Wild 5

Last Wildside camp of the summer! We decided for this last week that Q and I would stay at camp for the whole week. So we got there on Sunday and settled in for the week! She really settled in, making herself cozy in my bed!

 I finally convinced her to get out of bed and get dressed after her nap (she loves to nap without her shirt on. She gets hot I guess!) and go out to wait for the campers! She is so stinkin cute in her staff shirt with the rolled up sleeves, waving and calling to the campers on the canoe beach as they wait to get in the skiff and come over!

 You can't see her book, but its there in front of her, and she was laying on her belly reading, just like I was. Except that she reads out loud, and chatters like crazy. Its very distracting! haha!

 Her Auntie Lisa gave her her birthday present on Sunday - beach toys and huge chalk! She was very excited to get on the deck on Monday and draw up a storm.

 She is so sweet when she sleeps. I can ever get enough of looking at her. But I took this because it made me laugh how she has THREE Frozen dolls in her arms as she is napping. Crazy girl!

 On canoe day she wanted to go out with her dad again. So we put her bathing suit on, and told her she had to quietly listen to Alicia teaching the campers. She said "okay Mama" and grabbed herself a paddle and stood there quietly the entire time Alicia was teaching strokes, mimicking what the strokes were as the campers practiced them. At one point, Jon leans over and says to me " I am so proud right now", which made me laugh out loud. He has such high hopes for her loving the outdoor stuff just as he does! (but don't worry Quinny, if you end up not loving it, that is okay! We love you just as you are)

 She went out for 2 1/2 hours with Jon and Dave in the canoe and did awesome. I guess she wanted to actually paddle though, and kept dropping her paddle in the water, and then Jon or Dave would have to grab it, which was a bit annoying. Thankfully Dave is so patient with her and Jon said it was fun! She came in with a huge smile and yelling "MOM! MAMA! I IN A BOAT! A BOAT MAMA!" Which made me laugh. She's too funny.

 Nap time again, and once again sleeping with all 3 Frozen dolls, all wrapped up in her arms. She is such a mother hen!

 You can't watch the video on here, but the picture shows you whats happening, kind of. We are singing "Johnny Appleseed" before eating, and she is clapping and singing along. She LOVES this song and sings it a hundred times a day. "OOOOH! Appleseed! Lord, appleseed!" in her little singsong voice. She claps as she sings too. I love this stage SO MUCH. I can't understand how people get annoyed by toddlers. They are so hilarious, and such little sponges. The things she soaks in, and the things she says sometimes totally make me laugh. (even thought she is also a lot of work at times!) I love that this summer, she is so into camp and the games and songs and really does like being there. That makes me happy.

 Squishing Auntie Mimi in the hammock - she was being so crazy here. She would screech in a crazy way and then flop down onto her, and try to lick her. Aimee was laughing so hard and saying 'NOOOOO Quinny!" but since she was laughing Quinnlyn did not take her seriously and just kept doing it

 I was in the next hammock killing myself laughing as I watched. I was just happy it was happening to someone else! This kid licks me all the time, or does other crazy things. What goes on in her mind, I can never figure out. She is just SUCH a goofball ALL the time!!

 It wasn't a super nice day outside, and the campers were gone, so I let her watch her movie for a little bit. She cuddled right into our bed and got herself comfy and laid like that for a while. She also still hasn't been sleeping super awesome, so she was tired and a bit grumpy. The quiet time and a little time to herself was a good thing I think for her.

 Then I boiled hot water and gave her a bath in the little bathtub and did her hair. The water was so dirty when she got out! She REALLY needed a bath! Yikes. Baby Elsa's hair had come undone, and she wanted me to get it "out of baby's eyes", so I french braided the babys straw-like hair. After I was done and feeling pretty pleased with myself, she says to me "mommy, me hair?" I asked how she wanted me to do her hair and she says "babys hair. Match" I didn't even know she knew what the word match meant!! So I got her to sit still long enough to french braid her hair all around her head and end in a side pony. NOT AN EASY TASK! This kid does NOT sit still! But we did it! Next time it will be better hopefully! It is fun having a girl who wants me to do her hair

 Matching hair. She was so excited that she matched her baby, she kept showing everyone

 Chris built a huge, really cool slip n slide on the main site, so I went over on Thursday when our campers were rappelling and sat with Sharon for a while and watched it in action. Campers seemed to love it! It looked so fun. Quinny went up and watched them go down and would clap for them. She happily played in the sand and followed Lisa ("Le-Ha"  as she calls her) around. Lisa is so kind to Quinny and always pays her attention - no wonder Q goes to main site and instantly tries to seek her out!

