Birthdays!

It's Christmas in July around our house! My kids each have a birthday this week- Collin on Friday and SK on Saturday. I remember this time last year I was in my hospital bed worrying (because I was limited as to what I could do) about my kids having birthdays so close together. At that point I had no idea that they would only be one day apart. This year, I think I'm actually going to enjoy it. Sure, it's a little expensive. And while they're still wanting to have parties it's a little hectic. But all in all, it's kind of cool- at least that's the best way to look at it. So to my precious one-year-old and three-year-old, here is my first attempt at listing the reasons it's so cool to have birthdays so close together:
1) Collin will never forget Sarah Kate's birthday. At least I hope not...really.
2) Since your birthdays are in the summer, we'll take cool vacations to celebrate!
3) Lots of cake and ice cream over a 48-hour time span.
4) Mom only goes through the "I can't believe my kids are another year older" depression once a year.
5) At least your birthdays aren't this close AND in December... we're spreading things out.
6) You're almost as cool as twins.
Lots of fun to come!

On a more serious note,we are so blessed to have both of these babies in our lives! It amazes me that Sarah Kate is almost one. She is such a joy and it is so fun to watch her grow into her own distinct personality! She is active, yet quiet and cuddly. She loves to play hard with the rest of us, but also likes to put her baby on her shoulder and pat her on the back. She talks herself to sleep and wakes up laughing. Her daddy will give her anything and everything she wants, maybe because of her precious simple and big brown eyes. Her hair is starting to curl like crazy in the back like mine did when I was little, and she has her daddy's dimple on her right cheek! Knowing that there is only more fun to come makes me so excited to watch her grow!

And Collin is our constant entertainment. I seriously timed him today and he didn't stop talking from the minute he woke up at 7:30 this morning until swim lessons started at 10. He is curious, vivacious, and sweet. He has a sense of humor already, which thrills me to no end, and already is one of my favorite people to be around. He is all boy! His favorite thing right now is playing baseball in the living room (smart, I know) with David while watching it on TV. Decked out in all the appropriate gear, I can assure you. If he's not spending time with his cousins, he's asking about them for sure. He's extremely social and talkative. He's also a bit of an instigator, which I like to frame as "leadership potential." Spoken like a true mom! I'm definitely head over heels in love with this little boy and I can't wait to see how he grows in his fourth year.

Above all, I pray that the Lord holds on to these two little ones and helps us to raise them to know and love Him. The responsibility of being their parent is awesome, but the reward is greater than we ever expected! We sure do love you, Collin and Sarah Kate.