Hippo Birthday to Rachael!

My Rachael is 8 years old and such a treasure. Last night four of her friends came over for a slumber party. Rachael counted down as we got ready for the party and watched the clock until her friends arrived. Rachael had a hard time deciding how she wanted to celebrate her birthday with her friends. First she wanted to ice skate with her friends like Emma had done, but when she realized that Emma had never had a slumber birthday party it became more appealing. As her friends arrived she brought them downstairs to set up their sleeping bags. This was the first sleepover for 2 of the girls and they were all excited.

This year Rachael had a hippo theme party, so we played a few games like hippo on the head relay and hippo on a spoon relay. She also wanted to play the Wii with her friends so we did that as well. She picked an ice cream cake this year so I only had a little bit of decorating to do on the cake. Rachael added purple and green (Speckles' colors) M&M's around the edge and made an 8 out of them on the cake, then she placed a mom and baby hippo on the cake. It took her 2 tries to blow out all of her candles.

They were going to watch a movie so we made popcorn ball creations as a snack. All of the PJ clad girls found their spots and they watched "Jumanji". Megan and Emma were both upstairs angling for the ability to stay up late too. Megan was already tired and started crying really hard. Rachael heard her and came up to help her feel better. I stayed with Megan until she fell asleep and then went down to check on the party girls. I found the movie paused and the girls finishing up cards for Megan, all wishing her a good night sleep. It had been Rachael's idea.

Rachael was having a great time and we let them talk for a while after the movie was over. Around 11:00 Jim let them know it was time to quiet down, but they really didn't fall asleep until midnight. Jim and I woke up early to make pancakes for Rachael's breakfast in bed. They were all sound asleep at 8:00AM when Em, Meg, Bridgie, Jim and I went to the basement and started singing. Breakfast and the rest of the morning went smoothly.

This evening we went to Rain Forest Cafe for dinner. It was Rachael's pick. This visit Bridget found the animals and noises very scary and spent the first part of our meal wrapped around my neck watching the big fish. Those she liked. We did walk around and some of the animals grew on her.

We returned home and Rachael unwrapped her gifts. The guitar was a hit. Jim set it up for her and she then walked around the house with it slung over her shoulder. She is hopeful that Emma can teach her to play. Emma didn't look quite sure that the skills she was learning on violin would be sufficient for that job. Luckily we have an instructional DVD as back up.

Rachael is an amazing girl. We sometimes find it hard to parent her but that is on us not her. She abounds with energy and ideas and she goes in many directions at full speed. But she is also sensitive to harsh words and touch. She feels things with great intensity: excitement and anger, joy and hurt. She makes me see on both subtle and amplified scales our impact in how we discipline and reward. Rachael is a blessing to us, and we thank God for the responsibility to guide such a wonderful child. She truly is a gift who made her appearance into this world in the same way she lives; with intensity.

Christmas Eve

Our house is active as soon as we wake up on Christmas Eve. The party started at 12:30 so we spent the morning doing last minute clean-up. I think we were more together this year than any other I remember. It is nice to feel prepared. Each of the girls wore matching silver skirts and tops. They were so pretty dressed up. Megan loves the full skirt because it is perfect for spinning. All of my siblings and their families came as did my parents and Aunt Liz and Uncle Theo. Everyone brought food to share so we had more than we needed as usual. Heather made my Aunt Mickey's bourbon ball recipe. It is my Christmas favorite, Yummy.

After we ate the adults did a white elephant gift exchange and we ended with the kids doing there gift exchange. My girls each enjoyed shopping and purchasing a special gift for their cousin. It was also fun for each of them to receive a gift from a cousin. Bridget received Little People bath toys and immediately took the people out to play. William had picked Megan's name and was excited to give her the cool markers and huge art pad he had gotten just for her. There was a flurry of wrapping paper and happy children in our small living room. After most people headed out Megan shared her art pad with her sisters and they all drew together in the living room laying on the floor. It was a scene to treasure.

Having snacked all day I hadn't been watching what the girls ate and realized as we were getting ready for church that it would be 7:30 when we got back. Bridget brought this to my attention by pulling on my skirt. "I hungy Mommy." So I made each of the girls a tiny sandwich that they ate as they got themselves in coats. We headed to Mass at 6PM to celebrate the birth of our Lord. Rachael was very concerned on our way over if we were also going to have to go to church on Christmas and again on Sunday. The air was unseasonably warm and humid and Emma declared it felt like summer time.

