{This Moment} Seven Candles On Her Cake

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single  photo - no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a lovely weekend! xo

A Party For Emma

This past New Year's Eve when we were sharing our hopes and dreams for 2015 Emma stated that her hope was to have a birthday party this year. In years past she has always talked about having a birthday party but when the time would get closer to plan one she would end up changing her mind feeling that she was not ready for one just yet. There have been family celebrations for her  birthday and there have been gatherings with close friends but never before has she had a "real friend party" as she took to calling it. When she decreed that 2015 would be the Year of the Birthday Party we knew she was serious (and totally ready). 

And what a great party planner she is! The theme, location, friends to invite, invitations and cupcake choices were all made by Emma. Watching as she ordered the cupcakes from the bakery you would have thought she was older than her years. She exuded confidence, asking questions when she needed clarification and carefully making each decision that was required of her. It was a sight to behold! 

The day of the party she was a gracious hostess, greeting each guest as they arrived and welcoming them into the room where games were being played. When it was time for cake and ice cream she insisted upon passing out the cupcakes to each of her friends herself, and when it was time for them to leave she thanked each friend for coming as she handed each one a thank-you gift bag that contained the glitter play-dough she and Grace had made a few days before.

Thank you so much to everyone who made her first birthday party such a truly special day! It is a day that she will treasure forever, and was surely the cherry on top of the sundae that was her seventh birthday celebration! xo

Seven

Today we spent the day celebrating our sweet Emma Faith and her seventh trip around the sun! How is it possible that our youngest daughter is seven years old?! It seems like just yesterday that she was born, and here we are celebrating her seventh birthday today. Each year really does pass more quickly than the one before it (or at least it seems that way). From the moment she woke up this morning until the moment she went to bed this evening she didn't stop smiling. "Mama, I love being seven!" was declared several times today!

Thank you, darling girl, for the laughter, joy, wonder, helpfulness and love that you bring to our days and to our world. We cannot wait to see what this next trip around the sun has in store for you. May this next year be full of all that you love best! We love you to the moon and stars and back! xo

{This Moment} Seven Trips Around The Sun

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Seven

Today we're wishing our sweet Grace Elizabeth a very happy seventh birthday! It's hard to believe that she has now completed seven trips around the sun! From the moment she arrived Earthside it felt as if we had known her forever. It was a quiet day of celebrating at home. There was much "oohing" and "ahhing" over the new additions to the birthday ring (my father has, once again, outdone himself!), presents were opened, a delicious cake was baked, her birthday story read and the birthday song sung. Everything about today was just as lovely as Grace. 

Thank you, sweet girl, for making our dream of becoming parents a reality. Thank you for all the sweetness, love, joy and kindness that you have brought with you. We can't wait to see what your next trip around the sun brings! We love you to the moon and stars and back! 

XO, Mama, Daddy and Emma