Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview

Our sweet Evelyn Jane Lucille, as it goes with every kid at every birthday, it's hard to believe how big you are.  I remember so vividly the day you were born.  You were my most traumatic labor-coming in the middle of the night and five weeks early, but pink and beautiful and completely healthy.  Now that I know your personality, I have no doubt you meant it this way.  I'm sure if you could've you would've have given us a big cheesy grin and blurted out "ha-ha".

I love your sense of humor.  You are genuinely funny and bring joy into our home.  You are always saying or doing something mildly inappropriate, always trying to walk the line and see what will make us laugh and will get you into trouble!

You can also be a fireball when angry.  Your newest thing is to put your hands on your hips and shout, "how dare you" when you feel violated.  May the Lord soften your heart and give you a desire for righteous justice.

You love to try new things, and you go forward in life with little fear.  If your big sisters are doing it, there's a good chance you are going to do it as well.  You will not be inhibited by your age or size-you will climb that tree, you will ride your bike, you will run that race...

I am always asked, "where does she get her hair?".  It is still so bright and golden blonde.  The quick easy answer is from her father.  The other day you told me you wanted to dye it brown...

You are our most snuggly.  Always giving a hug or a kiss, or when we are caught off guard, a lick on the cheek. 

I pray that God will use the sweetness in your heart (and the fire in your belly) for His kingdom work.  May your love for Him grow more and more!

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Gummies!!

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Swimming & Skating  

The best show on t.v. is:  Mickey Mouse & Elmo (we don't even watch these shows ever...)

The coolest person on Earth is:  God

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: God  

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Reading Lesson

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  China

My favorite color is: Orange...I mean, pink.

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Vet, even though I don't want to take care of snakes...actually, I want to be someone who works at the pet store

My favorite song is:  How Far I'll Go (Moana)

The book I am loving right now is:  an Animal book...actually, my favorite is a baby book

Three words that describe me are:  E-V-E

When I was little I used to:  Throw away my own diaper

My favorite season of the year is:  Winter

The snack I like best is:  Gummies

The food I really dislike is: Zucchini

My best friend is:  Krista & Veronica

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  Having baby rabbits.  Lots and lots of baby rabbits until they are stacked up and touch the sky.

My best memory is:  Finding Treasure in Swimming Lessons

Ella's 9th Birthday Interview

Embarrassingly, but also typically, I'm just getting to birthday interviews and here's it's been 5 months since Ella's birthday.  The good news is that I just did 3 kids in one shot, so maybe I'll get caught up....until Caleb turns 1 this weekend!

So, Ella Grace, you are 9 years old.  I remember holding your sweet little purple face when you were born and thinking, "Is this really my baby?!".  You had dark hair and olive colored skin and you were so beautiful.  Of course, given your genetics you have become fair-but still quite beautiful (despite your genetics ;))

You continue to amaze me with your positive attitude and your ability to get your hands dirty.  You love to have a good friend by your side, but you aren't afraid to try new things on your own.  

You are always thinking, always planning.  You know very clearly what you want to be when you grow up-it just changes frequently.  In fact, you change your mind frequently about most things,  "I'll take the grape popsicle....actually, I'll have an orange."  That's our Ella.

This year, you completed your first year of public school.  Last Fall your teacher said you were "exemplary."  I agree.  You do your work when it needs to be done, and you do it (mostly) well.  You are kind and sweet to all of your classmates, whether it is the shy girl or the boy with "anger issues".  You don't make judgements, you just see a friend.

 You laugh often.  You cry often (over some big things, but mainly small), and have to be reminded that it's going to be okay.   Don't worry sister, roll it over to Jesus.

You are forever crafting, wanting to be in the kitchen, drawing pictures, writing a book, or climbing a tree.  Oh yeah, and you're a great big sister.  I can trust you with Caleb if I need to finish a task quickly and that is precious to me.  

God is changing you and growing you each year.  Lean into Him, He has great things in store for you!

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

And without further rambling from me, here is Ella Grace's

9th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Sour Cream & Onion Chips

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Volleyball 

The best show on t.v. is:  Wild Kratts

The coolest person on Earth is:  Carol

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: People in History 

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Dancing & Singing

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  France

My favorite color is: Blue or Turquoise

When I grow up I'm going to be :  Hair Stylist

My favorite song is:  True Colors

The book I am loving right now is:  Matilda

Three words that describe me are:  Dance, Live, Love

When I was little I used to:  Spit -up

My favorite season of the year is:  Spring, because it's the prettiest

The snack I like best is:  Cheeze-Its

The food I really dislike is:  Zucchini

My best friend is:  Lyla

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  That I could climb a really tall tree

My best memory is:  Watching home videos with my family

Addie's 7th Birthday Interview

We're still catching up around here, and since birthday interviews are our favorite thing to look back on, I'd thought that I would get Addie's completed....even though she's almost 7 1/2! 

