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 6th Birthday Joya!

Sweet Joya! You've waited a long time for this, but you are finally six! It's so fun to celebrate with you! You are growing and learning and thriving in school, just like we knew you would. We love watching you be creative. You work hard, even when things are hard to do. We're so proud of you for getting the Ownership Core Value Award at school! You are so fun to be around.

We pray that you continue to learn how to love others and show kindness. We pray that in humility, you'll consider others better than yourself. We pray that you always know that you are loved and that you can be secure in the love that we have for you and that God has for you. We pray that you will always seek Jesus first, when you are happy and sad and confused and thankful and scared.

We love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Alaina & Bria

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Quick 5

In case you were wondering, Colorado is gorgeous in the fall.

1. Last Wednesday Gramma and Grampa Kimble flew in for Joya's birthday. They arrived just in time for the birthday pizza. It was so nice to have them here, even if it was only for a few days. Lee was able to take off work, and they all played for two days straight. They left Saturday morning, and as of this morning, Friday, six full days after they left, Bria finally stopped asking if she could have breakfast with Gramma and Grampa. She loved that part.

2. Joya's birthday fun lasted for days. It started with her special birthday cereal choice: Reese's Puffs. We had pizza for dinner and then her special birthday dessert: banana splits. She had originally asked for chocolate cake with bananas, but since I wasn't sure I could excute that in such a way that the banana wouldn't turn brown, I suggested banana splits. They were glorious.

3. Joya loved all her gifts, which were heavy on the My Little Pony and Lego side. She also got quite a few skirts and leggings, because WOE is the person who asks Joya to wear pants. She loved Aunt Mindy's presents very much:

Sparkles galore!

4. Gramma's present was extra special: a pedicure. Joya has never had one before, and she looked so cute having her toes done. Of course she picked purple, because she was dressed head to toe in purple that day. And who wouldn't want to cap off a lovely pedicure with a delicious double chocolaty chip frappucino from Starbucks?

5. The pinnacle of the birthday extravaganza was Casa Bonita. And I took approximately one picture inside. There was too much to do and see and too many kids to chase around and keep from tripping the servers. Let's all stop talking about how bad that food is and just relax and enjoy the amazing atmosphere they have created. The kids had a blast. I can't wait to take them back there when they are a little older and I don't have to constantly count heads to make sure we have everyone.

I'm going to need one more week to recover from all the birthday fun.

Happy 5th Birthday Joya!

My pretty girly girl. You are 5 today! You are now a kid and no longer a baby. You can do so many things for yourself. You love to learn and love to practice what you learn. You love pretty things! Especially pretty things to wear. We pray that as you celebrate the beauty that God gave you, that you will learn that true beauty is found in your character, as you love and help other people. You love to color and paint and create art. You're my princess girl. My proudest moment for you this year was when you chose to ask Jesus to live in your heart.

We pray that you grow to reflect the character of Christ. That you will learn to listen to Him to tell you the right things to do, and that you will be able to resist the temptation to do the wrong things. We pray that you choose kindness and humility. We pray that you would learn to do everything as working for the Lord and not for man. We pray that you will be a blessing to everyone you meet.

We just love you!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Alaina and Bria

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Happy 4th Birthday Joya!

Joya, you are 4 years old today!  We are amazed at your personality every day.  It's so different and wonderful.  You asked for birthday pie instead of birthday cake, for goodness' sake.  Where did you come up with that idea?  It was a good one.  You love to dress in pretty dresses and you love to do everything that Alaina is doing.  Your proudest moment this year was when you were able to play outside by yourself for the first time.  And going to Cubbies.  You love being a Cubbie.  And you love to tell jokes.

We pray that you learn to love Jesus.  We pray that you will hate sin and get caught when you're guilty.  We pray that you will learn to love others, and that you will always be aware of those around you and come up with ways that you can help them out.  We pray that you will grow in compassion and obedience this year, and that your joyful spirit is a blessing to everyone.

We love you so much, Joya Shae!  Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Alaina & Bria

Happy 3rd Birthday Joya!

Joya's response to "Smile pretty!"

Happy happy birthday, sweet Joya!  You're three years old today.  We love how much you are growing and changing and learning to communicate what is going on in that head of yours.  You love your big sister and want to do everything she is doing, including going to kindergarten.  Don't you worry...that will come soon enough!  It has been fun to have you home while Alaina is at school.  You are so sweet and funny and it's nice to see that when Alaina isn't around.  We're still working on being gentle around Bria, but she loves to watch you because you are so funny.  We love to hear you sing and say Alaina's Sparky verses right along with her.

We pray that you will learn to choose to do the right things, and that you will hate sin and get caught when you're guilty.  We pray that you will be a great influence on the world and not easily influenced by the world.  Most of all we pray that you will love Jesus at an early age.

Our sweet Joya Bear.  We love you!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Alaina & Bria

Happy 2nd Birthday, Joya!

October 14, 2012

Sweet Joya, you're two!  You are such a fun part of our family.  You bring joy, humor and hilarity to our household.  You love to dress up, and could spend hours in pretty princess dresses.  Your favorite toy is usually the one that Alaina (or "Lalala" according to you) has in her hand at the moment.  It is so fun to watch you learn to do things by yourself.  This year will be one of many changes for you: moving from the crib to a big girl bed, becoming a big sister, and ::maybe:: even potty training.  I think you're going to be a great big sister.  In fact, I think you were born to be a big sister, although you make a great little sister too.  Even in the midst of all your antics (like stripping down naked during nap time) I can't help and be so amazed by your sweet little face. 

We love you so much, baby girl!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Alaina and Baby

October 14, 2010

Joya's First Birthday Party

We had Joya's birthday party on Saturday.  It was a lovely, very warm day, which made my menu of yummy fall soups kind of a bad idea.  But who knew it would be 80 degrees in the middle of October?  My parents and brother, sister and her family and some family friends crowded into our house for the big event.  Joya cheerfully crawled around, chowed down on potatoes and carrots from the sausage potato soup, and turned delighfully bashful when we all sang Happy Birthday to her.  She enjoyed the cake, but didn't eat too much of it.  I'll be honest: we (and I do mean I) are pretty militant about keeping the girls from sugar until they are one, and I love how when we do finally give them cake or whatnot, that they are perfectly content with just a couple of bites.  If only I could show that same restraint.

And here's another confession: I'm not a fan of the first birthday.  I think I'll do much better when the girls can tell me how they want to celebrate.  I don't really know if I do enough, or if I'm going overboard, since when they turn one, they don't really care anyway.  But I do like celebrating my girls.  And I was so proud to celebrate Joya.

The party guests arrive

Joya just wants a toy to chew on

Opening presents

She got toys and clothes

Grandad the Party Animal

Sometimes Mommy didn't open the presents fast enough

Alaina got to hold her cousin Oliver

Lovely shoes from Apple Ben

Blowing out the candle

It's so pretty

The only bite she took of the whole cake; the frosting was much better

Trying to get the cake off her hands