Super Long Birthday Wish

Before I post about Kendyll's birthday last week, I want to send my deepest sympathy and love to the Ross and Bizaillion families tonight. Our hearts are broken over their loss...a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend. As I celebrate with my daughter turning 8, our friend, Jenny Bizaillion won't get to be a part of her daughter's birthdays anymore. And, that makes me deeply sad. Although she is in the perfect place for partying now, my heart breaks for her precious 9 year old daughter and her husband, David. Jenny passed away yesterday, after fighting a hard fight for over two weeks in ICU. Our prayers go up constantly on the family's behalf. We are "pouring ourselves out before the Lord" for their peace and comfort, as Lamentations says. Tonight, I just cried and cried listening to "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin, and imagining what Jenny is experiencing right now. "Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. Victory is won! He is risen from the dead! And, I will rise when He calls my name, no more sorrow, no more pain, I will rise on eagle's wings, before my God, fall on my knees, and rise..."

Everything I have done today has seemed so trivial when I know there are others deep in the valley.

So, not a great way to start a birthday post, but I didn't feel right not acknowledging the heartbreak going on around us and honoring sweet Jenny. I pray that she's met my Chase and loved on him for me. :)

Now, about this girl...

Kendyll has had an excellent week of celebration. I still don't know how she can be eight years old, but she is...and she's very proud. The biggest perk that has come with year 8, in her book anyway: being legally free of the booster seat. We've actually had many discussions about this, because I am still requiring the booster. However, she feels like it's a rite of passage she deserves. So, I've taken the opportunity to give her THE lecture: "I don't care that so and so's mom lets her ride on the plain seat. I'm not so and so's mom. I'm your mom and I care much more about your safety than about you being cool." Yes, I did say that. And, I did hear phrases from my past, echoing around in my head. Love you, Mom. :)

Okay, that was a tangent.

Kendyll celebrated her birthday first with her sister and cousin, as they celebrated their combo February birthdays at Incredible Pizza Company. Avery turned 2 on February 2nd. Kendyll turned 8 on February 18th. Abby Kate will turn 3 on February 28th. So, they get to do it all at the same time for a family fun celebration.

Apparently, having a party the day after the winter snow blast is finally thawed isn't the best idea. EVERYONE in a 10 mile radius also decided to celebrate that day. And, we were all sharing the same pizza buffet. Wow.

But, kids never seem to notice these things and they had a great time playing blacklight putt putt, miniature bowling, and rides and games. Plus loving on all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins!

I love these birthday girls!!

And, I love these sisters...

Speaking of sisters, I thought this was very sweet. With no prompting from us, Kendyll wrapped a gift for Carlie, because she was afraid she would feel left out. She wrapped her own toy laptop and gave it to her at the party. I love seeing their love for each other (even if there are occasional fights too!) It makes me savor these moments even more.

As you can tell, Kendyll was QUITE excited to get her Aunts Day gift. She is scheduled for a day away with "the cool ones" this Saturday, including pedicures, lunch at a tea room, and some creative fun at Smashing Times. I'm a little bit jealous of Aunts Day! Sure wish Aunt Cailee was here for it. Too bad she'll jaunting around in Switzerland instead. Rough. :) We do miss you for the birthday fun, Cailee D.

This picture below of the cake frenzy makes me laugh. First, it's the only one I have. And, if you notice my BIG 8 year old's face, she is pouting. Her "8" candle kept blowing out because of the air vent above us. So, I'm laughing at the fact that Uncle Adam relit it at least five times, trying to make the BIG GIRL happy. Please! She never did get to blow the candle out, but she recovered eventually from the trauma of it all.

The next celebration for Kendyll was supposed to be a day before Valentine's, but instead, we played in the snow. The party was postponed a week, but the show did go on, hearts and all.

And, boy was it fun...and chaotic...and loud. :)

Another family at school shared this 8 year old "crafty party" with us, and the co-mom supplied all of the craft activities. Wow. It was a bit crazy. But, what do you expect when you invite the entire second grade girl group?!

Look at this crowd!

Here they are concentrating on being crafty & creative.

And, here are the two birthday girls together...

After the crafts and cake, the girls all went upstairs and played "Annie" the rest of the time. Every room I walked in was another part of their orphanage, and every single girl had dress up clothes on. NOT exactly part of the plan, but it was definitely the highlight of the afternoon.

On Kendyll's actual birthday, she got her traditional breakfast in bed on the "You are Special" plate. She was just a little excited to see us come in...

She wanted her sisters to join her for the fun, and of course they happily agreed!

Thanking Carlie for her new cute outfit...Carlie picked it out all by herself and was SO proud.

We brought a special lunch to Kendyll's school and a cookie cake for her class.

Then, after school, she got to visit her cousins at Grandma's house, and was surprised with a homemade butterfly cake made by Sophie and Grandma!! It was yummy!!

Then, we were off to Gattitown, where Kendyll has been planning to go for the last couple of months. All for ONE ride: The Hopper. She had experienced the Hopper at another birthday party, and we HAD to try it.

Now, Mommy DETESTS roller coasters or rides of any kind, but I thought nothing of "the hopper". In fact, I hopped right on, buckled my belt and still had not even considered that this might affect me. (a.k.a. "scare me")

But, it did.

I'm not kidding. Okay, not scary. But, it was the awful lose-your-stomach kind of a ride. Which I hate the most!!

So, then, the girls really enjoyed laughing at their mom who couldn't stand a ride at Gattitown. Seriously. I'm never going on it again.

But, Kendyll was SO happy to end her birthday this way--playing games with the fam.

It was lots of fun to celebrate with her in so many fun ways. What is it about a birthday that just makes you feel SO special? I could see it in Kendyll's eyes, and I just love that. (Here she is modeling her new birthday outfit from Aunt Cortni and Uncle Adam. Y'all did good!)

Kendyll Grace, we love you so much. We do wish you'd grow up a little slower, but at the very same time, we look so forward to watching what God is going to do in your life and in your heart. You are such a leader for the Lord. Don't ever lose that passion! I love you missy moo....all the way to heaven and back.