1,2 Skip a Few

Isn't that what happened? 

We jumped from 2 straight to 7. 

I fear the next jump will land us at 18 and it's almost too much for my heart to handle. 

 It wasn't a "party" year for Emma, but we made our own fun! The Fruitland pumpkin patch (with cousin Isaiah and G&Gs) and a Wii tournament after dinner and cake.

 Emma and her Gma Sue, isn't she a young Grandma??

 They look more and more like twins to me. The girls now wear the same size clothing. They are inseparable.  

 Happy Birthday Emma love! Emma is my right hand at home. She notices things far beyond her age, she senses when I need help and pitches in without being asked. I plan on never letting her leave home. 

 Emma would like to be a paleontologist, a nurse or a mom. She hasn't decided yet. ;) She loves to read and has read almost every book we own that is at her level. I had to catch her before she started in on "When the Belly Button Pops, The Baby is Done" last night as I watched her march up the stairs toward her room with it! (pregnancy book) Boy wouldn't THAT have brought up some fun birthday conversations!!

 The kids were so giggly during the hay ride. (Their cousin Isaiah is sitting between, he's 3)

 Liam the studly little man. He loved the hay.

 ...and handing the hay to momma, one piece at a time.

 The chocolate cake recipe was a keeper. I will probably use it again for Liam's cake coming up in 2 weeks! 

I am blessed to have had 7 years with Emma. She is unlike any other kid I know, and most of our conversations are like something I would have with an old, dear friend. If you've ever laughed at the phrase "she's like an old dear soul", well I happen to have one in my 7 year old. 

How many kids do YOU know who ask you on the way to the grocery store:

"Mom, did you remember the coupons for cereal this week? I saw they were a good price." 

or

"If something were to happen to you and Dad, you don't have to worry mom, I would take care of Liam and Livy till Grandma and Grandpa came to get us. But I'd be awful sad....where do you keep the keys to the van?"

or

"What if my voice makes the angels sound bad when I'm singing in Heaven?"

She's still going through the same scrapes of life everyone does, and her passion can translate into heavily emotional or maybe even a little "over the top" to some, and our path is not always perfectly smooth. But I wouldn't change it for anything, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord has a special purpose for her life, and I am challenged, humbled and blessed to be her mom.