One week ago, my sweet Lily turned four years old. I cannot believe it has been four years since I first met my little girl. I am so grateful to have a happy, healthy, and growing four year old. But it all seems to be going too fast!!


Lily, you are such a joy to this family. I love your little personality. You say the funniest and most clever things. You have the best laugh. I love your tender heart and sweet, sweet spirit. You are such a sensitive and compassionate child. I know God will use that in great ways. I love the way you love your sister. You have more patience with that cute little stinker than any four year old should. I love that your favorite color is yellow. It's not pink (although you do like pink), but it's yellow that is your "very most favorite." I love how you get excited over the smallest things. You show such sweet gratitude over any size gift. I love that after two and half years, you STILL love lions. I'm pretty sure this holds a record for childhood fascinations. You "growl" at us daily. I love that you can put on your Snow White dress and go play in the mud. It doesn't bother you a bit. I love that you have decided beetle bugs are nice and worthy of love. You stroke their backs like you would a dog. I do not love it when you ask me to do the same. I love your fondness for running. I have a hard time keeping up with you. This obviously came from your daddy. I love the way you model every outfit for your daddy. You always expect him to rave on how beautiful you look. He always does. I love your big, beautiful brown eyes. They are so full of expression. Everywhere we go, someone compliments you on them. I think it's because they are so full of life. I love watching you grow, play, and learn. These past four years have been the best of my life. You are an amazing little girl, and I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy. Happy Birthday, my precious Lily-bean!



The day after my Lily turned four, another friend of mine celebrated her birthday. I have to take a minute to love on my friend, Hollie. Two years ago, we were looking for a church home. It was not a very fun process. At the same time, I was praying that God would send some friends that were in the same place in life that I was...staying home, raising a family. He led us to a church we love where I met Hollie the first Sunday. She was back in the nursery with her ridiculously cute little boy, and I was back there rocking my cute (but screaming) little Evie. We hit it off, and a year and half later, I am so grateful to call her one of my closest friends. I think we spent the majority of that first morning talking about our hypochondriac tendencies. We're both a little "crazy", and it was so nice to finally have a friend who relates but can keep me in check. "No, Corrie, you do not have malaria. But do you think I might have lupus?" Yes, we're ridiculous. Anyway, Hollie is just the best. She is the most giving, serving person I know. She would give you the shirt off her back. She is the kind of friend that comes early to a party to help you set up and then stays long after everyone leaves to help mop your floor. She watches the girls for me sometimes, and I think everytime I've come home, she has cleaned a room in my house. She's organized my fridge, the girls' room, the toy room, cleaned my floors, my kitchen...and we're working on my laundry room now. She's amazing. But if she never did any of that, she still would be just as great. She is such a good listener, gives good advice, and we have a blast together. I know we will be friends for life. She's also an awesome work-out buddy...when I show up:) I am so thankful God answered my prayers in Hollie. Happy Birthday to my gorgeous, faithful, and fun friend! And also the future mother-in-law to Evie pea-pod:)! I sure love you!


* I would like to say that we have been slacking in the blogging. But we have some fun blogs planned. Coming up: my moth story!! But make sure to read Anna's blog tomorrow. It's soooo good! You won't want to miss it!!