As we were driving home, we all talked ourselves into opening all of the gifts sent from Colorado. We made some reindeer food (oatmeal, cookie crumbles, and sparkles) and the girls went out front to spread it in the grass. Rachael had fun throwing hers into the wind, while Bridget delicately sprinkled hers on the ground. Megan was eager to get back in to open gifts as was Emma. Jim had sorted gifts while we were outside so each girl sat at her pile. They took turns opening gifts, although Bridget did keep trying to unwrap Megan's. Emma was quick to realize that each girl was getting Christmas PJ's and a Jewelry box. She was ready to put her jewelry in it right away but reluctant to put her ballerina one out of use. The girls had a busy and fun day. Megan made sure we remembered to get Santa his cookies and beer.

Bridgie turns 2

Our baby is two today. She is so big, smart and able. She is also so gentle and snuggly. She looks to us and needs us. It is a good age. We celebrated yesterday as a family. We went out to dinner to Applebee's and we ended the meal with waitreses singing a birthday song and dessert. Bridget was a little freaked out by the singing and attention but smiled after they left and said "Ladies sing 'happy to me' ". She dug right into her sundae.

When we came home, she opened her gifts. First she opened gifts from Grandma Kate and PawPaw. It took her a long time to get the wrapping paper off of the first few gifts. Rachael and Megan were eager to get them open and sometimes took over. But they found the balance of helping and not hindering and then letting Bridget do the final reveal. As soon as Bridget saw the puzzle that PawPaw had made of her name, she had to take it apart and put it together. It is always fun to hear her say "I did it". Megan couldn't help herself, she helped unwrap and put together and play with all of the new things. The new Snoopy played the happy birthday tune many times even while Bridget's hands were full with a new barbie of her own and a baby Snow White doll from her sisters.

Birthday breakfast started Bridget's day off sweetly. She was the first kid awake so I rocked her in the rocking chair in her room while they got the food ready. She beamed when they came in with the breakfast tray singing "Happy Birthday". Today she got to enjoy the syrup and waffles first. Then she shared pieces with each of us. The big girls and I had work and school, but Jim, Megan and Bridget had the day to enjoy. Jim said Megan and Bridget played with barbies and the little kitchen and baby dolls all day. When he suggested lunch they ran away and back to toys.

Bridget is such a constant of pleasantness and kindness. She is teaching me so much. We feel so blessed and couldn't imagine our family without her. We will have a big family party in conjunction with Rachael's, Megan's and Sarah's birthdays in January.

Rachael's birthday is next Monday. On the 23rd we printed and sent out invitations to her slumber party. It is only 5 days notice before the party. That is a personal worst. I hope most of the girls can come. The invitation is super cute. It has a picture of Speckles wearing a party hat.

Preparing for Christmas

With Thanksgiving being so late this year I felt like this Advent season went at warp speed. It has been very wet this December and the temps rather mild. I took advantage of a random 60 degree day and pulled out the Christmas lights. Jim was working from home that day and I was home with the little girls. So while Bridget napped, Megan played outside and I put up lights. Jim came outside to climb on the roof for me and help with the tree lights. While he was up there he cleaned the gutters out. Megan kept asking "What is that?" as he tossed muddy leaves down to the grass. She gave a big "Ewwww" when she inspected it closely. When Bridget woke up Jim brought her outside. She was pretty impressed, "Look at that" she said repeatedly.

We bought our fresh tree from the boy scouts this year and Megan "helped" Jim carry it in. I put the tree lights on and that evening the whole family decorated the tree together. We have so many ornaments now that Jim and I only put up a selected few. Bridget was excited to have a pile of her own and after watching her sister's technique, went at it. She got to practice quite a bit as her ornaments usually fell off and needed to be rehung. Rachael was up and down from the end table to reach high sections. Emma stuck mainly to the other side were she was the only kid who could reach up very far. This year Megan had much stronger memories of her ornaments and I think it increased her enjoyment.

