Asa's 6th Bday

This wonderful boy turned 6 this year!  He has become such a great kid - we're so thankful for him and so thrilled to be his parents!  He watches out for his sisters, is conscientious, loves school, loves studying birds, playing with friends - especially star wars and legos, and started rugby!  We did a Star Wars party for him which started with a family party with Amara before she left, included Chewie Donuts for his class, more Star Wars fun with friends, and hamburgers with family!!

Cousin Party!

Tatooine Cake

Safeway did a killer job on these donuts!

Our Star Wars backdrop!

Bubble stick lightsabers!

R2D2 reassembly

Hoth Cake

Such a fun group of boys!!

a whole bunch of Jedi!

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Jesus Loves the Little Children

A few weeks ago we said goodbye to our baby. 

Just days before my own appointment, I'd delivered flowers to a family who miscarried a baby, so the possibility of it was in my thoughts.  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  And I sat on the paper waiting for my ultrasound.

My appointment had gotten pushed back so Mike had all the kids with him in the waiting room.

Our baby was around 9 weeks.  I kept praying for him to move. 

 One of the fabulous nurses took our other kids and played with them.  Another nurse cried. 

The next day our Christian doctor, who's delivered all our kiddos, delivered our baby.

It's amazing how much you can love someone when you've never met them and they're barely the size of a grape. But God's mercy endures forever.  He sent friends and family who've been through this before. He sent people who left us notes, meals, cookies, and chocolate. He sent supportive nurses and a godly doctor.  He sent a Delta agent who suggested canceling my flight and offered a full refund. And He took our baby home to waiting friends, relatives, cousins, and great-grandparents. His mercy endures forever.

On Valentine's Day the kids all wrote on balloons and we sent them up for the baby.  Asa requested that if it was a boy he be named Eric. 

We love you.

"Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:4

Happy 1st Birthday Sofie Jane Risa!

A polka dot party for our sweetie pie!

A couple baby dolls.

Some fun siblings and cousins!

Both sets of grandparents!

A blanket cross-stitched by our kind neighbor, Miss Judy!

This funfetti is pretty good!

Sofie 11 Months

Sofie celebrated 11 months by suddenly learning how to crawl up the stairs! Yikes -this girl can get everywhere.  It's a good thing Asa and Ida are so vigilant about doors being closed, and small toys staying away from her!  She also got to meet all the Wilkins fam.  Uncle Bray became a favorite - the 12 hour car ride probably helped with that.

This pretty much sums up their relationship at this point.

And here's her crazy face hand clasp - her method for signing "please."  

Sofie 10 Months

Sofie hit 10 months last month but I was remiss in posting about it!  She has 6 teeth, eats anything (another kid with Mike's metabolism and love of food), she tries hard to crawl after the big kids (even when she's the 'Sofie Monster'), plays duplos with Ida and remains as chipper as ever.  

The loud and crazy side has been steadily emerging as well (just look at that picture!)

She's stood by herself a couple times - but no steps yet.