I Can't Wait To See Them!

I had a different "Thankful 30" planned since yesterday.  But as I was starting to write down what I was thankful for, I saw a picture of my sweet baby nephew, Levi, and then another picture of my other nephew, Kai, and felt a huge amount of thankfulness and love for them.  Therefore, today, day 5, I am thankful for my nieces and nephews! =)

Kai:  He is the oldest and an only child to my sissy, Alissa.  He is one of a kind in the sweetest way possible (sweet as in "awww").  God definitely blessed us with a little boy full of heart and love for others.  His awareness of others and giving spirit seems to come naturally (most of the time).  He is so much fun and loves sports.  He would always love coming to watch me play basketball in high school and after the game he would throw down a pretty nice game of (invisible) basketball himself.  Love it!

Alaina:  I don't think I could ever express the love I have for this little girl.  Of course I love all of my nieces and nephews but Alaina's jolly, goofy spirit just gets me every time.  Definitely the most cheerful person I know.  I think the fact that she has cerebral palsy makes me even more amazed at her view on life.  I love it!  The fact that I cannot cuddle her sweet self right now brings tears to my eyes.

Addie:  Oh.My.Man.  Where to start with this little one?  Maybe with the word, adorable!  She just has that sweet little girl, "I am a princess" role.  One of my favorites things is the fact that she loves art.  I think almost every day she colors/draws at least one picture.  I am excited to see her artistic ability grow.  Although at times she chooses to be hurtful with her words, I have found that often she loves to make people feel special (with words, pictures, etc.).  I love her face when you can tell she's trying not to smile (and of course I love it when she's smiling big too!).

Levi:  I have no words.  I love him so much.  I never knew it was possible to love a baby who does pretty much nothing so much!  I can't explain it but I would carry him around all day if I could.  He is such a great baby too.  Hardly ever cries unless he's hungry or dirty.  Gotta love it.  I am super sad that I'm missing these "baby months," but I am glad I have a wonderful sister who is kind enough to hold him in camera view each time we skype. =) (thanks Trish!)

 I love them all so much!  Thank you Jesus for your wonderful blessings you have given me...all four of them.


Hakuna Matata

Lunch Menu

About three weeks ago my second little nephew was born into the world.

Levi Aaron.

Oh how I love him!

I am pretty sure I have never loved a new born baby as much as I love this little guy.  I think it's because I helped out while my sissy was prego and, I don't know...just feel like he's my own.  Now I am only his Auntie, I cannot imagine what it will be like to have children of my own someday (God willing) and the LOVE I will have towards them.  Oh Father, bless me with children, please!

=)

Seriously, I just want to eat him up!

He is so perfect and adorable he could be on a lunch menu!

I am trying to not think about the fact that I am going to miss months 2-8ish while in India.

 I am going to just pretend I am oblivious to that information and continue to just love on him like I cannot help myself (which I can't!).

Hakuna Matata

photo compliments:  Daisys&dots

(aka, the mother of this heavenly gift)

"Once Upon A Time..."

silence

"Long, long, ago..."

still nothing

"In a land far, far, away..."

there it is, it's music to my ears...


What is this beautiful sound you may find yourself asking?

Why it's nothing short of my sweet niece Alaina peeing in the potty.

Yes, as soon as her tush hits the seat, we hear,
"Tell me a story."

Usually I go in the above format you just read.

I start with,
"Once upon a time..."
if there is nothing I move to,
"Long, long, ago..."
still nothing?
"In a land far, far, away."

There must be magic in those words because it works just about every time.

Since I have moved in and taken the nanny roll,
she is no longer in search of a typical, "princess get's saved by knight on horse," kind of story. No sir, instead I hear,
"Tell me an African story."

I think this really is helping my creative mind, you know, coming up with a couple of interesting, potty pleasing stories each day, I should say thank you to the little dear for keeping my imagination going.

Maybe some day I will, but for now I'll keep it at,
"And they lived happily ever after.
THE END."

(Kai & Alaina all dressed up in their presents I brought them from Kenya the night I came home)




Hakuna Matata

Asanti Sana & Happy Birthday

"Asanti sana" means,

"Thank you very much," in Swahili.

I want to thank anyone who prayed for my sister.
Her surgery went well,
& everything is fine with her & the baby.
She is staying overnight
& her children will be so happy when she comes home tomorrow!


Moving on...
I would have said "Happy Birthday" in Swahili,
but when we asked the Kenyans how they said, "Happy Birthday,"
they looked at us, as in 'duh,' and said, "Happy Birthday!"
So maybe I really am saying it in Swahili?

Anyways, it is my dear ol' Dad's Birthday today!
This is the first Birthday of His that I have not bee there for and when I think about that it makes me quite sad. He has always been there for me. Through ALL my sports, being the coach for some of them, through school, some rough times, and some pretty good times too! I love him so much! When I was young I made him a Christmas ornament and on the back wrote, "Dad, you work so hard for me." That is SO true and still to this day. He is one to put others before himself, even if it is unpleasant for him. I could go on & on about how great he is and has been, but I might start to cry & we don't want that. =) I will just end with the famous back and forth argument each of us always try to win...
You're the best, Dad, and I love you MORE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!




Hakuna Matata

What More Could She Ask For?

My sweet little niece, Addie, turned 4 last month.
Yesterday was her Birthday party.


ruffle skirt
family
pizza
pink
presents
wings
boas
wand
dress
puppy
chocolate milk
pigtails
cousin
straw chopsticks
chocolate cupcakes
candles
unicorn wishes
tutu
princess jewelry
love


Dang little girl, what more could you ask for?
I'm sure you could think of something...
maybe that unicorn ;)


love you Addie,
happy birthday dear!


Love Aunt Sarah
=)

Thanks to Trisha, my sissy, who remembered to take these wonderful pictures of her daughter.




Hakuna Matata