ELKA IS 16!!🧡

Another milestone bday around here...my Elka Sue is 16!

An amazing best friend to ALL, Elka is one very special person.

(One of my favorite memories from last year together!)

(Bike rides with Dad...a theme of last year!)

(This moment...encapsulating Elka)

It's been a year of growth for Elka and one of new bonding in our relationship in ways adult friends do. I think she's pretty cool. With Aida and Brodie gone more these days, it's been a time of transition for Elka into new roles in our home and I've loved it! She models Christ so amazingly and spurs me on every single day to live better and more so for Him!

I love our friendship, Elka!!

I've loved watching my daughter bloom and take such sweet care of her best friend, Jude.

The relationship they share is precious to me.

She's his person.

(classic Elka knitting while Ergo napping and Christmas caroling lol)

Elka...

She's the girl who gives the shirt off her back and spends her hard-earned money on gifts for other people. The girl who asks questions about how she can better please God day to day and does the dishes when no one is looking. Servant, compassionate, kind, energetic, loyal, willing, loving, God-fearing, humble, faithful, wholesome, sacrificial, hard-working, gracious, forgiving, understanding, artistic, generous...just a snippet of the pools of words that could be used to describe her.

Those who are friends with Elka are BLESSED and she makes the world a better place.

Just ask anyone who knows her...

Elka always makes time for the fun stuff...with everyone!

And today, our Elka turns 16!

My how time flies by and it's an honor to celebrate such a human on her special day!

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY ELKA!!

(NEW GUITAR!!)

You are a rare treasure of a person and I know the Lord has beautiful plans to continue to use your life for His glory as He is already doing! WE LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! Thank you for ALL that you do and for who you are!!

"She is far more precious than jewels."

Proverbs 31:10

SHE PASSED!

And she really earned it, after so much hard work and dedication.

It's a sweet thing to watch your little ones spread their wings and learn to fly...

Juggle the balancing act of life.

And it's even sweeter to see them land in the arms of their Savior as they put their trust in Him.

I'm so proud of your accomplishments, Aida, but even more, I'm proud of your heart.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Colossians 3:23

CHRISTMAS RECAP

It was as sweet a Christmas as ever.

The kids are always so kind to let me get my favorite PJ pics on Christmas Eve.

And I keep thinking lately...I don't know how many more (fill in the blank)s I'll get with all my birdies in my nest, so I'm just soaking in each time I get one of these classic moments for who-knows-how-many-more times.

Cuz wasn't this Aida and Brodie just yesterday....?!....

It all goes so fast and I've cherished every moment.

And it's our traditions that make things like hearts and home knit so fondly together, especially at Christmas.

It's the traditions that we'll remember.

I know, because they're the same ones I remember from when I was their age and the traditions continue on....

I love them.

I love the squeals of delight on Christmas morning when each individual opens a gift tailor picked just for them.

I love watching my big kids treasure their little siblings' new experiences.

And the thoughtfulness of their Christmas Eve gift exchange.

I love hanging around on Christmas Day, enjoying good company and the novelties of the morning.

I love seeing my people around my dressed up table.

And gatherings with family.

I love the goodies, the music, the smiles, the smells of clove and cinnamon, nutmeg and pine...they take me back and hold me here and spur me on for each year that will follow and the generations that come after that and I just really love Christmas for all of these things and I'm grateful for what the Lord has done for us all through the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. What a special time to celebrate such a gift. It is definitely the most wonderful time of the year!

(my little Christmas miracle)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:14