Friendly Birthday Fun

Moving into a new house has provided me with much joy over this past year, and here are the top two reasons why:

1)  There is enough space to gather people in, 

and feed them yummy food.

And,

2) It has given me opportunity to get to know people I didn't, 

and learn all about how special God has made them to be.

This weekend, those two things collided as we celebrated Ginger's birthday, in our house, with people we think are pretty great.

With some phenomenal planning by this lovely lady,

we enjoyed laughing and eating together,

 the outdoors,

 each other,

and this adorable guy.

 We showed Ginger how well we know her by getting her her favorite cake,

 and enjoyed it with her.

(I think that's my 'yum' face, though it's hard to know for sure...)

 As the night grew late, we gathered around George and fulfilled Ginger's birthday wish,

to spend time in worship and gratitude for the life God has given to her, for the way that He has blessed us with her presence among us; for who He is and how He loves.

Overall, we simply affirmed:

 Ginger, we're your people.

Hooray!

Hello there, we've been waiting

I'm sure you remember that we have been waiting for the arrival of the newest member of our little family,

and so I'm happy to announce:

He's here!

Just in time for Mother's Day, Harold Aden the Fifth arrived, to be known to those who know and love him as:

Quint.

On the fifth day of little Quint's life, I made my way to meet him,

to spend a Happy Mother's Day with the newest Mama I know,
and with her sweet men.

We lounged in the gentle rhythms of eating, pooping, sleeping, and vitamin-taking that consume little Quint's life at the moment,

enjoying the amazement of his little being,

enjoying the being all together, with good music and good conversation and much overflow of heart.

Yes little one, hello.
We've been waiting, and we're glad you're here.

My special birthday invitation

It's not every day that a child calls you up in the wee hours of the morning before she leaves for school, and says 

'Hey, Lauren?  Will you come to my birthday party and sleep over? And, you're not allowed to talk to my mama!'

But then again, this is not every child.

Being that Kate and I have had a strong bond ever since we first began our piano lessons together when she was a wee 4,  she gets a little frustrated with me on occasion, that I would actually choose to talk to the adults when she is in the room.  

Hence, for her birthday I promised to belong only to her.

I got there a bit early, as preparations were still under way.

I marveled at the pinata,

the fashionista cupcakes.

I rejoiced with her as the guests began to arrive.

I waited with Sarah for all the guests to get there,

since the nail salon had already begun.

I yelled loudly for the pinata to be smashed,

and sent my girl to the front to get my candy.

(Hey, she offered!)

I took the guest seat as she opened my gift

(of course, we can make that sidewalk chalk together!)

and exchanged weepy glances with Heather and Ash as the reality of the moment hit us:

this girl who has our hearts is getting mighty grown.

Afterward, I sighed with Heather as we looked at the remains of a good time.

And then, I stopped talking to her,
in order to fulfill my promise to the girl of the day:

A sleepover to beat all sleepovers, by special invitation.

She brings us home

The cuteness of this little face has the power

 to melt hearts

and bring her people home.

She doesn't need to have a reason,
but a reason she gave us anyway:

Birthday #1.

[Marisa gave us another reason: This amazing cake.]

We gathered together [with a few hundred balloons]

to gift her with all the fun things we need an excuse to play with,

to watch her discover,

watch her read [she's a genius!],

to watch her play.

In essence,

to celebrate.

Her,

and just being together.

Our togetherness continued into the next day,

gathering with Grandma to show her the pictures of our little one's big day,

to prepare a scrumptious meal,

[of which even Digby approved...]

and to celebrate the other birthdays that got missed along the way.

 On my way out of town, I couldn't help but swing back to that adorable bug

and the brother and sister I get to see far too little of.

She was pretty happy about it.

[I was too.]

It was a treat of a visit, even if a quick one.

As Daniela said as I was leaving, 

'Hey! When are you coming back?'

Soon.

A love story

Meet my first true love:

As a child, the piano was my refuge, a place to be myself.

Our relationship over the years has been one of heartfelt need, hard work, emotional fulfillment, disappointment, and celebration.  The piano has brought me to places I would never have gone otherwise, has granted me experiences and taught me lessons I am grateful for.

Which is why it seems odd that I didn't have one of my own...  

...until April 27th, that is!

On that day I found myself--completely unexpectedly--playing a variety of 'for sale' pianos at our local piano store. With the wisdom and listening ear of my good friend Andrew,

 I found myself saying 'this is the one!'

And so, 

I brought him home.

(Well, ok, three burly delivery men brought him home for me...)

I named him George, in honor of all the piano students I've called George over the years.  (Don't ask me why, but piano students find it to be hilarious when their piano teacher refers to them as George...)

I've spent the past weeks getting to know this George, 

and I have to say:

He was in my heart immediately.

He is my very own; George.