5 Years + 1 Week

Ok, so I am a little behind, but last Friday, Alena turned FIVE! She is an amazing little girl that we were all excited to celebrate. Let me take you back a bit though...long before Alena was born we were given a gift....

Long ago, in a church far away, sitting in a big room, with not too many people, Ben and I were taught a simple but powerful lesson: We could hear the voice of God. Simple: Read John 10, it says we are His sheep and we can know His voice. Powerful: The Creator of the Universe speaks to me! This can be used for many different things, but one of the ways it has absolutely blessed Ben and I has been in raising our children. HIS heart (meaning God's) is consistently more compassionate, kind, loving, and gracious than mine...so it advantageous to hear His voice when it comes to kids who push me to my mental, physical, and emotional limits. He has this way of speaking to me about them that softens me and helps me see them in the light of glory. Did I mention this is helpful on difficult days? It's actually helpful on the easy days too.

So, anyway, 5 and a half years ago when we found out we were having a girl, we prayed and asked the Creator of our child, who was this being growing inside of me? And believe or not we heard astonishing, yet simple, characteristics about our little one. Now, don't let me fool you...sometimes I doubt, I think, "Really? We heard that, but will that be what she is really like?" I am not always steadfast- thankfully, He is. But then...5 years and 1 week goes by and I frantically search for the exact piece of paper it was written on that day....and when I find it, I am overwhelmed by the power there is in hearing His voice. I will only share a few because these are Ben, mine and Alena's pearls and we won't give them ALL away to the internet...but enjoy, because God is good and faithful and He is simple and He is powerful.

* Confident Joy

I wish you could hear what her teacher says at conferences, this confirms we heard right on this one!

* Shining Star

She is sweet and kind and dramatic and soft. She is a true light.

* Passionate Friend

To her brothers, to girl friends, to me, her dedication never wanes.

Her birthday party was simple. Strawberry Shortcake met pigs-in-a-blanket with chocolate covered strawberries on the side. I was fretting because I wanted MORE for her, MORE friends, MORE presents...but she looked at me, as we were making her cupcakes, and I told her just 2 friends were coming, and she said, "Perfect, mom, I can't wait." Thank you God for the gift of hearing your voice and thank you for the gift of Alena.

I love her, forever.

DENTIST!!

Can I brag on my kids for a minute here?? Of course I can, that's why I started this blog in the first place.

We went to the dentist today. We recently moved and so we have been trying to get set up with a new kid dentist, adult dentist, doctor, church, hair stylist, friend (or two)...etc, etc. Anyway, our adult dentist, (found simply out of desperation when Ben needed an emergency root canal after we'd been here about 2 weeks) referred us to a great kid dentist. Have I mentioned that I L-O-V-E-D our kid dentist in Tacoma (well, actually Gig Harbor)? Well, I did, I loved her. She was smart and kind and did a ton of preventative work with Caleb and his teeth. The kids adored going to the dentist- it was a win-win situation! So I have been apprehensive about if this booming city (documented in this blog) would have a place that I could love as much. Is it so bad that I just want my kids to enjoy going to the dentist? Well we found a winner today!! The front office staff was SO kind, the hygienists were off the charts, and the dentist was A-MAZ-ING. I am proud of Spokane. But I am even more proud of ALL 4 of my awesome kids.

They played like champs while I did, seriously, 20 minutes of paper work. Alena kept Titus from eating some insulation that was inconspicuously poking out from under the play boat they had in the waiting room. The boys were so hungry, but waited patiently for their appointment to start. They were star kids in the dental chairs, climbing up so bravely and then speaking with their hygienist in big kid voices. They went to get teeth pictures all by themselves and said it was "easy-peasy." They answered all the dentist's questions and laughed politely at all his jokes. They were champs. Even Titus let the man look at his teeth without shedding a tear! A win, I tell ya!

We didn't get out with no trouble at all....but I know I, at least, am looking forward to going back for the teeth pulling and cavity filling appointment. I hope they are too... ;)

We've Been Busy

WOW! Life and love have taken over these past few weeks... Valentines Day, Alena's birthday, special guests...all these things set me up for a lack of blogging and a overabundance of love and life.

Today's blog will therefore include something so random and mostly unrelated to my life... but nonetheless something I wanted the whole world to know about!

JELLO PLAY DOUGH

1 Cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
1 three ounce package of jello - flavor of your choice

Stir all ingredients over medium heat until it thickens, it takes about 8 minutes. Then knead until it's cooled enough to PLAY!!! 

The recipe came from my sister in law (thanks Kristin!!!!), who probably found it off the internet but I don't know where she found it, and honestly I don't really care...just want you all to have the recipe for future birthday parties of your own...

Alena chose a Strawberry Shortcake party this year so we used strawberry Jello, it was a hit and a great party favor. More on the party, our V-day and special guests at another time!