Happy Birthday Laurel!

 Our beautiful Laurel turns 17 years old today! She is bright, just, mature, respectful, kind, helpful and just the very best person you want to be around! Her faith is her whole world....her faith in God, herself, her family, and her future. She is the most confident and assured teenager I know. Laurel has no worries about her future. Even if she does not know every step her future will take her, she is confident that it will be the perfect one for her! Her commitment to her school, friends, job, and activities is full and undeniable. She likes things to be absolute with no room for a different interpretation. Her graciousness is evident in how she treats everyone as she would want to be treated. The last few months of this year has been a new way of living for Laurel, with her now being the oldest child in the house and getting used to an entire new school and community. She jumped in with both feet and has excelled and we are so proud of her! Laurel knows when it's time for her to be alone and recharge. As the now primary teenage driver, she has really grown to love driving...both to get to shopping places as well as to just be alone and listen to music. She is the best person to dig her heels in when she doesn't want to do something so we have to really consider whether it's worth the fight. Laurel doesn't dwell on the negative, though, so when an argument or frustration is over, she's totally done thinking about it! Her maturity in her speech is refreshing and often times very funny! She brings out phrases that is mostly hear among the 80-year old crowd as opposed to a teenager and it is honestly something I look forward to! Laurel loves catching frogs in the pond, soccer, abandoned buildings, ribs, floral decor, perfumes, swinging on the circle swing out front while eating a bowl of cereal, Camp Yamhill, her room, painting her nails, mug cakes, and connecting with her friends on social media. She does not like credit card tips instead of cash tips, lunch, sales tax, carbonated beverages, being cold, chores, trains, spaghetti, disloyalty, or hanging up her clothes. Laurel is a leader and an example and is full of integrity. She has a personality that I strive for as an adult....and she has already mastered. God has blessed her and our family is certainly blessed to have her a part of it. We are thankful every day for Laurel and we love you so much Lowlie Annie!

1. What is your favorite color? Pink 

2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer

3.    What is your favorite fruit? Apple 

4. What is your favorite movie? Pitch Perfect 

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Jerky and turkey sticks 

6.    What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Oreo 

7. What is your favorite subject in school? Science 

8. What is your favorite snack? Cheez-Its 

9. What is your favorite animal? Duck 

10. What is your favorite song? Five Foot Nine

11. What is your favorite book? The Selection 

12. Who is your best friend? Paisley 

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Chex 

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Go on a run 

15. What is your favorite drink? Iced Coffee with creamer 

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 

17.What is your favorite restaurant? Glory Days 

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal 

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hamburger 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Sonographer

Happy 15th birthday, Levi!

The very best young man turns 15 today! We are the luckiest family to have Levi be a part of it. In his 15th year, he has become the tallest member of our family, been a rock and encouragement to his sisters, thrived in a very new experience, and become more of a Godly man. Whenever it is just me and the kids together, Levi is called on to kill spiders, go on ladders to change lightbulbs, and check gopher traps. He is brave and strong and truly enjoys serving and helping. He is a leader for younger kids and enjoys teaching them as well as goofing around with them. His peers know him to be hard working, funny, kind and respectful. Moving to a new state, Levi gets to demonstrate his respect and integrity and drive to an entirely new staff and student population at high school and he has done so without hesitation. He is mature and funny and thrives when he is around other people. He fit right in with Erika's friends at college on the few visits we took to see her. Levi is a perfectionist who gets discouraged when school work doesn't come naturally or quickly but he knows how to slow down and figure out what to do or ask for the help he needs. He knows when he should be alone to regroup. He is reflective and forgiving if he clashes with us....he knows what is right and always wants to acknowledge when emotions overtake his brain. He sees his future clearly and boldly yet also understands that details may change and he is totally fine with that! Levi loves bacon burgers, PS5, sweatshirts, fishing, Raising Canes, getting his chores done before doing anything fun, popcorn, nutcrackers, flannel pajama pants, Modern Family, and being outside. He doesn't like changing the radio station when it goes to commercial, pants that are too short, steak, multi-tasking, being told to slow down on a curve while driving, too much homework, peers who are phony or self-seeking, or humidity. Levi is humble and kind and friendly and smart and helpful and a blessing to anyone he is around. He does not seek the spotlight but deserves it. He is faithful and quietly learns how to be a man of God through observation and daily Bible readings. Levi is a joy and we thank God every day for him!

