Merry, Merry Month of May

 I can't believe my girls are SEVEN already!  That happened really fast.  They are growing so quickly, and they brighten all my days!

 Anna

 'Cause we belong together now, yeah

Forever united here somehow, yeah

You got a piece of me

And honestly

My life would suck without you!  

I really think this is how Anna and Leah feel about each other.  They genuinely love one another.  Their teachers tell me that they will come and give each other hugs and kisses throughout the day.  They are sad when the other is sad.  They hurt when the other hurts.  Their spirits are intertwined so closely.  It's such an honor for me to see and experience that kind of bond.  They love sharing life!

 Birthday request: Dinner at Johnny Rockets, then bowling.  

 Dancing by the jute box

 Silly Raych

 They just randomly do this.

 Loud, obnoxious birthday singing.  They ate up every bit of attention.

 Now the bowling!

 This is Phillip.  He's our adopted Grandpa.  He's so much fun!  He's blind, believe it or not, and he bowled the whole game with us...complete with moonwalks when pins were knocked over.

 The cheering section.  Anna and Leah cheered like this the entire game...for every person.

 Mitchell came to "celebrate" his birthday too!

 "Ohhhh, darn!"

 So suspenseful!

 This was my Raychel after she got a strike.  Perfectly composed.  No need to make a fool of herself.  That's so juvenile.  Phillip has made notice that Raychel is "quite conservative".  That's my girl.  

 They, on the other hand, are not "quite conservative". hahaha!

 Cute girl.  She's just blossoming right before my eyes.

 More boisterous cheering

 #7 cakes.  

 We had Raychel's piano recital the next day.  She played Phantom of the Opera...dressed as the Phantom.  When walking to the stage, she gave her cape a dramatic swing.  It was perfect!  Of course, she played flawlessly.  I always get emotional at her recitals.  She's such a miracle.  With everything that could have gone wrong physically (and mentally) in her young life, she's perfect.  There was a doctor in the NICU who told me Raychel would never have a "normal life".  She would be handicap in so many ways, and encouraged me to take her off  life support.  (Thankfully, I kept my composure, and I was not arrested for assault that day.)  Look at her miraculous life!  I just love her teacher as well.  Lisa has helped Raychel discover a passion for music.  She is so patient with my girl, and expresses such pride in her advances.  It's nice to have so many cheerleaders for my kids.  

 Mother's Day.  This was a first.  James and Raychel got up early and made me a fine breakfast.  Loved that they added a Diet Coke.  Breakfast in a can.  I love all of my fancy, thoughtful cards and gifts as well.  James got me a funny card.  The cover read: I love a woman who knows her way around the kitchen.  The inside read: Around the kitchen, out the door, and in to a good restaurant.  That is SO me!  That night as I was tucking in Raychel I saw a post it note on her best that said: "Wake up early tomorrow."  It was her reminder to get up early so I could have a nice Mother's Day breakfast.  I was so touched by that!  James sent me this email the next day: "Hiya, Just thought you;d like to know this.  Saturday when I was putting the girls to bed, Raychel asked if she could read.  I told her if she read, it would be hard to get out of bed and help with breakfast.  I told her it was her decision.  I assume she didn't read because ( as you know), she was the only one that got up early enough to help.  She woke up Anna and Leah to serve you, but she got out of bed all by herself.  I was honestly surprised when she walked in the kitchen at 6:30!  Anyhow, she really wanted to make the day special for you."    

 They make my life worth living!

 BFF

 Our visit with Grant!  Grant is serving an LDS mission in North Carolina.  All missionaries get to call home on Mother's day and Christmas.  He's so grown up and mature.  But still my little brother!

 Love Anna's face!

 He is always so funny.  He had some pretty good stories.  

"I learned how to love them, Dear Mother, from you..."