shawnie is 12

I can't believe my baby is 12! She had a fabulous birthday and is now officially a beehive in the Young Women's program. She is adjusting well, the girls are finally (after 10 years in the ward!) learning to love her and appreciate her sense of humor and her incredible inner strength. She has some pretty amazing leaders (myself included, hee hee - I was released from the R.S. Presidency and put in as a Beehive advisor to make the transition easier) and we've had some pretty "WOW" experiences already. It's going to be an exciting ride, that's for sure!
I know I'm pretty late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetness! I can't ever imagine life without you!

happy 14th, Sari!

OK, so I'm a little late with this one, about a month and a half to be exact... But on April 20, 2010 our Sari turned freaking out fourteen! (Sometimes it's me freaking out about it, sometimes it's her freaking out because of it...) I think we're going to make it, though. She is an incredible kid, and even though it seems sometimes like she likes and appreciates us less every day, I can't help but see the most wonderful characteristics in her! I still feel forever strong that she is going places in this world. She is smart and funny and outgoing and she knows what is important. She is not afraid to be different and she does what she knows is right. She is compassionate and talkative and (usually) easy to be around. I love to talk with her and hang out with her and borrow clothes from her... I am grateful that she is our first child, she is as patient with us learning to be parents on her as we are with her learning to be a teenager.
I love you Sari! You will always be my special gal.

P.S. Being the braniac that she is, she figured out how to put captions on the photos. Did I mention she's amazing?

happy 11th birthday Shawnie!

I've finally gotten around to Shawnie's 10th year celebration. It made me tired just watching it! I can't believe everything that this kid fits into her little life. She truly is an angel and we feel so blessed to have her in our family. My favorite memory of her year is definitely MDA summer camp. We had an incredible bonding experience there. Notice also her birthday party at the end...SO atypical of me, we went ice-skating, the rink provided the decorations, the cake, the party favors, we just showed up. When it was over, we walked away. It was fabulous and just as great a memory for her as the parties and cakes that have taken hours to prepare and clean up.

I love you tons, Shawnie. Thanks for the strength that you add to our family. It is so fun to see you grow up and have such a love of life. Your happy heart and precious giggles help us remember to laugh even when things get tough. Your little testimony is getting stronger every day and I get so excited when you see the Lord's hand in your life. Always remember that He is there for you, and we are too!

Happy Birthday Angel!

Sari is 13!

This is my belated Happy Birthday to Sari. What fun it's been to look back through the year and remember all of the wonderful memories that she's made for us. My favorite of them all is the photo of her with the pan of brownies that she made one day while I was out visiting. There was this cool recipe on the box for "Grandstand Brownies" or something, with popcorn and peanuts on top. Well, she thought it would be fun to try, and she followed the recipe precisely except for one small thing: she thought it called for "unpopped" popcorn instead of "popped" popcorn... She kept watching in the door of the oven waiting for the kernels to pop. They never did and they were the best break-your-teeth brownies we've ever had! We were spitting kernels all over the place! It was one of those laugh until you cry moments that keeps life happy. I sure do love you, sis, you are such an important part of our family.