What joy, what wonderful reason to celebrate – a day of birth! Our youngest turned one, that little bundle of curiosity, sweetness, and incessant hunger.  I wish you could all meet the Olivia Eve that resides in our home now, today.

She claps for joy at the slightest provocation. Every object holds musical ability in her chubby little hands. The stairs sing her siren song, and although she cannot yet walk, she can scamper likkety-split up those three flights. Her very presence exudes delight. We have our hands full of goodness with this precious little one!

 Her family is her world, and little Olive rejoices in us. Just the sight of her siblings has her happy-squealing (granted, they are certainly rather silly these days). When Joshua arrives home from work each day she follows him around, crawling at top speed, yelling at him until he picks her up. He can quite literally not sit down until he has put in some cuddle time. The conclusion of a FaceTime with her grandparents heralds a cranky little girl, eager to continue the interaction.  She enjoys those around her almost as much as she is enjoyed!

As a mom I pray for wisdom, courage, discretion, and an un-mistakable love for my children. Last week I threw Olivia a one-year-old birthday party, a means by which to practice all those prayers! "Gold, Lace, and Pearls are only for the Sweetest Little Girls" was the theme, with plenty of pink thrown in for good measure. We had tea and finger foods, along with the most amazingly decorated cake by our good friend Charlotte Melder. Pictures of the birthday girl proved to be the best decor, although the chalk drawing my dad did was exceptional. Olivia received the first of her yearly birthday bouquets from her daddy, a gorgeous arrangement of purple tulips. 

  We welcomed friends and family, ate delectably and drank tea all the while celebrating the new life granted a year earlier. Olivia applauded the play of older kids in the backyard, charmed the adults seated around the table, and actively encouraged Kenzie and Judah in opening her presents. It was a wonderful time, almost worthy of the amazing year we have had in her presence.

How thankful I am that the Lord allows us opportunities to feast and rejoice in His blessings. May He chose to grant us many more years to celebrate. Happy Birthday Olivia Eve!