 I was struck that morning by a comment that a friend had made to me a few weeks ago - she said that you can't visit when toddlers were around because they were constantly bugging you. I didn't agree with her, but in the moment I didn't say anything. Yet, I was able to sit with my dear friend for over an hour nd a half and Quinny didn't once "bug" me. She would come over and say something or ask for help, but then she would happily go back to playing/walking around. Sure, she needs me to watch her, and to give her some attention, but I don't see that as "bugging". I know people with kids much bigger who would pester their parents the whole time in the same situation!! Of course, its not always like that, and at times she is bored or desperate for my attention, but aren't all kids? I just really think we need to allow toddlers to act age appropriately, but not to underestimate them. Just as we shouldn't overestimate big kids! I pray that I am always attentive to the stage that Q is in, and never wish it away, eager for a time when she is bigger/different/more independent. I am also thankful that my first baby is a happy, easy-going little girl who can play very happily! I used to think much differently about babies/toddlers, seeing them as so needy and "life suckers" and it makes me sad that I ever thought that way, and never paid babies/toddlers much attention. They are beautiful, and curious and I am SO thankful that my own baby has opened my eyes to the wonder of little people.

Thursday evening was Hunger Games!! (as I write this post, I realize I didn't really take many pictures of camp happening this week - I guess as the weeks go on, the pictures become few?). Hunger Games is my baby when it comes to games! I have tweaked it and added things and I am very proud of this game! There are many different parts that I have added since the first time we have played, and the campers always love how intense it is! SO AWESOME AND HARDCORE! Can you see the little person sitting nicely and listening quietly as I explain the rules?! This is a great game to end the week on, because it takes quite a long time, and theres always awesome stories that come out of it. So fun. We also this year played an Wildside Amazing Adventure Race each week that was a big hit. We will be adding new challenges and making it better for next year!

 Thursday night the weather turned and it became windy and stormy! So Friday morning when everyone was cleaning/packing up, I let her watch a bit more of her movie as I packed up the trailer. I loved staying in the trailer this year. It really was so cozy - we just need to deal with the mold/floor problems!

 It cleared up by late morning a bit, and our campers went to play on the inflatables. These two girls on the right were SO great! Two of my favourites this week. The blonde in the middle had quite the week - on Wednesday during the Amazing Race, she was with her team of 4 and running through the back forest, and she was leading the way and all of a sudden started screaming because a black bear was less than three feet away from her. Apparently she turned, screaming, and just started running. Her teammates tried to tell her not to run, because they remembered us telling them to make noise and back away slowly. It didn't matter, because the bear was also freaked out and took off back up the mountain. Talk about excitement! And then later that night during Human Clue, she stepped on a wasps nest and got stung 14 times!!!! Most kids at this point would be done, and a little traumatized. Not Hannah. She wanted to call her mom to tell her about the "big" day, but still had the biggest grin on her face, and by Friday was saying how much she loves Wildside and was sad to leave and could barely wait until next year. That is what we call a trooper!! The best kind of camper!!

 The kitchen helper with her gloves on, ready to do some baking with her Auntie!

