Logan Turns Eight

Logan celebrated his eighth birthday this week.  First we had a party with the Darling side celebrating all the February and March birthdays.

Logan got his first BB gun from his uncles.

On his actual birthday, we had a small party for him at home.  We spent part of the night driving around listening to the radio because his name was supposed to be announced on the Kids Place Live birthday roll call at 4:30.  When it wasn’t announced by 5:00, I called the radio station and they announced it at 5:30 instead.  We spent plenty of time driving around that night, but he did love hearing his name announced!

The following weekend, Logan had two boys over after school who are in his class and also go to our church.  Instead of a cake, Logan wanted frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf, so we took the boys there and let him fill their own bowls and choose their own toppings. They were in heaven!

“Happy Birthday to you…”

Back home again, they opened presents, played Mario Kart, ate pizza, and had a great time!  Happy 8th Birthday, Logan!  We love you on your birthday and always!

Time Spent with Emily

I love spending time alone with Emily when the bigger kids are in school.  Listening to her read books to her audience of dolls and stuffed animals brings a smile to my face.

On Tuesdays, she’s my grocery buddy.  She asked if she could hold the bananas, and I let her.  But by the time we got to the checkout lane those bananas were fully bruised and black in the middle.  Not the best idea!

She loves to set all her little people in a row.  Here they all have a little book for a seat.

Six Years

Today marks six years since we said hello and goodbye to our first daughter, Brianna Dawn.

It took boots and snow pants to make it out to her grave this year, but we carried on the tradition.  It was really special, too, that Luke’s brother Nate had driven all the way from Chicago and plodded through the snow to bring a dozen roses to Brianna’s grave and sign her memory book (which was over a foot buried in snow).  I was so touched by his thoughtfulness and care to remember Brianna on her birthday.

The kids have had a lot more questions about Brianna this year, probably because Audrey (at 4 years old) is very inquisitive about what happened and when we’ll see her again.  She even asked to see Brianna’s photos and made a few crafts for Brianna over the past few days.  It’s been nice to have these conversations with the kids about Brianna and heaven.

One of Logan’s verses he learned for Awanas is I Thessalonians 4:17:

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

As he worked on that verse a few weeks ago, I was reminded again of the eternal reunion we will have with Brianna and with all those who have gone before us.  We WILL be caught up together and WILL be with the Lord forever.  I take great comfort in those promises.

And until then, we’ll keep talking about heaven, our comfort in Christ, our hope for a glorious future, and our sweet baby girl, the sister that my kids are still waiting to meet.

“But as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.’” I Corinthians 2:9

Piano recital

Logan had his first piano recital (his teacher calls it a “group lesson” when it’s done in her home) this week.  He performed a beautiful “Away in a Manger” on her keyboard (he chose the keyboard over the piano).  We were very proud of him.  He says he wasn’t nervous and didn’t look nervous at all.  It was a great way for him to practice playing in front of others. 

Roommate weekend in Minneapolis

It all started with this picture that one of my college roommates found in her basement:

And it led to a college roommate reunion at a hotel in Minneapolis!  As roommates, we haven’t all been together since college (12+ years ago), and all the arrangements seemed to fall into place easier than we anticipated.  It was meant to be!

The weekend was so relaxing and refreshing.  We appreciated the time to catch up, share memories, and enjoy a break from our everyday busy lives.  We talked about everything from parenting to engagement stories (I actually hadn’t heard the stories of how everyone got engaged), we drank coffee and lingered for hours over our breakfast, we walked through Como Conservatory admiring the beautiful plants and flowers, and ate a leisurely, late dinner at The Melting Pot. 

We celebrated 19 children between us (with another on the way for Rachelle), all aged 8 and under!  We have a shared faith in God and committed marriages that are standing the test of time.  Although we don’t get to see each other often, we were reminded of our friendships long ago, our college days, and the things we have in common, even though we live far apart now. 

The weekend went fast and before we knew it, we were packing up to return again to life as we know it.  I had a sweet little welcoming crew waiting for me at the airport which made returning home all the better!