Jillian is a SIX year old!

Six years ago today at 6:30 AM, God gave us the gift of Jillian.  I love birthdays; it is a wonderful time to celebrate and give thanks God for the gift of life!  Already, it has been a great start to a fun-filled day.

We started out the day with our traditional Krispy Kreme donuts, then played a little with Jillian's new gifts, then Faith, Anna, and I took Jillian to school.   Brad will join her for lunch today at 11:30 AM, then at 2:30 PM, our teacher invited our whole family to come celebrate with her at a class party....  and then there will be a couple more SURPRISES to come! :-)

I always bring family gifts to Krispy Kreme, but this year, I let Jillian open up her cards and presents from most of the extended family when they came in the mail. Jillian is super excited to get to do some shopping and pick out some special gifts. She received birthday money from Grammie and Grandad, Great Mimi and Grandad, and Great Grandma and Papa. Also, Aunt Beth and Uncle Nate sent an adorable outfit and a Bible game. :-)

Faith and Jillian ready for donuts.

Jillian with her princess gift bag from Mimi and PawPaw.

Jillian was super excited about her new dolls Repunzel and Flynn Rider from Mimi and PawPaw!

I love her expression in this photo.

She also got a beautiful Tangled pajamas "dress"! 

She is a Birthday Princess!  Jillian was excited about all the fun rings, bracelets and stickers she can make with her card.

Mommy and Daddy gave her a new sticker book, a princess harmonica, a movie, and bubble gum. Jillian has wanted to have bubble gum for years now and we told her when she turned six, she could have some! We bought her a pack of Bubblicious bubble gum with three different flavors; she decided to try the strawberry flavor but didn't like it at all! :-) 

Jillian with her two new Tangled dolls! 

Hooray for my little girl's 6th BIRTHDAY!  We love you Jillian! 

Easy as Pie & Anna's Crush

The Friday of the first week of school, our friends Lindsey and Brian and their three kids came over to hang out with us.  Originally, Brad and Brian had planned for just the two of them to go out for some "male bonding time". :-) But then Lindsey suggested that while the boys were hanging-out at Starbucks, it would be fun if she and the kids could hang out with the girls and me at the same time! It was perfect. Our plan quickly evolved into all of us having dinner together and then the boys going out.  But our sweet friends didn't want to make it too "difficult" on us and so they offered to bring dinner along with them.  It was awesome for me! We had a couple of delicious pizzas from Harris Teeter, and a salad for dinner. Then I provided the home-made Apple Lattice Pie for dessert with ice-cream. It was easy as pie and a super enjoyable time too! :-)


Anna was laughing uncontrollably moments before, but of course, as soon the camera was turned on, she slowed down the giggles!  But you can still see how very much fun she was having with her friend Mr. Brian.
Brian immediately won Anna's heart by sharing some of his apple lattice pie and ice-cream with her. She was a most appreciative 17 month old! 

11 month old Bennett couldn't be left out either, and he was indulged with a little taste too.

Anna running to Mr. Brian with her arms wide open!

Anna getting tickles on her tummy!

Playing a little chase....

And getting "tackled" with lots of tickles!!!

Anna loved every minute of it.
The fun didn't end here. The next day Lindsey and I took the older girls to go see the movie Winnie-the-Pooh a the theatre and then that evening we had chicken kabobs for dinner with them, Linda, Gavin and their kids at their house. It was a fun-filled weekend.

Apple Lattice Pie

Michelle asked me a month ago what I wanted some of our next baking projects to be and one of the things I requested was to learn how to make a lattice pie!  :-)  Here are a couple from pictures from our successful baking project:

Both Michelle and I made our own apple lattice pie (with shredded apples) and I thought my pie turned out beautifully!  I was so proud!!! :-)

As always, Faith enjoyed her time with her beloved Lindsey! :-)

Meeting Lucy

The long awaited time came for us to meet our friends the Glenn's baby girl the same night we went to Nando's. We had the stomach bug the day precious Lucy was born at Shady Grove, so unfortunately we had a "long" wait before we got to meet her. She is a super cuddly baby and looks just like her big sister Madeline.   We are so happy for the Glenn family and are thankful we are getting to share in the joy of this season with them!


There is nothing more peaceful than holding a beautiful new born baby girl while she is sleeping.  Jillian just let this time with little Lucy soak in. 

I bought little Lucy a couple of winter outfits!! I can not wait to see them on her. :-)

Anna was mesmerized by little Lucy too.

Naomi gave Anna some special attention and they played peek-a-boo together! :-) So sweet!

