Happy Birthday David!

Friday was David's 8th birthday ~ we had a wonderful celebration of his life! 

The day started out with pancakes, fresh strawberries and whipped cream

Johanna thinks this is an excellent way to start out every day

Then David set to work creating his masterpiece birthday cake.  8 layers with chocolate sauce and crumbled candy bars between the layers.  Finished with fluffy white icing and blue *ocean* icing with a large shark on top.  David is really, really into sharks right now.

Getting ready to blow out his candles

We played a bunch of games and then after we ate we had a scavenger hunt.. the last clue led to a large box in the schoolroom... everyone gathered around to see what treasure this large box held....

A hamster named Hermie.. it was true love at first sight!

We love you David and still can't believe God would entrust US with such a priceless treasure.  Your life has taught us so much.  I'll never forget your birth ~ the Dr. told us we were having another girl.. so for weeks we tried to decide if you should be called Hannah Grace or Sophia.  Then the birth and that joyous 'IT'S A BOY!!'  And Daddy's shocked look and 'you gotta be kidding me!'  We were so excited!  Of course you had to wear hand-me-down frilly pink sleepers for your first few days..  You were also the first baby to be born in Russia ~ we had never done the whole procedure of getting a Russian birth certificate.. ummm we found out that was harder than the birthing part.

Since we didn't think Hannah would work we decided on David, and our prayer became that you would love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  I know God has an amazing plan for your life David James Beaird.  Lots of love from your adoring family!

Spring is here!

Well I got very behind this week in updating the blog.. so here's my feeble attempt at an update.   We have a tradition every spring that we check the buds on our beautiful lilac bush every morning and evening.. whatever day the leaves come out we scream and run around the house wildly rejoicing and then the next day is declared a national holiday with no school and a picnic in the woods.  Well last Monday evening I heard Rachel make the joyous announcement :)  The lilacs had indeed burst and I think I rejoiced more than the kids at the thought of no school the next day.  It ended up being an absolutely beautiful, unseasonably warm day.. perfect for a picnic.

David spent the entire afternoon exploring in the woods with his BB gun ~ his trusty shadow never far behind.  These two crack me up when they're in exploring mode.

Johanna spent the day happily trying to dig up ants and put them in a plastic bag.  She really wanted her 'wild horses' back home to have the company of ants.  

Friday May 1st is of course a big holiday in Russia ~ May Day.  We decided to invite everyone that comes to the Friday evening Bible study to our house for hot dogs.  It was so much fun!  And a wonderful Bible study that evening.

Tomorrow is David's long awaited birthday.. he is beyond excited.  I loved getting the chance to cuddle him tonight (I used the excuse of 'this is the last night you're 7 and I just have to tell you all about the night you were born..).  I hope he has a wonderful day ~ where has the time gone?!  So true the saying 'long days, short years' :)