Happy 13th Birthday, Gabe!

Dear Gabe,

Today was your last day as a "kid."  Tomorrow you become a teenager, despite the fact that I'm not totally prepared for it.  When you're a first time parent, everyone says, "the time goes so fast." And you nod and promise to savor every moment.  But what you don't realize is how right they are; I had no idea time would go THIS fast.  There's so much I want to hang on to, but so much I'm excited to see in this next stage of your life.

I'm so proud of the young man you are becoming.  You have a great group of friends and continue to be our social butterfly.  You are REALLY into performance sports cars and plan on buying a Lamborghini when you grow up.  You are into scootering right now, and continue to improve your backflips on the trampoline.  You've spent lots of time lately playing Fortnite with your brother and friends on the PS4.  :)  Last year you became a big fan of London when we visited, and Italy is next on your list (all those cars!).  I really enjoy hanging out with you - sometimes you even agree to run errands with me, which is time I cherish. 

I am praying that as you get older you will make wise decisions, be considerate and compassionate, and that you would feel God's guidance in your life.  At this time next year, we'll know where you're going to high school, and you'll be preparing to leave Grace - a place that has been so special for our family.  So many exciting thing ahead for you.

I love you, Gabe.  Happy birthday!

Love,

Mom

Happy 10th Birthday, Caleb!

Dear Caleb,

First of all - TEN!  I can't believe it.  I have no more kids in single digits!  It's been quite a year.  Your love of cubing has continued, and you can now solve a 3x3 in less than a minute.  In fact, at the school talent show this year you solved not one, not two, but THREE cubes in less than two minutes. The audience was amazed.  :-) You're still playing piano and working your way through the Coldplay hits. AND you WON the Pinewood Derby this past year!  And let's not forget our Europe trip.  I cherished every moment of watching you and Gabe experience that adventure to Cornwall, London and Paris.  You really sent your single digit years out with a bang!  We celebrated your birthday with family and - what else - a cube-themed party. 

You're a special kid and our family just wouldn't be the same without you.  I'm so thankful for you and pray God's peace and protection for you always.

Love,

Mom

Happy 12th Birthday, Gabe!

Dear Gabe,

A few fun memories of your 12th birthday:

• I can still hold you!  But you had to jump to help me out a bit.  :-) This has been our annual birthday tradition.
• You really wanted to get the new Nintendo Switch; after waiting in line in the rain at Toys R Us, they ran out of tickets right when they got to us.  So we paid the guy in front of us an extra $50 and came home with a Switch. 
• We celebrated with family as always at Mammow's but also had a really fun party with your school friends at Dave & Busters. You've got a great group of friends in 6th grade and I'm so thankful.

I refuse to believe that next year you will be a teenager.  But, as you know, no matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby.

I love you, Gabe.

Mom

Happy 9th Birthday, Caleb!

Dear Caleb,

Your 9th birthday was during some tough times. Aunt Judy was not doing well and we also found that our dear Meow was gravely ill while you and Daddy were at Camp Paradise. But in spite of it all, your birthday gave us joy as we celebrated YOU and all the ways you make our family special.  You are a bright, thoughtful kid who is so determined and focused on things that interest you.  You are becoming a rubik's cube master and made it through your first year of kid-pitch baseball (though you are vowing NOT to play again :-) ).  We celebrated your birthday at our house with family and a "Nerf" theme - you and the cousins had a lot of fun!  Turning 9 means you're halfway to 18 and my heart can hardly handle that, but the joy you bring to our family is something I'm thankful for each day.  I pray God gives you strength, peace and courage in the coming year and always.

I love you,

Mom

Happy 11th Birthday, Gabe!

Dear Gabe,

For your 11th birthday party, we gathered at Mammow's, as we traditionally do, to celebrate with family.  We had a "pizza" theme, and you wore every piece of new clothing and basketball accessory you received, all bright and colorful, just the way you like things.  As always, a friendly game of basketball took place in the driveway, and we enjoyed spending the day with cousins and family.  You've always loved being around people, especially family and those you love - our little social butterfly.  You are opinionated and perceptive and just entering the "tween" years.  I can hardly believe it.  You are my sill my Gabie Baby, my firstborn, and I love you so.  I pray only the best for you as you enter your second decade of life and pray that God gives me wisdom and guidance to be the best mom i can be.

