My big girl Hannah turned 8 this month--June 7th to be exact.  It was on a Sunday this year.  She was excited to go to church on her birthday!  After church we rushed home and changed clothes and headed to Rudinos, a great little restuarant where kids eat free on Sunday.  Love it!  The Morrison's joined us there as we had already asked their children, Bailey and Brayden to go with us to the pool.  Bailey and Brayden are my girls best guy friends.  Bailey is only 6, but he and Hannah have always gotten along well.  Brayden is 6 months younger than Ella and they are definitely 2 peas in a pod.  So after lunch I loaded all 4 children in the car and headed to the pool.  On Saturday Ella and I had gone to Target and picked up a couple little gifts and cards and then picked up some cupcakes to take to the pool to celebrate her birthday.  They all 4 had a grea time and Uncle Sandy and Karen joined us to help watch the kids.  They did great and have fun together.  At break time we got out the cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to Hannah.  Then we went home and cleaned up and met Uncle Sandy, Karen, and William at Hannah's favorite restuarant, Luigis.  I let her open one gift from Aunt Linda before we left because I knew it was a dress.  Hannah loved it and wore it out to eat.  We had a great meal together and then they brought out a brownie ice cream dessert with a candle in it and we sang Happy Birthday again.  Uncle Sandy and William gave her some new swim goggles which she was thrilled with.  Aunt Ninna and Uncle Rod also sent her a new movie "Hotel for Dogs".  Karen gave her 2 new bathing suits, a coverup and 2 short sets.  I gave her a Disney Girls Rock CD and Ella gave her some water torpedos.  Yes, she picked them out all by herself.  My real gift was her party which would come the next weekend after her birthday.  After we got home, we got out Hannah's candle for her birthmother.  Each of the girls prayed and then I concluded with prayer.  I do hope that someday Hannah will get to meet her birthmother.  Hannah's disposition is so sweet and I know she has some of her birthmother's loving heart.

So the 13th was her party.  She had invited 3 friends, Paige, Karsin, and Shoshana.  Shoshana was in her class this year and Paige and Karsin are church friends.  We had the party at Girls World Inc.  We had been by ther back in April and she decided that was what she wanted.  I liked it because they did everything and it is a Christian enviornment.  Really neat place.  Ella of course was the 4th friend :).  We started at 10:30 a.m. and Paige was there when we arrived and Karsin arrived shortly thereafter.  Shoshana's mom arrived with a present but Shoshana had awakened with a fever and couldn't come.  We were sorry about that.  We started with the makeovers.  Ella actually went first although they worked on 2 at a time.  They did their nails, hair and put on eyeshadow, blush, and lipgloss.  They got to keep their makeup in a little purse along with a boa as their takehome treats.  As each one got done they could play on the computers which were set for young girl sites.  Then they started with karaoke.  We didn't book the place to ourselves, but no one else was there which was nice.  The girls sang some Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana.  I took pictures as the girls got made over and then took some individual shots of each one.  Then it was time to eat...peanut butter sandwiches, strawberries, grapes, cheese its, and powdered doughnuts along with hot tea.   Then came the birthday cake...pink with purple polka dots.  We sang Happy Birthday and Hannah quickly opened her presents before it was time to go.  Hannah really seem to enjoy it all and of course Ella did as well.  We left the party and headed for an audition for Hannah for a music camp this summer.  Hannah is officially and 8 year old.  It's hard to believe that 7 years ago I was so upset that I was missing her first birthday.  She has grown up into a beautiful and loving young lady.  She has a heart that loves and is so sensitive to others and to God.  She is a big help to me with Ella and is so talented.  She has struggled some in school, but her loving attitude and sweet spirit make her a favorite with all her teachers.  I do know that God has a special mission for her.  You can just tell by listening to her talk about God that she loves him so much.
So Hannah know that I love you more than I could have ever imagined and I'm so proud of the beautiful Christian you have become.  It's a been a special year as you've made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life...can't wait to see what is yet to come.