Ive been feeling ready for summer to be over, and to be back home in our own house, getting into our fall routine. So once Friday hit, I packed up and didn't really feel too sad. We took our staff our to Jake's on the Lake and debriefed summer and just shared stories and laughed lots. It was a good summer with a good staff. Lisa watched Q while we went - my first meal all summer long without her! Very weird, and very quiet. It was nice to not have to share my plate! (haha). We had to drive back over to Wildside to grab Jon's car after we were done, and as we were driving passed the Mess Hall, Q started yelling from the back seat "Mimi! Mimi! I want Mimi! Me out!" She thought Aimee was in the kitchen, where she spent so much of her summer. I had to tell her that Mimi wasn't there, she went home. She started crying and calling for "My Mimi" and that was when it hit me that this season is over, and what a good one it was. The time that Q and Aims got to spend together this summer was special, and it bonded them tightly, and they share such special memories. And Quinny has such a little crush on Dave - she gets so bashful when he is around, after talking about him non-stop when he's not around, she will miss him! And watching her bond each week with the campers was pretty awesome. She has a pretty special life, and gets to do some awesome things and its fun to watch that. It does feel good to end camp on a good note, not a totally exhausted one, and to feel ready for the next phase of life to hit. It was a good summer.

"Weight of a Mother's Love"

I read this log post a few months ago for the first time and it really got me! So beautiful, so honest, so wise! It's by Annie Reneau. I'm going to type it out here for you all to read and love and for me to have for future reference :)

"Hi There, Mama

You may not know me, but I know you. I've walked in your shoes (slowly of course, so my toddler's little legs could keep up). I've worn your baby carrier, feeling the weight of my growing child cutting into my hips and shoulders. I've driven your car, loaded with clunky car seats, strollers, toys, diaper bags, sippy cups and strewn Cheerios. I've slept in your bed, waking up multiple times a night to nurse, to soothe, to chase away bad dreams, or simply to confirm my motherly presence in the world.

I've been there in the heaven and hell of your love.

That love - oh THAT LOVE! Sometimes it's too much, isn't it? The love and the worry it drags along with it. The love and frustration it drags along with it. The love and the exhaustion it drags along with it. Love is loaded, Mama. It's heavy and all-consuming and awesome and frightening. It's delightful and life-affirming and blessed and holy. A mother's love is not easy, not in the beginning, not in the middle, not ever. It's a huge treasure chest, loaded with riches and gems, valuable beyond measure. But it's not light, and it's not easy. You can't have that love without the weight. The two are inseparable.

But these early years Mama - they will make you so strong! And the strength you gain now will help you carry that love across the landscapes you can't possibly anticipate. That love is big and heavy, but trust me when I tell you you will hoist it over your shoulders and carry it over mountains. You will swim through turbulent seas with it chained to your heart. It will pull and push you places you didn't even know existed. Breath-taking places, magical places, terrifying places. These years are preparing you, conditioning you, building your strength and endurance to carry that love through anything, always.

I know it's hard sometimes. Maybe a lot of the time. I also know it's indescribably beautiful a lot of the time. I may not know everything, but I can promise you that most of motherhood will be that way.up and down. Light and dark. Joy and despair. Smooth sailing and raging storms. And always - ALWAYS - carrying that love. That heavy, exquisite vessel  filled with beauty and joy and hope and trembling. It doesn't get lighter, but you'll get stronger, I promise. 

I know it's hard now, but don't wish for another time, don't yearn for another season, don't imagine that there will be a time where this love won't challenge you. I won't tell you to enjoy these days because they go by quickly, but I want you to know when these moments, days or weeks feel heavy - that's love conditioning you to keep carrying it. It's hard. So very hard. But your strength and capacity are so much greater than you know. Motherhood will show you that eventually, if it hasn't already. The hard is a blessing.

And the joy - thank God for the joy! Joy is the best parenting tool if you use it right. Grab onto each joyful moment as it happens and hold it until it soaks into your soul. You won't find it in every moment of motherhood, but focus fully on the moments you do. Joyful moments are straps and pulleys and levers and wheels that will make carrying that love so much easier.

And each other - Oh Mama, PLEASE find other mothers who know about carrying that love, too. Talk to one another about the way it feels, about the beautiful things inside of it, about the burden of carrying it. It's okay to acknowledge the beauty and the difficulty in equal measure. It's not supposed to be easy. But we can help one another by sharing our joys, reminding one another of our strength and by saying "Yes Sister. I know. Its hard". On days when our own love is sliding effortlessly down a slope, we can offer some of our strength to a mom who is struggling to push hers up a mountainside. We need each other, Mama. All of us.