1. What is your favorite color? Green 

2. What is your favorite sport? Track 

3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes 

4. What is your favorite movie? Red Notice 

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Sandwich 

6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Bubble Gum 

7. What is your favorite subject in school? Teen Topics 

8. What is your favorite snack? Popcorn 

9. What is your favorite animal? Fish 

10. What is your favorite song? Prodigal by Josiah Queen 

11. What is your favorite book? The Inheritance Games 

12. Who is your best friend? Boston 

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles 

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swim 

15. What is your favorite drink? Sprite 

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween 

17. What is your favorite restaurant? Buffalo Wild Wings 

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? French Toast 

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hot Wings 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Chaplain

Happy 18th Birthday Erika!

 Our first baby is now an adult! Erika has been a blessing her entire childhood and I know she will continue to bless this world as a grown up. It is very odd to think any time at all has passed from that day that Matt broke a sweat anxiously getting Erika safely in her car seat for the hospital ride home to her 18th birthday. We are proud of who Erika is and who she will continue to grow and develop to be. Erika is a delight to everyone around her, a fantastic older sister, a great example to younger kids, a patient and kind teacher, a faithful friend, and a servant of Christ. Her heart is pure and goodness pours out of her. She is stubborn enough to keep parenting interesting. One of her best qualities is to evaluate herself or her reactions and use them to become better. This year had a lot of introductions to adult-sized feelings and scenarios and reactions and decisions and she handled them beautifully. Even if she is disappointed with the consequence of how she handled or spoke, she is willing to talk through what went wrong and make a plan on how to handle future choices to where she won't be frustrated or regretful. She has solidified her decision to become a teacher as a career and it is a profession that was made with her in mind! She adores kids and has the patience and strength and enthusiasm and desire to make each child she interacts with feel appreciated and respected and loved. Erika is ready to be on her own and looking forward to it! But she loves her family and desires the support and safety we bring to her. She has her future in her sights and it includes living right next door to her sister....which was my dream for them as well! Erika loves country music, shrimp, driving with the windows down, listening to her music loudly, Airhead sour strips, new clothes, silver jewelry, sweet tea, applesauce, and Camp Yamhill. She doesn't like eating anything other than cereal for breakfast, charging her phone, melted cheese, hanging up her clothes, speaking quietly, telling short stories, people touching her hair, or mayonnaise on a sandwich. If you know Erika, you are so very blessed! We have had 18 years with this beautiful, talented, amazing, devoted, kind, sincere, boisterous, God-fearing, intelligent, funny young woman. We are so thankful that God placed her with us and look forward to being with her as she continues to mature and grow and become her own. We love you more than words can ever express Baby Boo!!

1. What is your favorite color? Teal
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries
4. What is your favorite movie? Tangled
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac and cheese
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Birthday cake
7. What is your favorite subject in school? History
8. What is your favorite snack? Poppyseed muffins
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song? Where the Green Grass Grows
11. What is your favorite book? The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
12. Who is your best friend? Kennedy, Emma and Sophie
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride 4-wheelers and hike
15. What is your favorite drink? Sweet tea
16. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July
17. What is your favorite restaurant? Jem 100
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spaghetti and shrimp
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? 1st grade teacher

Sweet 16 for Laurel

 Happy 16th birthday to our Laurel Ann! What a true privilege it has been to watch her grow into a confident, sweet, fun, loving, and compassionate young lady. Laurel has a heart that is full of service and commitment and integrity. Her faith in God, her family, and her friends is unwavering. She is a woman of her word...her yes is yes and her no is no. This kind of truth is refreshing and something to aspire to....unless it has to do with asking her to do her chores that she doesn't want to do. Laurel knows what is right and does it. She knows what is wrong and stays away from it. She sees people clearly and truly and will not bend to what others want her to be. Her compliments and encouragement are sincere and real. She doesn't know how to be fake. Her face says what she is thinking and feeling....sometimes to a fault but you are always very clear with Laurel and her thoughts and emotions. She converses well with adults and prefers being with adults two generations above her. Laurel's stubbornness comes on hot when she is angry....if you try and correct her when she's already angry about something you shouldn't waste your time. She prefers alone time but always has friends surrounding her. She is quick to help others when needed and is a quiet leader. She writes the best notes to others and her cup is filled when she receives written notes complimenting her. She loves making bracelets, sweatshirts, chocolate milk, hamburgers, bouncy balls, ducks, Panda Express, sleeping in, fuzzy blankets, watching shows on the iPad, her youth group, soccer, and peanut butter no bakes. She doesn't like putting her shoes away in her room, roast, cake, shopping for too long, chores, reading signs, leaving enough space between her and the car in front of her while driving, or going to sleep with wet hair. Laurel has a dry sense of humor that is so refreshing...you often have to be pretty quiet to hear just how funny she is! She says catchphrases that are pretty close to being right, but with a twist that is hilarious and often times makes more sense than the actual phrase! Laurel loves her brother and sister and friends so much....she is selfless and kind and truly wants the best for others. She gets frustrated with others and isn't as kind but it doesn't happen very often. She is an example to her peers and adults alike on how to live a life full of integrity and happiness and peace. We are the most blessed parents with this fantastic young woman who loves us and encourages us and challenges us to be our best. We love you more than you will know, little Lolo!

