he doesn't go to their school, Lee decided to be their third twin for the day.

Bria got glasses. She definitely needed them, because she has not fought us about it even once. She's a pro at keeping them on, and will ask for them if you don't get them to her quick enough in the morning or after nap.

We had fun celebrating Joya's 6th birthday. We went to Red Robin for lunch, then swimming at the indoor pool near Grammy's house. We had pizza and cupcakes at Grammy's, then the girls spent the night. It was a good day of family fun.

The girls love when the trees dump their leaves in the yard. Daddy hasn't been raking them fast enough, so they do their best to get the job done. My favorite part is when Bria picks them up by hand and takes them to the pile.

And Alaina has a new hole in her mouth.

 These are the days of our lives.