We also have spent a lot of time making our Christmas cookies. We started with the sugar cookies because if they are last I run out of steam and get too frustrated to enjoy it. The girls all crowd around and take turns putting in ingredients. Bridget got to help this year as she sat on the counter. Her stirring looks a lot like churning butter but the concentration and involvement makes her help worth while. After the girls roll and cut out their shapes I send them into the dining room to decorate them. I think more sugar sprinkles wound up on the tray and floor than the cookies, but those cookies were not lacking for sprinkles. Rachael really enjoyed the freedom of this part. She tires of me bossing her around in the kitchen. Her cookies were beautiful, I look forward to seeing her continue and maybe neaten her technique in the years to come. Emma is an amazing helper and I can hand things over to her so I can tend to other things. Megan stays cheery throughout the cookie process even if I am getting frustrated by fingers in the bowl and lose the fun that I want it to be. Cookie making extends over a couple of days. When all was said and done I think we did over 17 dozen this year.

Jim has restarted a tradition from when he was a kid and has been making a Christmas Cookie Tree each year. Emma and I rolled and cut the green stars. Then Jim stacked and decorated the tree. Bridget was wowed by this yummy creation. We will share it with the family on Christmas Eve.

Sacraments

We enjoyed a relaxing and fun Thanksgiving this year. The girls woke up on their regular schedule so I didn't get to sleep in, but we let Papa sleep until Megan and I left for Mass. Rachael is really into the parade every year and gets excited for it to start. She parked herself on the sofa in anticipation at 7:00 AM. It is a good thing we don't live on the west coast.


We had a smaller scale Thanksgiving Dinner this year. None of our extended family could attend and Will, Heather and the kids were with her family. But still we had 14 kids and 10 adults. The adults gathered in the dining room and the big kids in the den. Apparently there were spies doing reconnaissance while we the adults ate, talked and enjoyed a glass of wine.


That weekend my dad baptized the 2 newest members of the family, Benjamin Shumaker and Lillian Jauquet at Our Lady of Victory Church. We ran late and showed up just as they were get doing the entrance song. This meant we were not able to find a seat up front that would accommodate our family of 6. Emma was full of suggestions of how one of us to go up to look or maybe squeeze in a few rows ahead. She has great ideas but frequently isn't aware of when to defer to Jim and I or that timing them during the opening prayer isn't going to help her cause. Luckily she was tall enough to see some of the baptism. The rest of the girls were not. I held Bridget up to see and she spotted Sarah on the altar being held by Uncle Erik. I think the whole congregation heard Bridget saying "Sarah" over and over.

After the baptism Will and Heather and Becky and Erik had a reception dinner. The food was yummy and it was nice to visit with so many friends and to catch up with some of my relatives. They set up a kids table full of games and toys so the kids were all very happy. We ended the evening by taking the annual Cousin picture. That is such a feat.




Then on Saturday 12/6, Rachael received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The 6 of us went and Rachael's godmother Dawn joined us. The service was good and Father Whatley spoke directly to the kids. Rachael was serious about the event. She decided to go to Father Whatley to hear her confession and so did most of the other children. Jim got in line with her and they waited for over an hour. Emma and I were able to receive the sacrament from other priests. Rachael was dedicated and after her confession went off by herself to pray.



Dawn came back to the house with us and we shared girl scout cookies. Rachael then took her down to the computer to show her the world of Webkinz. All of us enjoy playing the games that earn them kinz cash. Rachael loves to spend every cent, while Emma saves hers up for thought out purchases.

Reconciliation and Frozen Soccer

Friday evening we went to the elementary school prepared with beach chairs and blankets for family movie night on the floor of the gym. The 3 big girls and I watched "Kung Fu Panda" for a 2nd time while Jim went Christmas shopping with Bridget. Jim laughed that night as he told we how he would show Bridget things as they shopped and she would respond "Put it back, Papa". I guess she has heard us say that a few times. Megan did really well staying up late watching the movie and was proud she got to hang out with the school kids. Saturday afternoon I found her asleep face down on the carpet in the middle of her room. She's not that big yet.

Saturday Rachael had a Reconciliation Workshop as part of her preparation to receive the Sacrament on 12/06. Rachael is excited about this Sacrament. Her actions weigh heavily on her conscience and she will still be talking things over with me weeks after they took place. I don't know why guilt is heavy on her but it does seem to temper her impulsiveness some. After Religious Ed last week she excitedly told me about the Sacrament saying that she could tell all of the things to God and "they will be gone forever and ever".

