Mei is four! She loves birthdays the most and has been looking forward to today. She is sweet and opionated, articulate and thoughtful, joyful and fun. She is a night owl, knows what she likes, and is always ready for some fun. We love this little lady.
It has been 15 years since my sister Rachael died. I remember so many details vividly that it is hard to believe it has been so long. I wonder what could have been if she were still alive. I miss her every day and wish we could be adult friends, like I am with my other siblings. She was a great example to me of kindness and fun. I wish I could still have her here, but since that is not an option, I am grateful for the peace I feel when I think of her.
It is really true, although hard to believe, that Alex is 11 years old. He has matured before my very eyes. Today we are celebrating his birthday here, there, and everywhere and he is rolling with it like it's nothing. Alex is a reading addict. He could happily read the whole day. If he's not reading, he loves being with friends and family members and running, jumping, and playing. He is so incredibly helpful and playful with little kids and is very responsible. Being the oldest is a big job and he is smashing it!
My baby is one year old. I am in complete disbelief that he was born a year ago. This year has gone by at warp speed and Rhys has been a joy to have along on the ride. He is at such an adorable stage and makes everyone happy when they see him. He moves nonstop and is always making a beeline for the stairs or any other sort of trouble he can find. We are quite fond of him.
It is Declan's seventh birthday! Seven seems like a big deal. Declan is an undercover genius; he's not how I picture smart kids – sitting around and reading and meditating. He runs around like a maniac and then says he wants to be a lion "because [he] likes how their eyesight works and how ferocious they are." He can spend hours organizing and reorganizing his Pokemon cards and knows an insane number of facts about Pokemon. He reads way passed bedtime and we catch him in his closet with the light on and a stack of books well beyond bedtime. But that doesn't stop him from being the first one up in the morning, always in a good mood. He is friendly and fun. I love his squinty eyes and dimples and all of the rest of him too.
Edison is nine years old! He is such a fun kid. He does what he wants, but luckily most of the time that means he is happy, helpful, and kind. He has endless amounts of energy during the day and then falls asleep at night faster than anyone I know. I love seeing his smiling face every day.
