eight is great

Marlee is 8 years old!

The most common birthday breakfast request in this home is crepes. She wanted to pour from the purple cream cow this year.

Sydney is pretty curious about this pink ball.

Sadly, it’s a rare occasion to have breakfast all together on a school day. We sort of eat in shifts around here.

For our kids 8th birthday they get a nice set of scriptures.

Sydney is working hard to get those berries.

We love crepes and apparently Superman has a purple cow for transportation.

It’s like  a snow globe for this girls birthday.

Leaving Zumba today, thank heavens it’s indoors. Sydney’s car seat is getting dusted with snow and my new tennis shoes are squeaky wet.

The view from the truck, church parking lot.

Across the street from the church, where I do Zumba is the boys Junior High School.

Laun took Carter with him to a dairy, this boy was so happy, especially since he doesn’t get out a ton with the snow and being in a body cast.

Marlee’s birthday lunch with dad, one of the kids favorite traditions. This girl is like me, she loves salads. Lucky for me, Marlee didn’t finish it, so it came home to me.

Carter wants the balloon, but Sydney is interested in something else blue, brother’s body cast.

Tonight we went to dinner and the BYU basketball game with Dave and Jen. And surprisingly, Laun got a job offer. I guess we have some stuff to think about. Laun has gotten several job offers since we’ve been in Utah. I guess all that schooling paid off, plus, he’s awesome.

The kids had pizza for dinner (Marlee’s choice) and then when we got home from the game, we ate cake. I made the cake and Marlee decorated it. I love how creative she is.

8 Things I love about Marlee:

1. She is sensitive and kind. She’d cry about a sad movie or help someone up when they fall in a soccer game, even if they’re on the opposing team.

2. She’s a creator. She loves making art and cares about details.

3. She’s can often be found singing or dancing in her room to her new radio/alarm clock.

4. She is an amazing big sister and does so much for her siblings.

5. She’s forgiving of me and all the mistakes I make as a mom. I’ve learned a lot from her.

6. She’s become independent. She isn’t afraid to do a school project by herself, talk to someone new or try something different.

7. She enjoys what she has. She earned a kindle awhile back and loves trying new apps. She likes swinging on her swing out back that Laun made for her. She is easy to please and doesn’t need a bunch of toys to stay happy.

8. She’s healed my soul and heart. She is not only our first baby we had after we lost Cooper, she’s our first girl. She gave me hope, light and happiness where there was sadness. She lights up our world and we are blessed she is ours…from the moment her daddy gave her, her first bath and pink was introduced to our laundry, till this very day…she is a ray of sunshine in our home!

We love you Marlee Cate!