Lauren’s eight!

Thursday Lauren turned eight. The night before, I was telling her stories about when she was born: how she was born at 5:30am. How my mom called at about 8am to make sure we wanted them to come visit (we were already home, since Lauren was delivered at a birthing center by a midwife) – Erik was dead asleep from being up all night, Lauren was crying, our dog Kia was barking, I didn’t know what to do with a newborn, and I said “Yes, PLEASE come!!! As soon as possible!!” How she traveled to Uncle Wil and Aunt Amy’s wedding when she was only one week old. It’s so crazy to me that she’s already eight!

Lauren and her good friend Tara

For Lauren’s birthday, she had her traditional breakfast out with Daddy, then friends over to play in the morning, other friends in the afternoon, and a party in the late afternoon. She’s been looking through a cake decorating book lately, so picked a couple different pictures from it that she wanted on her cake (flowers, writing, hearts, and an American flag in the shape of a star. I know – random.)

Some current things Lauren loves: reading (she’s always carrying around books – reminds me of myself!), horseback riding and soccer, and her friends. I’ve been so impressed by Lauren’s great attitude lately when potentially disappointed. For instance, I told her she could only open the presents from her friends at the party, and would open the others in the evening (because we have so many things compared to most of her friends), and she didn’t even complain about having to wait.

Lauren and her good friend Adonga

I’m so thankful for the last 6 months of being able to be home with the kids – not just to not be working anymore, but also having them home since I’m homeschooling. Not that it’s been all fun and games, but I am thankful for the chance to have this time with the kids, to be living our lives together, and to able to relate things from school to the rest of life (and vice versa.) I feel like Lauren has really been thriving, and it makes me so happy.