Lisa Bonnema

Mom. Writer. Speaker.

Six

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This is a over a month late, but I could tell a certain 7 year old was feeling “unspecial” when I caught her watching Brooklyn’s 1-year slideshow yesterday morning. And now, of course, Kendall is counting the days until her birthday so she can get one, too. I guess since I have totally dropped the ball on their baby books, this is the least I can do! (Even if it is totally amateur… 🙂

I love you, Emma Kay. Your passion will always inspire me.

Today

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With every birthday, I watch them grow, stacking up their days into taller piles of milestones and memories, mistakes and miracles.
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With every candle added, I see their light shine brighter and only hope that I can find ways to feed the flame that makes them special, that makes them feel special.
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Among the sprinkles and tissue paper, I see their joy, their innocence, their genuine gratefulness for this life. For every day.
And I learn. 
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The blessing of these blessings, growing with each and every year. 
I close my eyes and wish that in the midst of the crazy and the confusing, I remember to treasure it — all of it — now. 
Today.
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Before another candle is added.
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Four

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Happy 4th birthday to my beautiful, lovable little Kendall.
I’m not sure if I love your giggle, your hugs, or your big heart more,
but I am so very thankful that I get to spend my days enjoying them all.

Make

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So I’m not really a crafty person, but I have to admit that I’ve had the itch to make something with my hands the last couple of years. I even asked for a sewing basket for Christmas a few years ago and was ecstatic when I also got a sewing machine. Okay, yes, it is still in its original box and collecting a whole lot of dust, but I WILL learn to use it someday. (It’s on the life list, right next to learning to play the piano and touching a letter on Wheel of Fortune.)

Anyway, when I started planning Brooklyn’s birthday party, I decided it was a good excuse to go a bit “Martha Stewart” and try my hand at some DIY party stuff. You know, do the whole “theme” thing and actually buy materials to make things like banners and cupcake toppers…things most sane people would buy from the store.

If there is one thing I have learned this last year it’s that life is something to be celebrated. And although the party preparations totally stressed me out and only about half of the guest list ending up attending, I don’t regret one of those crafts or little touches that I knew I wanted at this party. Something inside of me wanted to express — with my own two hands — just how beautiful life is to me these days.

How simple pleasures can mean everything.

How something as simple as tissue can turn into a beautiful flower. How colorful paper can dress up a cupcake. Or how fresh flowers in the middle of a table or a bag of gummy worms might make somebody’s day a little brighter.

Yes, Brooklyn’s 1-year mark gave us a lot to celebrate. “Big” things like successful surgeries and a functioning shunt, and “little” things like kicking legs and contagious giggles. But, what we have really learned is that EVERY day is a gift that should be celebrated. And perhaps more importantly, that joy is not found in what you are given, but what you make of it.

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Ignore the fact that the pink flower on the left is hiding the letter “b” in “birthday.” It’s not a big deal…really. I mean, it doesn’t bother me at all. Not at all.

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(*Note: I did not make the pinwheels. Those were purchased from this crafty lady.)

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A HUGE thanks to my Mom who helped me make a ridiculous number of tissue pom-poms. XOXO

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The absolutely gorgeous dress made by my friend Katie that Miss Brooklyn tolerated for almost the entire party.

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My three garden fairies…

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Big sister making sure little sister inhales as much sugar as possible.

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Not sure if she ever found the cake, but she sure did love the icing.

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“Yeaaaaaahhhhh!” (One of her favorite words…second only to “Hi!”)

And the big finish… showing off her latest trick — pushing to sit!– that managed to squeeze out a few tears from her adoring audience. (Video later this week.)

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14