I love you.

Mom

Happy 8th birthday, Caleb!

Dear Caleb,

I love this picture from our "Mommy / Caleb Camp" time last weekend. I love it because it reminds me of the time we were able to spend together, but also because it reminds me of your determination and persistence.  We worked on solving that Rubik's Cube for probably four hours that afternoon. And you stuck with it the whole way, through endless You Tube videos and way too many references to algorithms. Since then, you've solved it a bunch more times on your own and you're getting faster every time. I love that you stick with something until you finally get it; it's a quality you've always had and it's one of my favorites.

This year has passed with lightning speed,  as each year seems to do.  You finished 2nd grade with flying colors. Your teacher said you are a model student, and you told us that you didn't even get on yellow one time the whole year! :-) Math is your favorite subject and you even got the Mega Mathematician Award at the end of the year. You loved playing baseball again this spring and have asked for catcher's gear for your birthday (we'll see what tomorrow brings)! :)

You are exceptionally smart and brave. You're extremely conscientious and aware of what's going on around you.  You are friendly to others,  even when it makes you nervous.

You have amazing reading comprehension and love reading the Harry Potter books over my shoulder (and always pointing out when I skip a swear!). :)

You learned to ride a 2 - wheeler this spring and have even gone on trail rides with daddy.  You also learned to swim this year!  In so many ways you continue to face and overcome the things that make you feel afraid.

I'm so proud of you,  Caleb. And so thankful that God choose us to be your parents.  It really is such a joy to see you grow.  I'm so thankful another year has passed,  because it means another year of health,  growth and memories with you.

I pray God's best for you this year and always.  That your belief in Christ will develop into a strong relationship with Him. And that you continue to be brave and persistent.

I love you,  Cay Cay! Happy birthday!

Love, 

Mommy

Happy 10th Birthday, Gabie!

Gabie:

Tomorrow we celebrate your TENTH birthday.  Ten years ago, you made me a mama and it hardly seems like a decade has passed.  Instead, it seems like I should still be able to pick you up and throw you on my hip like I did when you were smaller.  While I can't pick you up like I used to (and you barely fit on my lap anymore), I'm so thankful to watch you grow and learn everyday.

You are like no other - God made you unique with your witty sense of humor, outgoing personality and tender heart.  You're becoming more independent and confident; you have a great group of friends and for that I'm so thankful.  You have incredible passion and sensitivity, always wearing your heart on your sleeve.  I can trust you to do the right thing - you are conscientious about your actions and the actions of those around you.  You love sports - right now you love basketball and just finished your first season.  You are just starting baseball again and are doing a great job even though you felt frustrated last season.  And we can't forget the baritone - you started playing this year and have learned so much.  You love to play things by ear on the piano and are great at figuring out melodies without the music.  And we have to talk about that hair.  You LOVE having it long and told me this week that you're "known for your hair" at school and "that's how your friends find you."  :-)  This weekend in the car you confirmed that you'd like to be a prospector when you grow up, but that you'd also like to play for the NBA and NHL.  I love your big dreams and pray you never stop believing that you can do anything.


I'm so proud to be your mom.  I know you're becoming more independent, but I will never stop pulling you close, kissing your cheeks and telling you "I love you."  My grandma has always said to me, "you'll always be my baby."  And I feel that way about you.  No matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby - my firstborn and the one who made me a mother.

I love you, Gabriel.  Happy 10th birthday!

Mommy

Happy 7th birthday, Caleb!

Dear Caleb,

Tomorrow is your GOLDEN birthday!  Or maybe it's your "platinum" or "diamond" birthday?  After all, you were born on 7-7-07, and tomorrow you are turning 7!  That seems pretty special.

This weekend we celebrated in Rockford with family.  You asked for a baseball themed party, and couldn't wait to play "kids vs. grown-ups" in a whiffle ball game in the front yard.  Even though you weren't feeling well, you had a great time.

This past year has been a year of learning and exploring your talents.  You finished 1st grade with flying colors.  After starting the year a little nervous about writing stories, it ended up being your favorite activity and Mrs. Reddel said you were a model student. You even ran cross country this year!  You also played baseball for the first time this spring and again overcame your fears, did your best and ended up having a great season.  And more recently you've been working very hard at learning piano; you set out to learn "Midnight Express" and within 2 weeks you had it down (and have now played it approximately 4,237 times!  :-)).  Definitely a natural.