She and I went up to church for the workshop at 9AM. It was a well run program that included the Zacheaus story and a song, a craft, and a tour of the reconciliation room, which we all know as the confessional. At the end of the 1 1/2 hour workshop Rachael's group all sat on a carpet in the back of the church to review the steps of the Sacrament. It is times like this when it is plain that Rachael is wired differently than most kids. She was up, she was down, she was leaning, she was touching the pew next to her, she was kneeling then squatting, and putting her arms in every configuration as the others sat and stirred only slightly. It was tiring just watching her. Amidst all of that movement though she heard, understood and answered questions correctly.

From the workshop she and I stopped at 7-11 to pick up hot chocolate and coffee for the whole family because we were meeting Jim, Megan and Bridget at the soccer field to watch Emma's soccer tournament. When we arrived Jim and the girls had already been at the field for 30 minutes. The temp on the van dash said it was only 30 degrees out. Jim met me at the van with a crying Bridget. She was refusing to wear her mittens and her hands were frozen and obviously hurting. We decided it was too cold and I should stay in the van with the girls. Luckily I got a good parking spot and could see the game from the car. Rachael sweetly leaned her head into Bridget and shared her hot chocolate with her. Bridget's tears stopped as she sipped the hot chocolate through Rachael's straw. I held her little hands in mine till they warmed up.

Emma's team played a very good game and it went into overtime. I was grateful for the DVD player in the van. Emma had Jim's Eagle blanket on the sideline so she and her teammates huddled under it while they weren't on the field. We were disappointed that the coach had Emma and a few others on the sidelines more than he should. Still tied after overtime it came down to penalty shots. The other team won with their last shot on goal. It was a tough loss but a really good season. Pink-cheeked Emma found fault in some of the ref's calls as she came off the field but conceded the game was won fairly.

Celebrating Life

As I write big snow flakes are falling from the sky. Nothing is sticking but it sure is pretty. This past weekend we had wet and cold weather. Rachael's last soccer game was canceled so the season was very anti-climactic. We were very proud of how she played and cheered for her team. Emma's tournament was also rained out but hers is rescheduled for next weekend.

The Saturday turned into a nice stay at home kind of day. As we ate dinner, Megan suggested we build a fire that evening and everyone gave a big "Yeah!". That set the evening in motion. After dinner Jim started the fire while I made brownies with the girls. Then they all took quick baths and got into jammies. We put on the movie "Kung Fu Panda" and snuggled in for a family movie night.

On Sunday, the 3 big girls and I headed over to Joe and Magaly's house for Kelly's baby shower. She is due Dec. 19, and we were really excited to have the opportunity to throw her a baby shower. It was a fun girl's afternoon with my mom, aunts, sisters and cousin. Becky brought 6 week old Benjamin and Heather brought 3 week old Lillian, so there was lots of baby and pregnancy talk. Emma had been excited when I suggested bringing a group game and made lots of attempts to get us to play it, but we were all so enjoying the conversation and food that we never got around to it.
 

All of us were eager to hold the little ones. Emma stayed upstairs taking turns holding Lily and Benjamin, while Meg and Rae played downstairs with Sophia. Toward the end of the shower Meg was asking for a chance too. Lily and Benjamin were happy to be held and slept through most of the passing around. Rachael was the last to ask for a turn to hold the babies since she was busy playing with hippos and enjoying treats. When she held them she did it well and looked intently at their little faces. The babies are both perfect and neat mix of their families. Each is so individual and I know has been right from the moment they began growing in my sisters' wombs. It is a wonderful oppurtunity to share this with my daughters and emphasize how special they each are and have always been. I am looking forward to seeing baby Nava-Blake.

Getting together with multiple generations has such benefits, I wish we did it more.

Changes at Home

We enjoyed the long election weekend, since The girls and I all had off Monday and Tuesday. I always enjoyed having off school around my birthday when I was little and since I was changing jobs I decided to take a few days off again. We were busy with Soccer games and Girl Scout cookie sales in front of Giant, but I also decided to take advantage of the long weekend and finally paint the big girls room. I had been wanting to do it since the girls moved in there before Bridget was born and jumped on the chance when I got it. We had purchased new quilts for the girl's beds that were all similar color tones but each different so it was a challenge to find colors for sheets and walls that I was satisfied with. Luckily Jim hung in there until I made up my mind. I wound up buying sheets from 3 places before I decided on the first ones. The whole family went to Home Depot to pick out paint and I think we did pretty well. We decided on blue walls with big dots in Chocolate brown, tan and green.