1. What is your favorite color? Light Pink
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite movie? Pitch Perfect
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Nara Teriyaki chicken and rice
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate chip cookie dough
7. What is your favorite subject in school? Math
8. What is your favorite snack? Cheezits
9. What is your favorite animal? Duck
10. What is your favorite song? Flowers in the Water
11. What is your favorite book? The Selection
12. Who is your best friend? Paisley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Shoot my BB gun
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What is your favorite restaurant? Five Guys
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Sausage on English muffin with syrup and bacon bits
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hamburgers
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Physical Therapist

Happy 14th Birthday Levi!

 The very best boy turns 14 today! Levi gets more fun and witty and compassionate each year and we are so so lucky to get to witness it! He truly makes everyone around him happier and refreshed and feeling better! He has become quite the leader...a silent leader....but one that is full of integrity and empathy. He is sure of who he is and what he wants to accomplish. He gets a little shy when he has thinks he or his ideas may be rejected. He doesn't find fault in others and can laugh at himself as easily as he can share a laugh with a friend. Levi is so smart and clever. His quick wit takes a few minutes for his peers to understand but adults appreciate it! He likes being outside, wearing shorts, sleeping in until the very last minute, teriyaki chicken and rice, being with his youth group, soda, shooting his pellet gun, swimming, popcorn, and pickleball. He doesn't like sweeping or mopping, soup, shopping, his sisters telling him what to do, humanities class, sloppy joes, being hot, or choosing where to go to eat. Levi is the first person to volunteer to help with a chore or a project. His teachers are impressed with his willingness to help others if needed or work quietly and diligently if that is the task. Levi is pretty easy going but does get upset if the plan he thought was going to take place changes. He is extremely considerate of others and will ask if anyone else has a preference before he gives his opinion. At times, it can become a nuisance if we are asking for his opinion and his answer is constantly "I don't care" but in most cases it is very true! Levi never desires praise for doing the right thing or accomplishing a goal, but his face lights up when you give it to him anyway! He generally just quietly does what he knows is expected of him and tries to encourage or entertain others along the way. He is wise, considerate, mature, witty, enthusiastic, helpful and just an absolute joy in our lives. We are the luckiest parents in the world to have been blessed with our son, Levi.  We love you so much little buddy!

1. What is your favorite color? Green
2. What is your favorite sport? NA
3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberry
4. What is your favorite movie? Red notice
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Corn dog
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Bubblegum
7. What is your favorite subject in school? History
8. What is your favorite snack? Cheez-its
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song? Counting My Blessings
11. What is your favorite book? Runaway Twin
12. Who is your best friend? Hudson and Boston
13. What is your favorite cereal? Honey bunches of oats
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Volleyball
15. What is your favorite drink? Sprite
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
17. What is your favorite restaurant? McMennamins
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Waffles
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spaghetti
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Realtor

Happy Birthday Erika!

