Happy Birthday Cadence

Dear Cadence, 

I'm overwhelmed.  

These years are slipping by much to fast and I feel like I'm watching you grow up with the fast forward button permanently depressed.  

Do you have any idea how wonderful you are?

How beautiful?  

How intelligent?

How delightful?

Do you know how happy it makes me to hear you laugh? 

How it breaks my heart to see you cry?  

You were my first big surprise.  I always wanted to be a mother.  I thought I knew what it would be like. 

Then they placed you in my arms.  You didn't cry or fuss.  You just looked at me and this new world around you with your huge blue eyes.  Just taking it all in.  

And I looked at you and I realized that I had no idea.  None at all.  

My love for you was instant.  Almost painful in its intensity and alarmingly vast in its scope.  We were responsible for you now.  Responsible for loving you, shaping you, and guiding you.  

Responsibility was not a new thing for either of your parents, but it was suddenly so much heavier than I have ever known it to be.  You weren't bills, or chores, or obligations.  

You were something much, much more and I was elated and terrified by the new responsibility I held in my arms.  

I want you to know that you have made that responsibility so easy to bear.  

You are naturally kind and good.  

You love so easily and are so very clever. 

You accept responsibility easily and always do your best.  

I'm equal parts enchanted and entertained by your ability to be creative.  

You always seem to know when it is time to come back to earth and plant your feet solidly on the ground, ready to face reality. 

You are such a gift.  Such a blessing.  

I know that some of the hardest years are ahead, but I take comfort in who you are showing yourself to be: a smart and capable young woman who knows who she is and values herself.  

Today you are nine years old.  The past nine years have been the best of my life and you are a huge part of my happiness.  

I know I don't always say it but...  

I'm thankful for you.

I'm happy with and for you. 

I'm proud of you.  

I'm in awe of you.

But most of all I love you with a love so big, so vast, that there isn't anything you could do that would make me stop loving.  

Happy Birthday my big girl.

First Day of School!

It's insane.  I have two kids in school now.  A third grader and a kindergartner.  How does this stuff happen so fast?  

Things were a little bit complicated this year with Brady still away.  Third grade lines up on the complete opposite side of the school from kindergarten. We were also running behind thanks to the two littlest people in the house so we ended up saying good day to Cadence and letting her run to the other side of the school to line up while the rest of us pretty much ran to the other end of the school to line Rory up for the first time. 

Thankfully Cadence is a pro and didn't mind in the least.  And thankfully Rory's teacher was saying hi to all the kids in line so they were late walking in and we just made it in time.    

Both girls have excellent teachers this year and I am super sad that we will only have them until the end of October. Then we will be at a new school in San Antonio doing the first day all over again.  

Beckah and Owen had a really good day at home with just me.  Beckah did ask when we could go and pick up the girls at twenty minute intervals the whole time they were gone.  But Owen only screamed at and tackled Beckah to the ground over toy rights three times.  Over all I considered the day a success. 

Pictures of my cuties...

The other kids were awesome while we took pictures of Cadence in her dress yesterday.  I managed to get a few really good pictures of them as well.  Enjoy!

Baptism Dress Pictures

Yesterday evening we went to the Parade grounds on base to take pictures of Cadence in her baptism dress.  I wanted to wait till spring so we could take them outside.  It was beautiful!  Most of the trees were covered in white blossoms and the light was perfect.  Joggers kept stopping to admire Cadence in her dress, probably because she was stunning as usual!  I edited over 100 photos, but here are just a few.  Grandparents, don't worry.  I'm making disks with all the pictures on it for you.  

Piano Festival!

Cadence participated in her first Piano Festival today!  She was amazing and earned a Superior rating!  We are so proud!

Baptism Day...

Cadence was Baptized this weekend.  It was a huge step for her and we are so very proud of her.  She has been asking many questions and we have had several very good discussions with her about what her decision to be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints means.  I told her that it was her decision, that just because she was 8 didn't mean she HAD to do it right now if she didn't understand or felt confused.  I didn't want this to be something she did JUST because it was traditionally expected of her at this point in her very short life.  

I remember as a late teen, when I really had a firm grasp on my own beliefs and testimony.  I remember thinking at the time that it was crazy that we let kids make a huge decision like that at such a young age.  I have very few memories of my own baptism.  I remember the water being very hot.  There was a lot of kids to baptize the day I took the plunge and I'm sure they didn't want any of the kids to get cold.  I don't remember being confirmed at all.  I remember there being so many people there, my family included.  I don't remember my interview with my Bishop but I know I had one because I was allowed to get baptized.  

I was a smart kid and responsible on top of that.  I'm sure that my confident 8 year old self thought she was ready.  My teen self thought it was crazy that I could have known what I was doing at 8 years old.  What I was committing myself to do for the rest of my life.   My adult self realizes now that my 8 year old self did know what I was getting into.  It was incredibly simple back then.  My teen self complicated things in ways that only teens and young adults can, and now as a wife and mother watching my oldest child take this huge step I understand the simplicity of her decision.  I feel that simplicity deep in my heart again and I wish that I could look at everything as simply as my 8 year old daughter does, as my 8 year old self once did.  

On Saturday I watched my sweet and most precious oldest child wash away the old and become bright, clean and new.  She chose to take upon her the name of Christ, to remember Him always, to live as an example of His goodness, and to spread His light where ever she goes.  I got to chuckle at her gasp and heard her exclaim that the water was cold when she came up. I listened to her father Confirm her a member of the Church.  I listened as she received the gift of the Holy Ghost to aid her in her new obligations to live as our Savior lived. Then I listen, tears in my eyes, as her father gave her a beautiful blessing, his voice choked with emotion.  

It was one of the best days of my life.  

We were happy to share that day with family and friends and with another little boy taking the same steps as Cadence.  

Congratulations Cadence!  We love you!

I haven't had a chance to take any fancy pictures of Cadence in her awesome Baptism dress.  I promise to do that very soon and get them up for you all to enjoy!  

Dear Cadence...

Today you turned eight.  Eight years old.  These eight years have gone by much to fast and I want so much to stop time right now and never let you age another day.  Once upon a time you were a tiny, brand new baby.  

You learned to smile and laugh early.  You never wanted to be laying down.  You always wanted to be sitting up and looking at everyone around you.  We could take you anywhere because you were happy to be people watching and loved to interact with everyone around you.  

And you grew and grew. 

You became a big sister and you have loved every minute of being a big sister since the day we brought your sister home. 

You have never complained about being the oldest, and having extra responsibilities.  You have always rejoiced in your family.

Your beauty stuns me.  Inside and out you are so very lovely.  And as we have added to our family you have adapted so wonderfully.  You have given your heart to each new member of our family and you hold nothing back. 

You are kind and patient.  You are quick to help and always willing to go the extra mile to make things easier for everyone.  You are so selfless and such an example to me of what it is to be like our Savior.

You keep on growing...

And I continue to marvel at the girl you have become. 

And now you are eight.  You are preparing to get baptized.  You are preparing to take upon you the name of our Savior and to promise to be an example of Jesus Christ.  

You have asked many questions, and I hope we have been able to answer them.  I'm not worried though.  You are already a wonderful example.  You are amazing and I feel so blessed that you are mine here on this earth.  I am blessed to hear your laughter and silly jokes.  I am blessed to watch you love on your siblings.  You are an amazing friend.  You care so much for others and their happiness.  You give even when you receive nothing in return.

The last eight years have been incredible.  You are incredible.  

Happy birthday my sweet, sweet Cadence!  

Love, Mom