On my birthday I was woken up at 7AM by all 4 girls and a smiling Jim for breakfast in bed. I don't know how early Jim got up to organize the breakfast making, but it was great and I don't think he was too late to work. I had prepped the room and painted the walls on Monday, so I was able to do the fun part, the dots, on my birthday. We went out to dinner to Outback together and started listening to election results. The girls had walked up to the polling place with me while I voted. Emma and Rachael were eager for results but we had to keep explaining that what they were seeing was only a small part of a few states.

Wednesday when they got up they were sad to see the results. Emma teared up. In the election run up we discussed abortion with her and she understood what was at stake. We have been praying a prayer for babies and parents each night since then.

Wednesday was also my first day at my new job. A 12 person company has such a different dynamic from what I was used to, but the feel was very good. It is apparent to me that there is a lot for me to do to get their books in order. I am enjoying the challenge and immediate results after 4 days in. The best change though has been at home. I get home before dinner each day and I get to help with homework much more. My first day of work, Jim was picking up the girls and I beat them home. I had started dinner already and when he came in he was grinning. He was so excited that he wouldn't have to do fast food on Wednesday's, or frozen chicken nuggets, or hot dogs any more. I think we are all happy to be eating better and more importantly all together. I wasn't a big fan of eating by myself at 8:00 while trying to help put the kids to bed.

We had another overly busy weekend, this past weekend, with 2 cookies sales and 2 soccer games. Rachael's troop was at 7-11 and Emma was at Giant. That night scouts also had roller skating. Then Sunday I took CPR and First Aid training for Girl Scouts so Jim had the girls most of the day. We also managed to take advantage of 70 degree weather and do most of the leaves in the yard. All of the girls had fun raking and jumping in leaves. I don't know why but they always put leaves on their heads. Bridget learned this family requirement quickly.

More leaves have fallen since then, but also lots of rain and temperatures. These leaves will be much less fun to clean up.

Jim started back after a number of weeks off school, for a required class for his degree program. He'll have 10 weeks of Tuesday classes and then a few elective classes. After that he will have his degree. He wasn't excited to be back in class but I do think there was some excitement because the end is so near.

Tonight we all went out to a school event at Barnes and Noble. Emma played her violin with the school orchestra who only had a months worth of practice. They did pretty well. The store was packed with kids and parents, but that added to the fun of cupcakes and story readings by teachers. I look forward to the next time Emma plays.

This is a season of change for our family, and we feel blessed that it is change for the good.

Halloween

Halloween Costumes were hard to decide on this year. Megan had lots of ideas many of which included costumes she had worn before including her orange M&M. She made up her mind to be an angel. We already had wings and a halo so I sewed a white gown for her and she was all set. Rachael was interested in being an Egyptian but decided on being a Chinese girl. I think her Chinese classes had something to do with that. I really wanted Bridget to wear the Spider costume we had, but she wouldn't go near it. I had everyone else wearing it over a few days and we pulled out the pictures of Megan in it, but the real motivator for her was chocolate. The day before Halloween we practiced Trick or treating. I got out some candy and explained if she wore the costume people would give her treats. That did it. She got in her costume and wanted to practice the rest of the day. Emma was all over the place with her costume ideas: witch, leprechaun, pajama girl. But with only a few days to go she decided to be a poker player. Jim set her up one night at his poker table, with chips, cash and her sunglasses and took a few pictures. I then turned it into a poker champ T-shirt for her. I must say she really had a cool factor this year.

On Halloween Bridget and I brought Megan to preschool and watched their program of poems and songs. I didn't have any video tape for the camera so after the program we went shopping and picked some up. After lunch Bridgie napped at home while Papa was working and Megan went with me to the elementary school for the parade. Rachael invited Megan to walk with her in the parade. It was fun to see them holding hands. It is a pretty rare occurrence so very special to see. We saw Emma's class and joined them for their party. I heard many kids ask Emma about her t-shirt. The boys seemed pretty impressed. Then we went up to Rachael's party for a little while.

It was beautiful weather and perfect for walking around the neighborhood. Emma really wanted to be with friends so she called a classmate and asked if she wanted to trick or treat together. They worked it out that Emma would go with them. I missed having Emma as we trick or treated but she had a great time and was safe.

Bridget was so excited to go trick or treating she got herself in her spider costume and had Meggy help put her shoes on the wrong feet. We took a few pictures and headed out. Our neighbor Tom and his 1 1/2 year old son joined us as we walked the neighborhood. The girls were polite and on task. Rachael was sweet and stayed back with Bridget some of the time, so Bridgie wasn't always the last one to the door. They came home after lots of walking and had lots of treats to show for their efforts.

