The Actress turns 10!

How could I be old enough to have a 10 year old daughter?


Seems like only yesterday that I was swaddling her in the hospital. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.


I was so excited when she learned to sit up.


And could hardly believe how quickly that first year flew by.


At 20 months she officially began a long career as a BIG SISTER. She was so excited for Grama and Grampa to visit us when the Artist was brand new that she spun wildly around, giving herself a black eye on a nearby coffee table that couldn't jump out of the way quickly enough.


At 2.5 our sparkler clinched a win in the local baby contest due to her fabulous solo of Families Can Be Together Forever. She just melted those judges to a puddle of love for her.


By age 4 our darling was no longer a baby anymore.


At 5 she was all enthralled with Princesses.


And she allowed the Beast to dance with her.


Sisterhood is a running theme throughout our homelife.


At 6 the Actress still enjoyed Barbies. Of course that is hardly the case now.


In kindergarten my daughter with the most gorgeous long hair sacrificed 13 inches for Lock of Love.


But she was still beautiful after the chopping.


What a great big sister...


Seriously.


At 7 American Girl was all the rage.


Our girl continued to shine and still loved (and loves) to create.


By 8 the Actress was starting to really grow up.


She even ran her first 5K with her lucky Mom!


Older and older. Wearing glasses all the time, though she has contacts now too.


Our family last year.


What a gorgeous young lady...and lover of sweets.


Sisterhood again. At Grammy's playhouse.


First day of 4th grade.


10 years old with a pan of brownies to mark the occasion. Friend party to follow in a couple of weeks.


My darling Actress. I know that growing up is tough, and you, poor girl, have to cope with rookie parents to boot! But please know that we have loved you dearly through this first decade and we will continue to love you forever onward. Even when you're grumpy or full of pre-teen drama. Even when you excell at school and at art. Even when you make mistakes. Even when you serve us, and when you yell at us. You are a special and wonderful girl with the ability to make a truly meaningful and lasting impact on this world.

Continue to shine.

Can you believe I went to Kohls...

at 3:30 AM in the morning?!?

I have never been ambitious [stupid] enough to brave the Black Friday crowds. But lately sleep has been elusive for me. Not in the usual way with overscheduling of days that turn to nights, but in the more insomniac type of way.

Weird.

I had a rough time sleeping Thursday night. And then I was up with yet another feverish child. After a couple of hours she was finally settled again. It was 3:10 AM. I was awake. So I quickly threw on some shoes and woke Dave enough to tell him I would be shopping.

I hit Kohls, Shoe Carnival (for weatherproofing spray), ToysRUs, and Target.

And by the end of my 6 hour adventure I had completed all but two purchase items on my list...including gifts to donate. The rest are handmade deals.

Determined to actually enjoy the Christmas season this year, I am scheduling time for our favorite traditions, as well as some new ones. We are calendaring these priorities.

Last year Mr. Bloomers parents put together a clever 12 days of Christmas with activities to help us focus on Christ and family.

But we were too busy to do most of them! Of course much of that centered on planning for our surprise trip to Boston to share Christmas with them. But still...

This year we will make gingerbread houses. We will visit the convelescent hospital. We will organize a neighborhood Christmas caroling event. We will write and SEND thank you cards. We will ponder over what the Savior means to us. And even if we don't get to everything on the list, we will at least savor the Christmas spirit all month long.

Everyday I'll post what we've done. Accountability is key, you know.

And since every post needs photos, enjoy these of warmer days on the Riverwalk:

A good morning, and our family advertises for the Gap

This morning I woke before my alarm. And rather than stretch out the last 20 minutes of my time in bed, I got up to run. So I could run a little longer and still have time with the kids.

It was the best run I've had in weeks. And the fact that I went out at all was pretty great as I've been skipping out on those morning runs far too often.

I went out slower. I took in the beauty of the fall leaves and the colors of the sunrise. I was more patient with the dog as he continued his quest to mark every pole, mailbox, and tree in his world. I allowed the music to lift my soul. I prayed for charity today.

When I got home most of the kids were up. One in particular seemed to be struggling. Rather than hurry her as I often do I was patient and just offered help without making her feel bad. And we avoided another morning of contention with this child who really just needs to feel loved and understood.

I had a few kissy moments with Mr. Bloomers in front of the elementary school when I drove him to meet the bus. I wondered if the teachers already inside would be saying to themselves, "That must be why they have five children."

After the elementary school drop-off (which was on time :), we came home to finish the preschoolers. Rather than argue or dismiss the one who had since turned grumpy I managed to dance her back to joy. (Maybe my dancing to one of the rocking songs of Camp Rock 2 was just too funny to resist.)

Really it wasn't that spectacular of a morning. I didn't win the lottery, or wake up to flowers or breakfast in bed. My kids weren't all perfectly well behaved. My house isn't as clean as I wish it were.

But in this ordinary morning I feel happiness in my heart. And that is the real treat.

Sisters

One a fashionista (notice the animal print tights).


One a chocolate-loving princess.