I have so many big feelings when I think about my early days of motherhood. Those little ones are so pure, their future so unlimited, that love for them so full of wonder and worry. I remember feeling sometimes like it was too heavy for me to handle, that love. I still feel it sometimes, despite years and years of conditioning. But that love and I have been through a lot together. It has made me strong. It's still making me stronger, everyday. 

And it will keep making you stronger, too. I promise.

Carry On, Mama"

Wow. Thank you Annie Reneau, for writing this for me (and millions of others, of course). Those first few days with Quinnlyn changed me. We may have other children (hopefully!!!) and we will love them all equally. But Quinnlyn introduced me to motherhood. Her existence in this world forever altered mine. My heart sometimes feels so many things that it actually hurts. The way I Iove her is so intense that sometimes I'm amazed that my heart doesn't burst open and break from the intensity. I love the notion that these early years are conditioning my heart. That the love (and frustration at times!!) I have for her is so deeply taking root inside of me that it can never be broken. We don't know what's ahead. We don't know the challenges we will have to face as a family and as individuals. I can't even start to imagine  the roads Quinnlyn will lead me down as we walk through life as mother and daughter. But I do know that each day my heart expands and as I get to know her more, my love grows deeper. Conditioning us is the perfect term. I once asked Tim if parenting ever gets easier ( I can't rememeber what was happening that day but it must have been a hard one). He looked me straight in the eye and said "little people, little problems. Big people, big problems". Nothing Jon and I have faced yet as parents will compare to what's ahead. And I need to be prepared to love her unconditionally, constantly, no matter what. I need to be conditioned to be able to carry the big problems my beautiful girl will face. Love and worry go hand in hand, but I am so grateful that I get to know motherhood. I love you Quinnlyn, unlike anything else I've ever loved, even (maybe even especially) when it's heavy. 

Ending the Week Well

Some tidbits of the end of Wild 4:

He is SO funny in this game. This was his hiding spot this time - at the end of the dock. He would go under when the kids came so that just his eyes were above water and look at them with a dazed and confused look - he plays this character well! Very entertaining. When I see him like this, I know that camp work/youth work is exactly what he was created do.

During rappelling, I took Quinny into Mesachie Lake and played at the park there. Its big, and is a good climbing park for her to run around at. I can't believe we haven't been there before! We will be hitting that spot up again for sure. Watching her play I was struck with just how valuable and special my time with her is. We miss Jon, even when we are at camp with him, but the time we have together, just the two of us, is so precious to me. It bonds us, and gives us a unique relationship. I love watching her play!

Over at main for lunch. Quinnlyn right away seeks out Lisa, much to her delight! They spent a good hour together, playing on the grass and at the park

Watching this from afar made me once again appreciate the community that we have surrounded Quinnlyn with. There are many circles of people who love her dearly, and that is only going to make her a better, more well rounded person. I pray that these influences in her life all help turn her heart towards God and she will love the Lord like we do!

More snuggles in bed. I love that happy little grin!

Hiding in the bushes haha! If you cover your eyes Quinny, we really can't see you....

Jon and Dave work so well together. We love him! And he's smart and catches onto things quickly and is eager to learn. Great combo!

We came home Friday night and we were SO ready to be in our own home!!! Oh how I miss my home! Saturday morning I got up and went to Dixies and met with her, Dana and Mary for a few hours. It has been SO LONG since we have gotten together!!! Words just spilling out, eager to be shared, wanting to fill each other in, and get advice and just be together. Man I love those three women!!! While I was there, Jon and Quinny had a little date together and went to get coffee/steamed milk and a cookie and then hit up the beach! Jon said it was really good for his soul to just put aside work/family stuff and just enjoy time on his own with his girl.