Addie continues to be passionate (read, moody and difficult).  She has big emotions and big ideas, all wrapped up in a small, curly blonde-haired package. 

Addie loves to sit and be read to, and she's slowly developing a love for reading herself.  If she can, she would choose to be outside.  She's always playing and imagining.  She loves to run, and though she's still so young, it seems God has given her gift for it.

We love this sweet feisty girl.  We can't imagine our family without her!

Adeline's 7th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Breakfast Sausage

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Soccer 

The best show on t.v. is:  Wild Kratts

The coolest person on Earth is:  Daddy

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: History 

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Running!!!

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Arizona

My favorite color is: Pink

When I grow up I'm going to be :  A Mommy That Helps Mommies Give Birth to Babies

My favorite song is:  This is My Father's World

The book I am loving right now is:  The Story of the World

Three words that describe me are:  Loves Soccer So Much

When I was little I used to:  Cry

My favorite season of the year is:  Fall, because it has so pretty leaves

The snack I like best is:  Popcorn

The food I really dislike is:  Corn

My best friend is:  Molly

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  To be a Doctor Right Now

My best memory is:  When I was born (I watched it on a video)

Evelyn's Birthay Interview : age 4

Our dear sweet Evelyn, you are growing up before our very eyes into such a big girl.  Already you are 4 and full of beautiful, spunky personality.

You love babies (and pacifiers) and are always eager to help out in any way.  You make us laugh every day with your quirks, from the popular "Are you joking me?" to the daily licks and hugs that you give.  You love to belt out worship music when you go to the bathroom, whether at home or in public, and we can hardly go out without someone commenting on curly blonde hair.  You are quite the story teller-which sometimes get you into trouble.  

You love keeping up with your big brother and especially playing house with your two sisters.

I can't imagine our little family without you in it.  

God has a great plan for you, and we're so glad that we get to witness the journey.  

We love you!

 The kids and I love to look back on their birthday interviews.  So, even though it's a couple of months late, here's Evelyn's 

4-year Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Mac & Cheese

My favorite sport to play is:  Soccer

The best show on t.v. is:  Clifford (side note: I think she's seen Clifford one time)

The coolest person on Earth is:  an Astronaut

My favorite thing to learn about is:  Jesus

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Hug People

If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Arizona

My favorite color is:  Orange and Yellow

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Princess or a Momma

My favorite song is:  Away in a Manger

The book I am loving right now is:  Christmas in the Manger

Three words that describe me are:  Away in a Manger, Papa, and You (pointing to me)

When I was little I used to:  Eat some gummy worms

My favorite season of the year is:  Snow

The snack I like best is:  Popcorn

The food I really dislike is:  Salad

My best friend is:  Olivia and Lisa


If I had one wish, it would be:  Puppy

My best memory is: Sucking on sippy cups, bottles and pacies

Ella's Interview: age 8.

Whoa, so it's been a while since I've blogged anything-and life keeps racing forward.  Since there are a few major things going on (baby growing, home renovating, sports, birthdays, on and on and on...), I'm going to try to catch up-we'll see how it goes!  

Ella's birthday was over three months ago, but I still haven't posted her birthday interview.

 

So, here's an interview with Ella, age 8:

My favorite food is:  Pasta
My favorite sport to play is:  It's hard to choose between soccer and basketball
The best show on t.v. is:  Martha Speaks
The coolest person on Earth is:  My brother, Nathan 
My favorite thing to learn about in school is:  Math
The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Draw on my Boogie Board
If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Visit the queen of England
My favorite color is:  Blue
When I grow up I'm going to be :  A Photographer 
My favorite song is:  Where Your Treasure Is (song of verses Matthew 6:19-21)
The book I am loving right now is:  Ramona Quimby, age 8
Three words that describe me are:  Nice, Artistic, & Frustrated
When I was little I used to:  Play Outside
My favorite season of the year is:  Fall, because there's not a lot of bugs and it's warm and cool
The snack I like best is:  Granola Bars
The food I really dislike is:  Squash and zucchini
My best friend is:  Lyla and Kjersten
If I had one wish, it would be:  To see my grandpas and grandmas that have died
My best memory is: My 6th birthday because I had a Frozen birthday party with my favorite colors and jewels on my cake.

