Our Brave Lauren!

You should have been there! Lauren was the only student brave enough to sing on her own. We are so proud of her. Look at Daddy's teary eyes and Lauren just soaking him up! : )

Lauren's Latest Adventure

Lauren is our animal lover~ she loves to read, research, meet, help, and do anything that involves animals. This past weekend, she started her Horsemanship class. She will attend a two weekend program (6 hrs) of training with a horse.


She learned basic horse safety and grooming on Saturday with "Jack".












She was assigned a horse for the remainder of the course, her name is Athena. She is beautiful and gentle.











On Sunday, she mastered grooming, then learned to tack (English saddle) and lead her horse.












WE are loving it! I could really get into this.... : )

Lauren's TOP 7 Birthday Favorites

Lauren's 7 favorite birthday happenings...

1. Webkins


2. Ears pierced


3. Shopping for bday party supplies


4. Friends


5. Playing at her party


6. Making cupcakes for the party


7. Presents

Lauren's 7th Birthday Party (part 2)

Happy 7th Birthday Lauren! (part 1)

My first born turned 7 today- where has the time gone? I love this kid- she is full of life, love, she is deep, and complex. Lauren has a sweet and tender heart and cares for others- she is the best of us. : ) We are blessed! October 8, 2008- She is 7 years old! Wow!

Today was ALL About LaUReN & the rest of us were along for the FUN!

Lauren's day started with our family birthday tradition- I hang streamers, make signs and have balloons throughout the house so when the girls wake- they see we have already started celebrating them! I didn't think it meant much- but, they have shown me different the last couple years. :)

We met up with Lauren's favorite school friends for a small celebration- we saw "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" then headed to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch and games.

I thought with all the activity, I was sure to get my girls for a nap- but, not today... they rested, but no sleep. I could have used a nap myself- I am not used to running crazy. It's been a busy week. Lauren is on fall break, we have had full days.

We picked up Lauren's newest thing...

Question:
What do you get when both of your parents (before Lasik) were nearsighted....

Answer:

Glasses! Yes, she is nearsighted- needs them for distance work 20/100. Isn't she cute! :)

Next stop, Nanny & Papa's to leave Brooke & Kate for a quick visit so we can do our next adventure and rite of passage.

Papa & Nanny with the girls (plus Wyatt)

Pierced ears- that is a rite of passage, isn't it? : )

This was Lauren's #1 Birthday wish... pierced ears. She even suggested foregoing a party if she couldn't do both.

She brought her special friend "Soft Bear" who also turned 7 today to comfort. She was so brave, no tears- just sweaty palms. She did great!

Look at those pretty ears.

We have major birthday festivities planned for Friday night. "Lauren's Fashion Ridge Mall"- where we will transform the house into her favorite places to visit. We will share details and pictures then.

Happy Birthday Lauren! We love you and are so proud of the sweet girl you are, the choices you are making, and your love for God and people. You make my heart happy! I love you so much.

My Toothless Wonder

If we are close- you have probably heard me talk about how Lauren amazes me. It starts with her sweet, sensitive, loving heart - she has a concern for people, their feelings, health, needs... and she loves Jesus and wants to make sure everybody knows about him. Both, often pull me from my quiet, safe comfort zone. She's a deep, thorough thinker like her Daddy and tends to push limits, question, and voice her concerns. Her free side is creative, artsy- and loves to perform on her private stage(bed) in her room. She has creative ideas, a strong sense of right and wrong and BIG emotions to wrap it all up.

That said, I am usually either on my toes or my knees :)

I feel like I have a good handle on knowing my girls- their personalities, love languages, strengths, struggles. And this summer I wanted to be intentional about learning their heart- "where is she coming from- when she does/ says this" I also wanted to work on our life skills- aka character qualities of Christ... using self-control, forgiving, loving, team players, being respectful, truthful- it's an ongoing lesson- for me too. As Mommy, I am called to be a daily example of Gods love, grace and mercy to them- I am still learning!! The lessons & reflection has been insightful and encouraging in my own life.

I started this post with this thought in mind- Lauren amazes and inspires me at how she faces her day. I drop her off at the curb inside her school parking lot- she says "bye mom", flashes me our "I love you" sign and tilts her head with a smile and walks into school. Normal- for you maybe- but not for me. As a kid, I rarly felt prepared for what was ahead- Now, I sometimes feel the same- but I am reminded and assured in God- his grace is sufficient and his mercy is new every morning. 2 Corinthians 12:9, Lamentations 3:22-23

...and as Lauren would say (in her favor, at the most opportune times) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil 4:13

My First Born

Lauren loves to be creative- she is into arts & crafts- and any hands on project. She also uses the computer; Webkins for fun and other learning websites. She has a huge imagination and will play pretend and re-enact things: grocery store, DR, pedicure, Teacher with papers. She enjoys crafts, play dough, helping, cooking and LOTS of your own life stories. She is a great help and loves to be incorporated into what your doing. She is a tenderhearted, program oriented girl with BIG emotions. She loves positive reinforcement and attention for making good choices and doing what she knows is right.

There is so much more to her- this is just a small start...