Jon and I played a game and just hung out together while Q napped and then Mary texted and asked us to come to the park after nap time! We spent a long time down there, the girls climbing everywhere and playing. It felt like normal life. So lovely. Ady has grown so much this summer! It was fun to play together. Except that Quinny took a massive tumble off the big slide. She fell from about a third of the way down onto the rocks and landed face first. Pretty sure both mine and Jons heart stopped beating for a minute. Other than a pretty bad bruise on her forehead and a bump on the back of her head, she was fine. She bounced back quick and was back to playing within minutes.

 Mary and Ady came over for dinner (Andrew is at a conference this weekend) and stayed until bedtime. The girls loved being back together, Quinny was squealing with delight over seeing her friend, and I knew how she felt! I wanted to squeal with delight at being back with my friend haha. It was a great day off, relaxing and easy, and a good re-charge for the week ahead!

Seperation Anxiety

So this summer has been full and busy. We never stay in one place for long, we are always on the move, and there are new people around us constantly. That is the nature of summer in our world! I was unsure of how Quinnlyn would handle it, because constant change is a hard thing for kids - they thrive off of routine and a sense of "normal". But she is such a champ. She just rolls with it, and is happy with whatever we are doing. She has become more brave as the camp weeks go on - she engages more with the campers and actually wants to participate in the games, rather than shy away. She has also become so much more vocal this summer! Her vocabulary is unreal, and she is talking up a storm. She loves going to Nannie and Papas house and seems to like the road trips we take. It makes me very proud of her!! However, I am seeing the toll that this is all taking on her when it comes to nap and bedtime. She has become clingy when its bedtime and has stopped going to bed so easily on her own like she used to. Instead, she wants to sleep with me, or else she wants me to stay in the room with her until she is sleeping. And she wakes up in the night screaming and wants me and clings to me when I go to her. It has made for some frustrating bedtimes! (naps too, but they don't seem to be quite as bad). It's really hard to sit with her for up to an hour, when she used to just lay down in her bed and go to sleep no problem. But kids are ever changing and always going through new stages so I have learned that I can never get comfortable in the stage we are in, because it is certain to change :) I think she is suffering from a little bit of seperation anxiety. There is constant change happening around her, and she needs to know that I am steady, and not leaving her. So when my frustrations run high, I remind myself of that, and of the turmoil she must feel inside and it makes me calmer and more patient. So I do whatever it takes for right now for her to get sleep (and for me to get sleep! That often means in the night that we just cave and bring her to bed with us, because we don't have the time or energy right now to be up with her all night long, fighting to keep her in her own bed). Once the fall hits, we will have to work on sleep once again, but we will do that when we are back in our own home and the routine is steady and she knows that both Jon and I are around.

Here she is one day last week during nap time. Such sleepy eyes, clinging to my neck as I lay with her. She recently has figured out how to escape the crib, so when she's really worked up, its just easier to lay her in bed at nap time and let her sleep there.

This was the night that she got out of her crib at Tim and Lois' house. I stayed in the room with her until she was sleeping (or so I thought!). She was in the crib and I was sitting on the bed (if Im in the room, sitting on the bed and the door is open and theres some sort of light on, she does okay) and it took a while, but finally she stopped moving and her breathing became rhythmic. I went outside to talk on the phone (talking to Luke... such a good big brother. I called because I was going to talk to Care, but she wasn't home and Luke convinced me to talk to him instead. He gave great advice and listened well. Funny how God knows just what we need, and I needed a big brother to listen to me and love me). Then Calea comes out and she's holding Quinny - when I ask her why, she says that Quinny came screaming down the stairs, really really mad, obviously escaping the crib! Sheesh!! Calea said she would calm her down and sit with her until I was done, and when I came in a while later, this is what I found! Calea and Lois said that it took a bit to calm her down, but once she was still, Calea started rubbing her belly and she fell right asleep. She just needed to be with people and to be calmed down. Oh Quinnybear. I love you and it hurts me that sleep is a scary thing for you these days. I pray that these days are ones that are just part of a new, short phase, and not part of a new normal for you. Sleep is good, and your body needs it!