Adeline Marie, age 6.

Dear Addie,

You are such a blessing.  After being our mellow,easy going baby, you grew to be our spunky little fire cracker.   You are our wild card, refusing to conform to anyone's standards.  You drink life's cup to the full, expressing every emotion-joy, anger, sadness, fear-passionately.  You are slowly, slowly gaining self-control. ;)

You love to draw, paint, go for bike rides, run, and sing songs.  Lately we've enjoyed listening to hymns of praise that you make up while in bed.

You also humble us most every day.  If we ever thought we knew anything about parenting, God gave us you to keep us always searching and seeking His wisdom!

 You are perfectly sandwiched between Ella and Evelyn.  You are a dear friend to them both and a protective big sister.

We love you beautiful Adeline Marie! 

God is continually working in your heart, and we are so privileged to get to be a part of this great adventure!

With Adeline turning 6, I did our annual birthday interview.  It was fun to look back at the previous year's and see how her answers changed (or in some cases didn't).  This year's theme in her answers seemed to be love for Daddy.  

My favorite food is:  hot dogs
My favorite sport to play is:  soccer
The best show on t.v. is:  Wild Kratts
The coolest person on Earth is:  Daddy
My favorite thing to learn about in school is:  our bodies
The thing I do the most awesomely is:  climbing the ladder
If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Colorado
My favorite color is:  pink
When I grow up I'm going to be :  a mom, just doing nothing
My favorite song is:  This is My Father's World
The book I am loving right now is:  The Bible
Three words that describe me are:  Love my dad
When I was little I used to:  take off my shirt and dance in the background of my brother
My favorite season of the year is:  October
The snack I like best is:  Veggie Straws
The food I really dislike is:  zucchini and squash
My best friend is: Molly
If I had one wish, it would be:  my Daddy holding 100 pounds
My best memory is:  At four years old having flower blankie, Love-A-Bear, and Swim baby and sitting on Daddy's lap at Papa's house.

 Thanks, Fall baby!

7.

We've had almost two weeks to get used to it, but Ella Grace is seven years old!

 It seems like just yesterday she looked like the first photo...sigh.

It's amazing how Ella has transformed from our dark-haired, blue-eyed, chubby baby girl, to our dusty blonde, hazel-eyed slender young lady.

I love Ella's heart and her sensitivity.  

She is definitely our peace-maker.  Sandwiched in between Nathan and Adeline, she may not have had much choice. She can't stand it when others are hurting or upset...often to a fault.  Many a time has she given up a toy or something she wanted in order to prevent someone else from crying.  Ironically, though she dislikes crying, she is usually the first to shed tears when  things don't go as planned.

Ella loves all things girly.  She loves to dress up and accessorize, and if it were up to her there would be fresh cut flowers in the house all the time (okay, who wouldn't love this?!)

Ella excels at math and is great with numbers.  Reading requires more effort, but she has improved greatly and is becoming much more confident.  Ella would love to do art all day long, and has completed many "self-guided" projects.

I wanted to interview Ella on her 7th birthday (ish) to record all her faves and ambitions.  Here is a bit of Ella, as told by Ella.

My favorite food is:  mac and cheese 
My favorite sport to play is:  basketball
The best show on t.v. is:  Big Hero 6 
The coolest person on Earth is:  the President
My favorite thing to learn about in school is:  the Pilgrims
The thing I do the most awesomely is:  play with my Legos
If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  England 
My favorite color is:  Blue
When I grow up I'm going to be :  a crossing guard
My favorite song is:  Let's Do the Countdown (apparently from some library movie I missed out on)
The book I am loving right now is:  Fancy Nancy 
Three words that describe me are:  "I like to read", "I like to color", "I like to sing" 
When I was little I used to:  chew on stuff
My favorite season of the year is:  Winter because it's Christmas and my birthday
The snack I like best is:  Munchies (chip mix)
The food I really dislike is:  squash and zucchini
My best friend is:  Lyla
If I had one wish, it would be: to have a dog
My best memory is:  when I had my baby sister

We pray that God will continue to grow her sweet caring spirit.  We pray she may grow in selfless love and have a deep love for God's people and the injustices in this world.  We also pray that God would give her wisdom and teach her to guard her heart.

We love you sweet Ella Grace.  We are so thankful to God to have you as part of our family, and we consider it a great privilege and honor to be your parents.  May God bless you and call you to Himself as you continue to grow in wisdom and stature.