Halle is 6 on January 3!

This is out of order, but I thought I'd post Halle's birthday so I could get everyone this year.

This beauty turned 6.  I don't know how that happened?! The years here in Cache valley have flown.  Synergy keeps us so busy.  

This girl...

Is creative,

Is thoughtful (she made our bed and wrote us a sweet note)

She loves to craft!

She has 2 front teeth missing!

She's hilarious!

She's grouchy and sassy,

She loves her brothers!

She's loves stuff

She loves animals 

She loves her American girl doll (fake, but fooled her;)

She's mom's kitchen helper extraordinaire!

She loves pictures of her, which is why I have so many!

She loves to wear pretty clothes!

That's just some of Halle!  Love you Gracie baby girl!

Alana is 14!!!

When did this incredible girl turn 14?! How did my baby grow so fast? Where does the time truly go?  I feel like I am one of those creepy ladies at the grocery store staring at new mommies with all their babies stopping them to say, "watch out, they grow really fast! Enjoy your moments while their little!" 

Here's my evidence that I am allowed to say that:

She was just climbing out of her crib, making her 1 st grade class bark and climbing the nets at her soccer game.  Now she is thoughtful, kind, generous, helpful, talented, beautiful, fun and just great!  Having a teenager at 35 is a strange thing.  I really was just 14. I am a young mom, I do remember quite vividly what it was like to be her age.  Although I get frequent comments that she looks like me, she is nothing like me in so many ways.  

She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her clothes, her hair, she likes to cuddle with dad, she is persistent with art and doesn't give up, she's content to sit and read, she's awkwardly funny and doesn't care what others think, she has a inate and strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, she wants to get into a good college as an 8th grader and wants to try to get straight A's so she can get into BYU as a "Utah applicant," she is so much stronger than I ever was at that age!  

I am in awe.  I understand what my mother meant when she looked at me just so.  I have to learn to be a mother to her as she grows.  She will be gone soon, I only have a few more precious impressionable years.  Have I done all I could? I have to see her more as a friend than a daughter in my mind to help me not be so commanding and bossy.  I need to stop criticizing her and start applauding what she wants to be.  She inspires me to be my best.  It's amazing what your first child does to transform you.  Happy 14th birthday to such an incredible young lady, you have made me complete.  Love you Alana.

To celebrate, we went shopping and got treats with the girls! Fun times!

14!