You are one of the bravest boys I know; you continue to conquer your fears and try new things even when you feel nervous. You are conscientious and kind; you are always aware of your actions and the actions of those around you.  You get along well with your brother (most of the time), and I'm thankful the two of you have become such good friends.  You are smart as a whip and an excellent reader; you always follow a story and ask lots of questions (and read plenty on your own as well!).  You have a contagious and genuine laugh that often causes you to stop in your tracks or double over.  The very best moments. 

I love being your mommy.  It's such a blessing to see you grow and learn new things.  I love that you still love to snuggle at night when you're going to sleep and that you still keep "day day" close.  I love that at random moments you say, "mommy, I want you."  And then when I pick you up you throw your arms around my neck and put your head on my shoulder.  These are moments I will remember and cherish always.  Forgive me when I seem impatient; I want to be the very best mom for you and Gabe, but I know at times I fall short.  Just know that I love you very, very much and always will....no matter what.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing that Caleb is to our family and those who know him.  Bless and keep him and may he continue to grow in you.

I love you so much, Caleb. Happy 7th birthday!

Sara

Happy 9th Birthday, Gabe.

Dear Gabe,

Tonight I am sitting in a dark hotel room in South Dakota watching you sleep; balloons and banners taped to the walls to meet you with a "happy birthday" greeting when you wake.  We are here for spring break and it's been the best time.  Today we saw buffalo and antelope and sheep and hiked and climbed on rocks.  How fun that you get to spend your birthday in such an exciting and new place!

Tonight I held you in my arms and we took this picture.  You still hate pictures, but I wanted to capture your last night as an eight-year-old (and prove that I can still hold you!).  You see, tomorrow you'll turn 9, and it's the birthday I've wished would take the longest to arrive.  As always, I'm so happy to mark another year - another year of growing and learning and memories and health and you becoming more "you."  But 9 is halfway to 18, and I'm not sure I'm ready to be on the downhill side of that slope.  Nine means most of the "little kid" stuff is behind us, a fact you gladly acknowledge.  Nine means you're halfway to going away to college and living on your own; a thought that literally takes my breath away.  It's hard to explain why this is so bittersweet.  I think it's because it's just been such an amazing experience to watch you learn and grow these 9 years; changing and learning new things everyday.  I am fascinated by God's gift of you to us; you are such an amazing kid and have blessed us in so many ways.  My mother's heart wants to keep you small and protected, but it's a selfish desire and I know there is so much the future holds for you.

So, instead of hanging on to the last 9 years, I am choosing to celebrate this milestone with anticipation of what the next chapters will hold.  I hope I can be the kind of mom that encourages you in all the ways you'll need me to as you grow older and more mature.  You are incredibly smart, handsome, witty, sensitive and kind. Daddy and I could not be more proud and we pray God's best for you this year and for many years to come.

I love you, Gabie.  Happy 9th birthday!

Mommy

2013 Year in Review - September

More time with the "kids."

We officially bade farewell to the best summer with one last stop at Petersen's.

Dad and Dan put the final touches on the steps and we asked Dad to do the honors of checking it off the list.  Also, was able to fulfill my dream of pretty mums on pretty steps!

I tried my hand at grape jam - it was tedious, but good!

Cub Scouts started!

We had a block party and played basketball in the street.

We celebrated Dad's birthday "Chicago-Style."  Berghoff's (German meat, anyone?), Giordano's, Garrett's, Magnolia, Palmer House, Millennium Park....

Cross Country started for the boys.  Dan helped coach and, while it was only for third grade and up, they invited Caleb to join the team as well since he had been practicing with the team.  He was over the moon.  They both did a great job with their 1-mile races.

We had a visit from very special friends and their girls!  Dan and Justin have been friends since 6th grade and we were so happy to have them here and meet their little ones.

MORE cross country (pre-race jitters).

A visit with my college besties - my how we have multiplied!

My sweet cousin Hannah's baby shower (aren't she and Ashley so pretty?) and a picture of my mom and her sisters.

Aaaannndd more cross country.