HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIA!!!

Julia turned 2 years old last Friday. Can you believe it?! I can't!! Why does time have to go by so fast?! It seems like just yesterday she was a screaming infant....uhhhh wait a minute, maybe I don't want to venture that far into the past. Poor girl is always going to hear our lovely horror stories of her first year. All joking aside, I am totally and completely in love with my little girl and the last two years have been a God send. Julia is a charming child with a sensitive and loving heart. You can't help but smile when you are around her :)

Friday we woke Julia up with her birthday muffin (fun little tradition of ours). Then we spent the day at Landa Park in New Braunfels. We had a picnic, train ride, and a dizzying play time at the playground. I say dizzy because there were these little tulip shaped seats placed in the ground at just the right angle. Once you sat in them your weight made the seat spin around over and over again. We all gave it a whirl. Delightfully fun for a child. Stomach turning for an adult.

Saturday was Julia's birthday party. Friends and family joined us, as we celebrated at Julia's Art Party. Have I mentioned how much that girl likes to draw, color, and paint?!! I set up all sorts of fun art activities in the backyard. Some of the kids' favorites were the easel, a cardboard coloring house, and painting the fence with water (which turned into "paint the dog with water"!!). Out of all the pictures painted, Julia did most of them herself. Thank you Grammy for the easel!! Julia really seemed to have a marvelous time at her party. Her cake was made to look like a box of crayons. Turned out pretty cute, I think. Those that know me, know that I go to great lengths for my kids' parties. Well worth the effort. I love to plan a party that will be memorable and fun for all. Mission accomplished!! For those that missed out on the party, here is a glimpse at all the fun we had!!

Pictures of Julia's birthday 4/25/08:

Pictures of Julia's birthday party 4/26/08:

And here is my sweet Julia Anne Elizabeth - Birth to Two Years Old!!

Julia,
How my life has changed with the addition of your precious smile and contagious giggle. You are my delight and joy. I am awed every day at what a privilege it is to be chosen by God to be your Mother. I get to brush your soft curls and paint your tiny toenails. I get to sing to you and read to you. I get to hold you close and whisper our special "I Love You"s. I get to walk through life with you and hold your hand. I get to speak God's Truth into your life and hopefully be a tangible example of His Love and Light. My prayer for you is that as you grow you will see the beauty inside you that God created. That you will look to God to be your Faithful Sustainer, your Abba whose Love is unconditional and unending. I may not have the words to eloquently express my love for you, but just know that you are a gift to me and I will cherish the gift I have in you for the rest of my days. I love you Julia, my little sweet pea!
~Mommy