Lucy with her mommy, Naomi.

Faith has been talking about Lucy all the time since she was born and has even given one of her baby dolls the new name Lucy.  We love you Lucy! 

The beautiful Glenn family saying their good-byes to us at the porch of their new home. 

Nando's

One of my favorite friends from MOPS is a gifted deal seeker (she even has her own blog that follows deals http://www.ilovethatdeal.com)!  Every week she gives me Sunday paper inserts, so I can have multiple coupons; she also personally e-mails when she hears of something extra great going on.  Well, a couple of months ago Hillary e-mailed me to tell me about a Nando's grand-opening at the Washingtonian Rio.  I immediately made a reservation for the Tuesday after Jillian started school, so we could celebrate her being in Kindergarten as a family at a fun, new restaurant!

Our experience far surpassed anything I could possibly have hoped for! The hostesses, servers, managers, and even directors were so gracious and hospitable! They told us to order absolutely ANYTHING we wanted off the menu; they encouraged us to try the appetizers, desserts, drinks and of course we took their advice! It all was delicious and we had such a super time going out to eat for FREE at Nando's!


Faith enjoying her Mott's apple juice from the children's menu. 

Anna enjoyed her Naan bread with hummus and her whole milk.

Jillian took this great picture of Brad and me and my Coke Zero Raspberry ( I didn't even know that flavor existed!). 

I thought the atmosphere at Nando's was really nice!

Wordless Wednesday

1st Day of School- Part 2

Jillian had a loaded back pack with all the requested school supplies for Kindergarten, her lunchbox and her snackbox and reusable water bottles for both! 

Brad read a Proverb to Jillian before school and said a prayer with her too. Brad and/or I have done it every school day and it means a lot to Jillian. Together, we talk a lot about the treasures of wisdom and discernment and being obedient to the Lord and our parents. 

Brad talking and getting to know some of our nice neighbors.

A little boy's dad (who is in Jillian's class) took this photo of our family together.

So proud of my Jillian...it can be scary to do new things, but she looked at it as adventure! 

Jillian at the bus-stop waiting for the bus.

Faith quickly ran over to Jillian to give her a big kiss good-bye! 

Jillian was so excited to get on the bus! 

Bye Jillian!!!

7 Hours Later: Jillian came HOME!!! 

I loved seeing her big smile as she came down the steps of the bus! 

Jillian immediately wanted some cuddle time with her baby sister, Anna! 

Then that night, we continued the theme of smiley faces for a happy day with smiley face french fries, chicken nuggets, and green beans.

1st Day of School- Part 1

Smiley Face Pancakes- Our new tradition for the 1st Day of School

All ready for Jillian's 1st Day Morning Celebration!

Jillian and Faith enjoying their pancake breakfast together.

Jillian's cards and letters from her mommy, daddy, and both sets of grandparents!  Also, Jillian's Schultuete School Cone, which is a German tradition for the 1st Day of school. My mom was a "military brat" (a child of someone who serves in our military) and was born in Germany; she also lived there as a teen. She absolutely loved the people, culture, and traditions and I really enjoy adopting some of their traditions in memory of her.

 
I did not plan on reading my note to Jillian that morning, so it was a little emotional for me.
Mommy's Note:
My Dearest Jillian,
I cannot believe that tomorrow my baby will be starting Kindergarten! You and I have been nearly inseparable for the last six years (and longer still, if you include the time you were in my tummy!). You are a precious girl and I delight in you being my daughter. I love our conversations. You are inquisitive, sensitive, and thoughtful and I know you are going to be an excellent student. :-) I know you will work hard learning new things, be honest and full on integrity. I pray for the friends you make and the LIGHT that you will be to those around you.  School will hold so many new adventures for you and I am excited for you! I love you so much sweetheart.  You are one of God's most amazing gifts to your mommy and every day I praise Him for you!
Your Mommy Always 

Daddy's Note:
Jillian,
      I am so proud of you. I still remember when you were just a baby in my arms.  I loved you then, and now, and now will forevermore, without reservation, hesitation, or condition.
     Today is your first day of Kindergarten.  I know you will do awesome and have a great time. We have been praying for this day for some time and I believe God will have His eye on you throughout the year. Trust Him! Do hard things! Lean not on your understanding. Show the love of Christ to all you meet. Remember who made and showed His great love for you. Remember my love for you.
Love, 
Your Daddy.

School Cone Opening Time

he Jillian received a card game, a new bouncee ball, M&M's, some Pixie Sticks, Haribo Gummi Bears (from Germany too!), and a subtraction table!