I saw this and it instantly hit home for me. I need to be the calming force in her life. When she's worked up, it doesn't help to also get worked up. I cannot share her chaos. Instead, I need to continue striving for grace and patience needed to be her mommy - a safe, calm place for her to share her overwhelming emotions. I love you Quinnlyn, and I will keep praying hard that God works in me to shape me into the mama you need and that I keep learning how to love you well.

Summer Day with Cousins

We spent Tuesday in Victoria and Tim and Lois had the girls that day too! Lois makes life so fun for these three girls! They played hard all day and just had a great time together. Tim and Lois bought new play dishes for the little house they have and the girls LOVED them! It's so fun to see them playing together and giggling away

They collected acorns and sorted and counted them

Pool time! Q went from her pjs to her bathing suit and then stayed in her bathing all day long. That makes it a great day!! They swam hard

I love seeing Nannie and Papa playing with the girls, they are such lucky little ones! As for me, I laid in the hammock and read and watched big brother! Great day all around

Start of Another Camp week

Wild 4 started this week so up to camp we go! The drive between camp and Victoria (with random stops at home in chemainus to check the mail and whatnot) is seeming to get shorter! I guess that's what happens when you drive it often. I like drives with Quinny - she watched a movie and will giggle and sing along, or I will put music on and we sing together and dance, which is hilarious. She also will say "mom?" A thousand times and when I say "yes Quinny?" She will respond by pointing things out that she sees outside and we talk about it. I love that. She's at such a great age! Everything is new and exciting and she's learning so much and talking up a storm.

Walking around camp on Sunday with her backpack on. She refuses to take it off! She loves bags because she's always cleaning up and re organizing and so this backpack is full of treasures that she carefully put in there - a new book, her baby, a water bottle and a picture

Madi came to visit! So good to catch up. They decided that they are getting married in Australia, so they are having a big engagement party here on Sept. 26th and she came to give me an invitation. So excited to celebrate them and their love! 

Next day, still walking around with the backpack on haha. It's been a weird week at camp, so we escaped and went over to main and played at the park by ourselves for a while. It was actually really nice to have time with just my girl. In the busyness of summer, that doesn't often happen, unless we are driving somewhere

Trying to "start" her quad (which works by her using her legs and pushing) with daddy's quad key haha

We played Mantracker with the kids so we got them all on the bus for the drop off - Q loves being able to ride on the bus so we hopped on too! So fun

Happy 2nd Birthday Quinnlyn!

I've been planning Quinnlyn's party for a few weeks and I was SO excited about it! We decided to do a Frozen theme party, and to have it up at Wildside. But the weather wasn't looking great, and there was a giant fire nearby causing the air to be really smokey. So we changed locations and had it at Tim and Lois' house and that ended up being the perfect decision. I ended up waking up Saturday with a REALLY bad headache. I was crying and so upset! Why this day of all days! But I got up and decorated cupcakes and helped with decorations - but Calea and Lois were totally amazing and took my decorations and made the place look unreal!! So glad I have them! I napped for bit and woke up feeling WAY better! Time to party!!!

She started her day by going to look at chickens with Papa! 

She napped also, and woke up SO happy! Yay birthday girl!!! 

These were hilarious. Melted Olaf's! I melted chocolate and then squeezed it into arms and hair shapes and let it harden. The white is greek yogurt and those are edible eyes! Turned out awesome

Marshmallow Pops!

Cutest 2 year olds around!

More Olaf treats :)

Craft time! The kids all made Olaf puppets! Lois and I made them ahead of time and had all the pieces pre-cut and ready

I LOVE that this girl came!! It really meant a lot to see her and have her be a part of the day. 

Pin the Nose on Olaf! She refused to wear the blindfold, so therefore she won the game since she put it in the right spot haha. When you're 2 you don't have to play by all the rules

All the noses of all the kids who were there after the game was over

Beautiful Ashley

The lovely Dana and her oh so happy teenagers haha! They were all laughing before I took the pic and then pulled these faces when I took it haha. What punks. It also meant a LOT to me that they made the drive down!!

