7 years

Seven years ago today I became a Mommy. For the first time, I held the baby girl I prayed my whole life for. She is such a blessing, and my life is richer, more fulfilling and over flowing with joy -- all because of her. She has changed my life ... all for the better and I can't imagine a world without her in it.

We spent the whole day celebrating today. Last night, I blew up balloons and covered her floor with them. When she woke up this morning, she was dancing around, laughing, and so appreciative that we took the time to make her day super special. She then gave me a great big hug and said, "Thank you Mommy. You always take the time to do extra special things for me. I love you so much. You're the coolest Mom I know"! She melts my heart! Needless to say, covering the kids' floor with balloons on the morning of their birthday is our newest tradition!

For lunch, she wanted to go to Ruby Tuesdays so we picked her up and met my parents for a little mid-day celebration. I brought cupcakes into school so that she could share them with her class, and celebrate there as well.

After she got home from school, she sat on my lap and just cuddled for about 45 minutes. Andrew was still napping, Caleb wanted to work on his "homework" and her and I just sat in the chair and talked about her day.

She picked Texas Roadhouse for dinner and we had the whole crew join us -- my parents, Isaac and Elizabeth, Sonja, and Laurie, Morgan and Steve. She got her fill of steak and got to ride on the on the saddle so it was all good! We then went home for more cake and presents.

Oh, the funny thing about her present..... She wanted a trampoline, but some of our neighbors weren't super excited about the liability and the eye sore it would become. However -- at the end of day, anyone who knows me, knows that my kiddos will always "win" over friends/neighbors as long as I think it's reasonable...... and I think that a trampoline is reasonable. ;-)

Well -- Since the ground is still covered with snow and we don't have room in the garage for a 15+ foot box, I made her a card and said that it was good for one trampoline. We'll get it in a month or so when we can set it up right away. I put the card in an envelope, wrapped it in a small box, which was wrapped inside a bigger box, which was inside a gift bag. When Katherine got home, she ripped the gift bag off the counter and burst into tears. It clearly wasn't the trampoline she has been begging for for months now. I had to laugh! So, to sweeten the pot, I offered her $200 for the bag. The deal being that I'd give her $200 and she would give me the bag. If she chose the money, she had to keep it .... meaning that after she saw what was in the bag she couldn't change her mind. You know what she chose????

The bag of course. And now the count down is on for the snow to leave so that we can get the "eye sore" some of my neighbors will undoubtedly hate. Can't wait! Let the fun begin! My little girl is a happy camper! Love it!

Happy birthday Katherine!