A Party to Remember!

We have had an amazing celebratory weekend for Izzy and Reg's birthday (Izzy on the 19th and Reg on the 20th)! On Friday, my mom, Bob, John, and Patrick ("Dodo") flew in from Michigan, and Wes and Lou rolled in about midnight from Kansas City. Yesterday (Saturday) we had Izzy's birthday party, which included about 15 of our closest friends and family. What a wonderful memory-- our girl is so very loved. These days we are all about Elmo and Big Bird, so we went with a Sesame Street theme, and I ventured into the land of (cup)cake decorating. It was a fun project and the cupcakes turned out way better than I expected. Izzy did fairly well with so many people here, but was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Thankfully she had her 2-year old buddy, Wrenna, to share in the joy of opening gifts and eating goldfish...

We laid low for dinner last night, hanging here at the house with family and Abby from Denver-- who definitely qualifies as family. :) This morning we went to church and enjoyed a birthday lunch to celebrate Reg and Izzy's birthday, as well as Mom and Bob's first anniversary! Goodbyes always stink, but it's been an unbelievable super weekend and we feel so blessed. I'll keep it short and sweet so I don't get overly sentimental or teary, but I can't say enough about the last 48 hours, and the beloved people with whom we got to celebrate.

Happy birthday to you...

Dearest Isabelle Grace,

Two years ago, I was staring into the most beautiful eyes I have seen. The most perfect fit in the crook of my arm. The softest skin I have ever felt. The smallest toenails I have witnessed. The strongest love I have experienced. Oh, dear girl, you came into our life and we had no idea just how amazing this thing called parenting would be.



Today you are two. You still have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, but now they take in everything that happens around you, and look upon others with love. You are 35 inches tall, but you are still the most perfect fit in my arms. Your skin is still the softest, but now it boasts a few little scars that tell of your adventures thus far.



Your toenails are getting bigger. You have glorious curly, golden hair that, when wet, reaches down past your shoulder blades. You give hugs and kisses without reservation. You sing the ABC's (the "AB's") all by yourself and say words like stegosaurus (tay-go-do-dah) and guacamole (gah-co-mo-wee). You make up songs about your world. You pray for your family, friends, and animals. You speak in sentences. You say "I love you" to people, in words and sign language. You know your numbers up to ten. You go nowhere without your beloved BoKitty and PancakeDoggy.



Your favorite foods are grapes, broccoli, and chocolate chips. You compare things (i.e. "Wolfie is black like Pancake"). You are so very spirited. You tell us your whole name ("Idee-bay-oh Day Do-Dah"). Your smile can light up the cloudiest, darkest day. Your giggles sound like angels. You bring us more joy than we knew was possible, and to us, it is a glimpse of heaven. And the love-- oh the love-- without a doubt, is still the strongest I have experienced.



Thank you for the joy you bring, Sweet girl. God's love is reflected in your eyes and your spirit every day, and we cannot imagine a moment without you. We love you so very much, Izzy, and could not be prouder to be your parents.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy