june is one

Oh, baby June, you're one already. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway. You are a babe. Good luck to your dad and brothers keeping boys away from you when you're older. I have faith they'll protect you, adore you, love you. It's already so evident. When Daylen looked at these photos, he said, "June is so pretty. She is beautiful." I adore every time Ari comes over and kisses you on your head. In those moments when I see the three of you together, I have flashbacks of my brothers and me. Such sweet moments.

June, my prayer for you is similar to your cousins. I pray for good health and safety, for who you'll become, that you'll be caring and loving. I look forward to continue being a part of your life. I trust God to protect you even when our family can't. But know, we will always fight for you, support you, care for you, love you. Because you must know, your aunt and uncle, our family love you so very much, June.

We always will.

happy birthday, kati

I'm a little behind on things, but for good reasons, we visited Indiana last week and are now in Arizona visiting my grandparents. Last week, this pretty girl turned one. It still warms my heart to remember receiving the phone call telling me she was born and leaving finals to go hold her, such a week of celebration.

Kati is precious. It's crazy to believe she is already a year old, less a baby and more a toddler. She is a sweet girl, and I 'm excited to see her personality develop. It melts your heart to see her brother Moses hug and kiss her. When she ate her cake for her birthday, Moses fed her bite by bite and then would sneak two for himself. I'm glad for her babysitter who sends photos of Kati when she watches them. Thankful for technology that lets you share experiences even with distance. Because I definitely want to keep up with her as she grows. Love you, Kati. 

happy birthday, ari

This kid. Seriously, look at him. He's cute, and funny, and awesome, and last week he turned two.  Since Logan and I've been in Jersey, we tend to mimic the little voices, noises, and faces he makes in our daily conversations. Our recent favorite is his battle cry. Seriously, he makes us laugh. When he smiles, your heart melts over and over again.

He is all boy. Climbing, swiping everything electronic, sneaky. His parents already have a ton of stories to prove this. At the same time, he has a big heart. When he hugs my dad, he wraps his little arms around his neck and rests his head on his shoulder. I love it, such a sweet kid deep down. He is still such a baby to me, but he's growing. Two, already.

I love you, Ari.

haley is five

This girl, sheesh, she's pretty. Today, my niece Haley turns five. As I mentioned on Daylen's birthday, five seems like a big deal to me because I vividly remember my fifth birthday.

She is creative and strong. Seems weird to describe a five year old that way, but she is all girl with her stamps, coloring, and singing then she has this pleasant courage and strength. She can stand up to all her boy cousins that outnumber her. Luckily, this past year she gained two more girl cousins.

Plus, who knows whether she'll have a baby brother or sister next June? Either way, Monica and I both think she'll be pretty motherly to her new sibling. She received an American Girl doll for Christmas, and tomorrow, she's going to the store in Chicago to have tea. I am super jealous.

Happy Birthday, Haley. Your aunt and uncle love you.

daylen turns five

Oh my goodness, how is this little man already five? I can't believe I'm missing his super sweet bowling party on Sunday. He's at an age where he'll know who was and wasn't at his birthday party. I remember everything about my fifth birthday: doll dress cake, barbie kitchen, and my banana seat bike. I should make a cardboard version of myself to be at the party or photoshop myself into photos.

I have so many stories, photos, and videos (such as the one below) of this kid.  I remember when he was born on my soccer sectionals senior year, going to the hospital after the game, and loving that cute button nose. I can't forget when he first started talking and going to East End Douple Dip for ice cream. As soon as we turned off state road 19, he knew exactly what we were headed, and his little voice would say, "Fry fream." We've watched a lot of Thomas the Train and raced cars. I love it when he gets hold of his mom's phone and calls me. She has no idea until she checks her phone later in the day. He loves to talk, and I defend him because everyone said that about me when I was little. Now he's in preschool, and he tells me the letters on my shirt and asks what it spells. Little man growing up.

Happy Birthday, Daylen. I love you.

moses is two

Happy Birthday, Moses. I still remember this day two years ago. It was the first weekend Logan came back to Indiana since he left for seminary. You were cute and little. And now, you're running around doing the pogo dance. I'm sorry I missed your birthday party yesterday. I wonder if your parents had more news such as expecting another sibling like they announced at your party last year.

You're such a happy and kind boy, so loving to your baby sister Kati. You stole everyone's heart at our wedding this summer. Please never stop being cuddly because I love it when I pick you up and you put those big arms around my neck and squeeze.

Don't worry. I didn't forget about your birthday present. I'm working on it. It will be in the mail soon (along with your cousin Alex's... I need to work on sending presents on time, huh?). I love you, Moses.

my boys

These are two of my eight boys (one husband, three brothers, four nephews). Thank heavens for skype. I miss them so much.

nephews & nieces

Some people talk about the weather, but I like to tell stories about my nephews and nieces. Like two days ago, I was holding my youngest niece June. Her brother Daylen walks in, looks at her and says, "June is an angel. She is so beautiful." Precious. These kids bring so much life to my family. I'm thankful much of this summer involved babysitting or hanging out with them. Seriously, I love them so much.