Our first baby is 17 years old today! Each year, we are truly blessed with Erika’s goodness and kindness and compassion and energy. She is such a great example to her siblings and friends and kids she is around of what a genuine, thankful and respectful young adult should be. Her enthusiasm for what interests her is infectious, her integrity of her beliefs and values is high, and her delight in the world and her life is promising. As she inches closer to adulthood, it is such a joy to be with her and hear her observations and thoughts and many many questions. She can be exhausting if she catches us in a tired moment when she has all the questions and emotions and needs help sorting them out. But it is fun to see her mind work and we are lucky to help guide her. Erika loves interior design, country music, trucks, America, shrimp, reading, sunsets, the beach, sweet iced tea, pasta fagioli soup, thrift shopping with her friends, her siblings, babysitting and Costco hot dogs. Her smile when she is participating in something she thoroughly enjoys is the exact same smile she had as a preschooler when she was excited and it brings me joy every time I see it. Erika is generally a happy and joyful girl but has her times of trials. She cries easily when disappointed or frustrated or when someone is upset at her. She has had moments of rebellion when she became very angry at a rule or decision we have made but she obeys our direction even if it is grudgingly at times. Erika doesn’t like putting her clothes away in a timely fashion, melted cheese, second hand embarrassment, plans changing, staying home, picking berries, salad, or people telling her to do something that she already had in mind to do. She is beautiful and talented and friendly and mature and laughs easily and converses with adults naturally and we could not be more proud of the girl God placed with us 17 years ago to guide and direct and raise. We love you so much Erika and every day with you is a treasure!

1. What is your favorite color? Teal
2. What is your favorite sport? Hiking
3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberry
4. What is your favorite movie? Tangled
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Safeway lunch deal (corn dog and jojos)
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Birthday cake
7. What is your favorite subject in school? History
8. What is your favorite snack? Goldfish
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song? Cruise by Florida Georgia Line
11. What is your favorite book? The Orphan Collector
12. Who is your best friend? Emma, Kennedy and Hazel
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Hike or swim in the river
15. What is your favorite drink? Sweet iced tea
16. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July
17. What is your favorite restaurant? Jem 100
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Shrimp scampi
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Interior Designer

Happy Birthday Laurel!

Our beautiful Laurel is 15 years old! Laurel is the easiest child when it's a good day and the most difficult child when it isn't. Luckily for us, most days are good days! We tease her all the time about not really knowing the family plan but absolutely determined to join in the plan and have fun. She has a habit of listening when she finds it interesting but can completely tune out whatever is going on around her when it doesn't pertain to or interest her. Laurel has consistently received comments from her teachers on what a great example and friend she is to everyone in her class. At the last teacher conference, her math teacher told us that he is so impressed by her willingness to help her fellow classmates with their work and also encouraging them to be respectful to him as he teaches. Laurel is, and always has been, this quiet force that attracts so many people to her. She knows her mind and her values and her passions and her beliefs and is not persuaded to go against any of them. She is as stubborn as the day is long and I have learned to just let some things go because if she is not in a mood to receive critique or help, it is going to be a long battle that I probably won't win. The best attribute of Laurel is that with time to self-reflect, she can see how to improve her attitude and the way she reacts. Laurel is kind and thoughtful and compassionate and puts others above herself. Especially with younger ones at church and elderly ones at church or within our family, she abandons the fun her peers may be having to take time to slowly help, walk with, or talk to the other generations she interacts with. She loves soccer, hamburgers, swimming, absolutes, her family, ducks, fuzzy socks, chocolate milk, fidgets, burned broccoli, helping with the kids ministry at church, Edgar, and watching shows. She doesn't like too much talking, waking up early, cake, being alone, folding laundry, riddles, pasta, nightmares, loud football games, studying, blood, or being cold. The first few months of high school brought with it some growing pains of social situations and acceptance. Laurel handled it with such grace and humility and really showed others how God would want her to deal with her new situations. We are proud of her and love her and every day we can learn from our teenage daughter a little more of Christ's love. Laurel is determined and knows what is right and wrong and doesn't really like to have deep discussions about gray areas. Her heart is pure and forgiving. We are blessed to watch her continue to grow and deepen the Godly characteristics she already has while strengthening the ones that she is still developing. What a joy and honor to be her parents. We love you so much, Laurely-Lou!

 1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite movie? Just Go With It
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheese quesadilla
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream
7. What is your favorite subject in school? Math
8. What is your favorite snack? Tostitos cheese and tortilla chips
9. What is your favorite animal? Duck
10. What is your favorite song? Build A Boat
11. What is your favorite book? The Selection
12. Who is your best friend? Erika and Paisley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play badminton
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What is your favorite restaurant? McMennamins
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Swedish pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hamburgers and milk shake
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Physical therapist