Anna turns 9

I realized on Anna's birthday this year that our years with her at home are half over!  How can that be?  When she turns 18 she'll be a HS graduate ready for college - amazing to think about!  What a joy that God has blessed us with this sweet girl to raise. 

Anna... Your dad & I could not be prouder of you.  Each day we are blessed to see your precious sleepy face as you come in for a hug every morning, and every night before bed we are so glad that you aren't too big for prayers, snuggles, and hugs (we hope you never outgrow that!).  You challenge us with your strong opinions at times, but we know that God has created you perfectly for the special tasks He has for you -- and He put that strong will in you for His purposes!  Each year you grow more mature and we see so many of His gifts in you... you are so compassionate, you feel everything very deeply, you are always thinking.  We love your smile, your laugh, your protectiveness towards Mae & Judah, your love for everything with fur, & your spiritual maturity.  You are beautiful inside & out.  We love you!

 Above:  in her covered wagon with the pillowcase rag doll that Nana & I made for her birthday... she often wears a sunbonnet when she plays on her bed but she didn't want one on for the picture ;)

Below:  we framed some flower art that she did at school this past year & a print of the Little House book, and made a spot to hang her bonnets

This year Anna asked for an "extreme room makeover" instead of a party.  Of course, with our creative girl this couldn't be as simple as picking out some new bedding at Target.  She wanted a Little House on the Prairie bedroom!  After lots of brainstorming we came up with a room with blue walls & ceiling to look like the outdoors, a mural of the prairie on one wall (the one unfinished project), primitive prairie accessories like sunbonnets & ragdolls, and the focal point - a covered wagon bed.  Daddy engineered the frame & I sewed the cover.  Grammy provided an old army trunk for the "seat" & found wagon wheels that we stained from a hardware store.  Thankfully our little Laura loves the bed & the room!  Happy birthday to my favorite oldest daughter!

Favorite foods:  donuts, m&m's, popcorn, pizza, breadsticks
Fav color:  light blue
Fav animal: horse
Fav game:  mousetrap, on the iphone: subway surfer
Fav movie:  Spirit (horse movie)
Fav sport:  soccer
Dream day:  eat pizza & candy, sew with Mommy, go to Cabella's on a date with Daddy, ride horses, go to Disneyworld
When she grows up:  totally undecided at the moment