Neil came and he cooked the burgers! I love that he makes a point to be here especially for Q's birthday each year. So special!!

My favorite picture of the day!!!! Quinny is so funny here. I love these two people so fiercely!

Silly sisters in law

She was so excited and so joyful over every single present!! It was adorable. She was just so happy and in such a great mood. She ooh'ed and ahh'ed over everything. Joy comes so easily to her, and its so infectious. I pray that she is always that way, spreading joy and lighting people up wherever she goes

New backpack from Samarah! Definitely a highlight for her! She wanted to wear it right away and has barely taken it off since

This was the face when she saw her new baby cradle! Auntie Hanna had the idea to get Uncle Ian to make her a wooden baby cradle. I didn't get a picture of it!! But I will. Its so beautifully, wonderfully handmade. Such a thoughtful, gorgeous gift!!! For a girl like Q who is so nurturing and loves being a "mama" to her own babies, its the perfect gift. She was ecstatic! I can't wait for the fall to come and for us to find the perfect spot for it and to see her play with it and put her babies in there!

New bike!! It has no peddles, so it teaches her balance and she pushes herself to go forward. Its a bit big but she will grow into it in the next few months! I am really excited about this, it will be awesome up at camp and around Chemainus!

Thanks Nannie and Papa for the bike!! She gives out love and hugs and affection so easily. I love that.

Blow out the candle!

She blew it out and started giggling. She also singed her hair a teeeeeny bit on the flame. Opps!

Hilarious Corbett girls!

Piñata time!

All the 2 year olds, waiting patiently for their turn to hit the piñata again! What cuties

Emma McCormick did most of the decorations for us and they were AWESOME! She did such a great job. This 2 was made by her and I was so happy to use it!!

I think the Frozen birthday party was a success, judging by this face!

Quinny, I cannot believe you are 2. The past two years have flown by!! I look at you and I am amazed by how beautiful you are. Yes, your curls and your rosy cheeks and your bouncy legs and tiny ankles and massive eyes are all so beautiful. But really, it is your spirit that takes my breath away. You are so full of life and energy, you just vibrate with emotion. You catch onto things so quickly, and you don't miss a thing, such a little smartie pants. You are so quick to laugh, and will do anything to make people around you laugh. You are hilarious, always coming up with new things. Rarely do you sit still! We are always on the move! You are easy to take out because you listen so well and are just content. When you see me sad, you rub my face and look deep into my eyes and kiss me, and I see this side of you that is soft and gentle and still. Or you rock your babies and lay them gently down and say "night night baby, love you" to them and I see how nurturing and kind you are. You also can get really mad and will huck a spoon across the room because its in your hand in that moment and you need to do something to express your anger. I see your intense emotion, the ability to love deeply and yell when you're angry and I love all these sides of you. You are both a bright sparkle and a firecracker all at the same time. Being your mommy has changed me forever. You show me the sides of myself that I need to work on and you make my heart grow bigger every single day. I see the world differently when I look at it like you do. I pray that you continue to shine and that you come to love Jesus and see that you were created in perfect love by a Creator who adores you. I know how much I love you even when you frustrate me, and that just further shows me just how much our Heavenly Father must love us. My sweet girl, thank you for being you, just as you are. You don't know this yet, but you are the best gift your Dad and I could have ever received. We needed you in our family and God knew that. Happy birthday baby. Watching you grow is my greatest joy.

Also, happy anniversary to my best friend! How wild that we share our anniversary with Quinny's birthday. That means that us celebrating may take a back seat because we need to celebrate her birthday first, but my love for you in no way takes a backseat, ever. People often say "awe how sad, you have to share your anniversary with her birthday."... but I don't see it that way. It's not sad, its beautiful. How perfect that we celebrate the life of our daughter on the same day we celebrate our love. She wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our love for each other, and so it makes sense to me that these two things should get celebrated hand in hand. We have had quite the year. I am proud of how we persevered and have learned how to fight fair, and can say in all honesty that we love each more now than ever before. You are the best life partner, so full of adventure and laughs and love. I promise to keep choosing you, everyday. Happy six years!