Landmarks

The little steps on the road to independence are coming fast and furious this week............

Step 1: We are just finishing up with swimming lessons and we went to the pool to practice the other night. Claremarie wanted to jump off the high dive and so I said you can't because you can't swim across the pool without stopping yet. She promptly did so and there came my dilemma. Do I let her try it or do I think of another obstacle for her to overcome? We ended up letting her do it so now she is an official member of the "I can jump off the high dive" club.

Step 2: She is now starting to think that maybe she likes the name Clare better than Claremarie. WHAT? Doesn't she understand the thought and planning that went into choosing her name? More than that doesn't she know that you can't have two one syllable names together (i.e. Clare Park)?? :-)

Step 3: Last but not least, I finally gave in and let her get her ears pierced. She had been asking for quite a while and so we went ahead and let her do it. (By the way, did you know it costs $40.00 to get your ears pierced now? I was expecting it to cost $10-15.)

I'm holding on but the road is getting a little scary!

THE LAST TIME

I just realized the other day that Camden has quit calling Claremarie sissy. When he first started talking I taught him to call her that because he could not say Claremarie. I always thought it was so cute although I know it drove some people crazy. Anyway, now he says her name. Just another reminder that he is growing up. I just wish I would have known the last time he called her that was going to be the last time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Today at 3:01 pm, Claremarie celebrated her 8th birthday. It is her golden birthday since she is turning 8 on the 8th.

To sweet Claremarie........

"God shaped you first inside, then out; He formed you in your mother's womb. You are breathtaking! Body and soul you are marvelously made! What a creation! God knows you inside and out. He knows every bone in your body. He knows exactly how you were made, bit by bit, how you were sculpted from nothing into something. God watched you grow from conception to birth; all the stages of your life were spread out before Him, the days of your life all prepared before you had even lived one day."

Psalm 139:13-16, The Message

I'll never forget how excited I was 8 years ago today when the dr. said, "It's a girl." I was so convinced that I was having a boy. You are my precious firstborn, the child that has had to be the guinea pig while your parents learn how all this works. You have such an easy going personality and sweet temperment. I hope you know today and always how loved you are by your dad and I but most importantly how loved you are by your Heavenly Father.

HOW'S YOUR WEEK??

Our week......

A two day garage sale,
A friend's birthday party,
Swim lesson registration (yes, this is hard),
First day of tennis (Claremarie),
First day of t-ball (Camden),
Adventureland (Sam and Sherilyn....just kidding. I guess we'll take the kids.),
Decorate 48 cupcakes and one dog birthday cake (which must look just like our dog??)
Claremarie's "friend" birthday party at BounceU,
Claremarie's "family" birthday party at the Park homestead,
Claremarie's golden birthday,
and then pack both the kids up and ship them off to the Grandparents for 5 days!!
YEAH!!