Party Like You're 2 Years Old!

We had a wonderful weekend-long celebration for Madeline's second birthday. Our festivities only included the four of us, but we had a whole lot of fun!!! Thursday was Madeline's actual birthday, so we met Daddy for lunch at Chick-fil-A, opened presents, played, had a pizza dinner, and ate cake. On Friday, we had the girls dress up and we took them to downtown Raleigh for dinner and Madeline's big gift from Mommy and Daddy. When Hannah was two we took her to Disney World, which was a very special time for just the three of us. So, we wanted to do something fun and memorable as a family for Madeline as well. For our gift to Madeline, we surprised the girls by taking them to see Dora Live-- and we had SOOOO much fun. Not only were the girls completely surprised (Hannah couldn't stop laughing and shaking with excitement), overwhelmed, and totally into it, but it was a great show. I have to admit that I was pretty pumped up-- especially when Diego showed up unexpectedly. Can't beat a 2 for 1! All in all, we're pretty sure they had a great time-- they talked nonstop during the 45 minute drive home, and Madeline has not stopped singing (for four days now), "Dowa, Dowa, Dowa, the extowa . . . gwab your backpack, wets go, vomos!"

As I reflected on the last two years, I was overwhelmed by God's grace in the gift of Madeline. She is a joy and a delight--loving, caring, tender, sweet, goofy, and quick witted. We have been truly blessed by His choosing us to raise two incredible little girls. I consider myself entirely unworthy. As an imperfect mommy I clumsily lead us through each day, botching things up all along the way. Then our perfect Heavenly Father, in His sovereign and sufficent grace, makes something beautiful of the mess I made. God is good!