My Mom came over that night while the girls were going down to bed, so Jim and I could go out to the bar to see Jimmy's band play. We dressed in costume as well. Jim put together a great Hagrid costume from Harry Potter. The beard and wig freaked Bridget out until after Halloween when Jim showed her the Hagrid toy Megan has and she connected the two. I went as Hermione and made use of the Hogwarts robes from last year. We had a fun night and appreciated Mom coming over.

The girls are talking about next years costumes already and I am sure we will have many ideas before the final one.

Visiting Near and Far

We were sad to see Grandma Kate go on Monday. Poor Rachael came home from school on Monday and just wept. It was a really wonderful visit. I wish our schedule hadn't been so full, but I was glad to share our "real life". It is busy and hectic, but good. Emma received her Bronze award in a GS ceremony that we all attended. Amidst our busy weeks Mom was able to spend time with each girl on their own and they each treasured that.

On her first Sunday here the Thompson's stopped in for a visit. The grown ups enjoyed conversation while the 7 girls played. Bridget was well cared for by all of the elder girls. Some of the girls had gone outside to play and Bridget stood at the glass door saying "outside". So we enlisted Bailey as the one in charge and let Bridget join the fun. Rachael stayed of the fringes for a while. She seems to recognize the need for time to herself sometimes but also interacted and didn't miss the chance to play.

Mom jumped right into our days and helped with dinners and bedtimes and diapers. Megan and Bridget asked for Mom each morning. Bridget kept calling Mom, GG. I guess we had been talking about and praying for GG so much that she was ingrained in Bridget's head. By the end of the trip Bridget called Mom, Kate.

Last Saturday Emma and I went to New York City with the Girl Scouts. It was our first trip to NY and we had a wonderful time. We started our day by ice skating in Rockefeller Center. Then we visited St. Patrick's Cathedral. I asked to go back to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel so Emma and I had a few moments in prayer. Emma was struck by the difference between the main church, which had lots of people milling around and talking and then the silence and calm in the Chapel, which is behind the altar. We rode the subway to Greenwich Village for lunch and then headed to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History. Emma and I then spent our last hours walking around looking for souvenirs. And do you believe that I couldn't find Souvenirs in NYC. Jim is still laughing about that one. I had been mentioning it to Emma all day and we just weren't in the right areas. Even the Museum store was closed when we went there. I asked Emma what her favorite part of the day was and she said "the whole day". When I prompted a more specific answer she said " the subway".

While we were in NY, Jim, Mom and the little girls had a day in Baltimore. They went to Rachael's soccer game and then went downtown. Mom and Rachael spent time at the Science Center while Jim and the littlest ones walked around and visited the bookstore. Then they met up for dinner.

Sunday morning I awoke to a very excited Rachael who climbed into our bed and shared story after story of her time with Grandma. Rocks and dinosaurs and building with K'nex. Rachael then ran to get all of her things to show me. I was really impressed by structure she built. I think I asked Mom more than once if she followed a diagram or model. Nope she came up with it on her own and boy did she love doing it.

Sunday after Mass Jim and I picked up 165 cases of girl scout cookies for Emma's troop. Then Mom, the girls and I sorted them into orders. It took hours but it was a great team effort. Rachael was stationed in the back of the X'tera handing out the cases, while Mom, Emma and Megan put them in the appropriate scouts stack. I handled the counting and organization. There were many offers of ideas from my girls as to how we could do it, but sometimes just one person has to be in charge.

That night was Mom's last evening so we shared a family dinner and played games together. We played Cadoo on teams and enjoyed each other's company as we sculpted, drew and acted things out. It was a calm ending to a great visit.

Baby Lillian

We were all excited yesterday to welcome little Lillian to God's wonderful world. Heather and Will make a great team and were glowing when I arrived a few hours after her birth. I got to witness big brother William interact with his new little sister. He was tender and interested and seemed struck by the wonder of God's work. Lillian has soft light brown hair, with a face shaped a lot like William's. I really enjoyed being able to hold her.

Our girls call William, Willy and Rachael got a kick out of Willy and Lily. Then Emma impersonated the way William says her name, which comes out like Yill-ye-an. What a crew of cousins they are!