Savannah Banana

"You don't have enough fingers!" Madison yells in the morning, as she's just realized Savannah's 11 years of life can no longer be counted on her fingers. I often have these moments when I can't believe how old my children are getting. I have this constant determination to slow down the process but they keep growing anyway.

Savannah is different though. As she gets older I find that I am excited for the years to come. I am in no way wishing away her childhood but I do look to the future years with a grin on my face. I am not ignorant of the trials teenagers bring but I am also beginning the years when I get to watch my little girl grow into a woman. I look forward to the discussions we can have and to become friends with the child I have watched grow from infancy to child; from child to young adult. She has a fun personality, a perpetual need for crushing on boys, and a deep wise understanding of what is right and what is wrong; from these qualities I gather we will have fun times ahead as well as trying times, but through it all I believe my love for this child will deepen beyond what I thought possible.

I am ready. I am ready for the challenges, the growth , the fights and the proud mommy moments as I watch her grow into an awesome young woman. A woman I hope with virtue, faith and a strong determination to be the best she can be. I love you Savannah. I love you for so many reasons but I love you for your heart, your compassion for others and your strong testimony in what you believe. Happy Birthday my dear sweet daughter!

P.S. She got a rat for her birthday. And believe it or not, it is a cute little thing!

One of the highlights of the day for me was the witness that came that my daughters do truly care for one another. Lately as Savannah grows up and matures they have temporarily drifted apart and the result being lots of fights and feelings being hurt. But Madison unselfishly took money from her own money jar (unbeknowngst to me) and went to the school library scholastic fair and bought Savannah a book that she knew Savannah at one time had requested. Later she came home and wrapped it up and completely surprised not only Savannah with it but her parents as well.

Here is Savannah receiving the gift

And the hug that accompanied it!

The cake that some little 3 year old girl scrapped the frosting off of while the rest of the family members were watching Savannah's birthday movie.

Happy Birthday my sweet sweet Savannah!

Halloween Stuff

So now that Thanksgiving is approaching I decided to post Halloween stuff before it became awkwardly late. Halloween this year was quite different, aside from the fact it was on a Sunday and we decided that in order to observe the Sabbath Day we weren't going to trick or treat on that day; it also came and went before I had time to plan. On friday we had our church's trunk or treat and unfortunately I had the flu. It was solely up to Harvey to put costumes together and come up with something creative for himself, which consisted of a wig. Saturday I was feeling better so we jetted over to our friends house where they annually have a hayride around the neighborhood and do some trick or treating. Harvey painfully watched the kids gain more candy and tried to endure 2 hours of the cold and monotonous doorbell ringing, while I hung out with my friend in her wonderfully warm house and used Emma as the excuse to do so. Awesome! Thanks Emmy!

Although I was unable to get pictures of the kids in their costumes we did get some of the pumpkin carving festivities.

We've got Sav's attempts and concentration

We've got Madison patient look or is that a bit if impatience I detect? As she waits for a knife.

We've captured Harvey's intensity when it comes to pumpkin carvin'.

The fun goopy gloppy mess.

Our dear friends the Wolf's came over to participate in the goopy fun

And Carson did more mess making than actually carving or gutting, but at least he participated boy style!

Where's Rylie? She's too much of a diva to subject herself to the mess that pumpkin carving entails and she opted to sit in the next room and continue her dancing and singing and make believing.

Just some pics...

I was having fun with the camera tonight and thought I would share my beauties! Although I do have a disclaimer; Harvey took the one of Madison...talented man he is!

My Beautiful Savannah is turning 11 this month. I can't believe how mature she is starting to look. If I could slow things down I would, although the prospects of having a full time babysitter in the house are quite appealing!

My Sweet Bear, does she ever take a bad picture? Always camera ready. I love this little ball of personality.

My Beautiful Maddie. Every time I see a picture of her my heart flutters. She's my tender but driven little girl.

Oh my boy! This little man is spoiled and loved by every female in our house. I could have put a few pictures of him smiling his precious little smile but I chose the goofy one, why?...Because I can't get over those beautiful eyes!

My Turn!

I was really getting into all the kids running these races I thought I would run one myself. I took nearly the whole summer off and got a bit lazy so I had to put in some miles the last two weeks before the race in order to do well. I love the competition of the races, (not that I will ever win a medal) but I love doing my very best and trying to beat my P.R. So I ran a simple 5k on a beautiful trail in a park. It was a women's only race, which really put Harvey on a soap box a few times...(they could never hold a men's only race, all the women would be in an uproar!) I told him to show up wearing a bra and maybe they would let him in.

I was so happy to not only have my own children cheering me on but our dear friends the Mannings showed up to lend their voices and cheer for me as well. I did well for my first race back in over a year with a time of 24:33, but one day I will beat my P.R!