Marlene is the OT at Little’s school and presently one of my very favorite people. Marlene is very gifted and God has been using those gifts to help our Little have some very big victories. You might say we feel very lucky to have Marlene.

You might say our lives are providentially enhanced by knowing Marlene, but that is too long to fit on a gift tag. . .

Anyway, Marlene has been very kind about a couple of the shirts I have made for Little and she mentioned, in passing, that she would love a shirt for each holiday. Some might say she was just being nice but I don’t think that’s who Marlene is. So, tonight I whipped up a little happy for one of my favorite people

and wrapped it up all cutesy to be delivered tomorrow.

Thank you, God, for Mrs. Marlene and her loving heart.

1 month

4 yr.

8 yrs.

We had a birthday at the blue hutch and if you have been around for any length of time you know that means a day of celebration – sometimes silly. Little turned 8 last Monday and told everyone she passed. I am surprised you haven’t already heard, actually. Anyway, 8 isn’t a party year but Little had been talking for months about wanting an “Olivia Birthday” (the piglet on Nick Jr.) and so we did our best to make it so. Bubba even got into the theme:

Olivia loves red (a pig after my own heart) and wears striped tights and a little red dress, SO, I found some red and white striped leggings, whipped up a little skirt to go with the traditional birthday t-shirt and could have done nothing else for the rest of the day. Talk about bang for your buck! I spent less than $10 and my little girl talked of nothing else for days. “I am dressed like Olivia!” and “I dressed like Olivia”.

This year’s t-shirt was a team effort this year. Thanks to the Crazy Crafty Nana on etsy.com for the GREAT applique. Isn’t it perfect? (side note: I have decided I am taking these t-shirts and making a quilt with them one day. Won’t that be super?)

There were cupcakes for school and a little party over lunch. You can tell I am “growing up” because I bought the cupcakes at Sam’s and only made the toppers myself. It actually cost less AND saved hours of time I don’t really have. This may be a no brainer for you, but it is a sign of spiritual growth for me!

We had a simple family celebration at home – cake and a couple of gifts. Pet Pals 2 for the Leap Pad was the “giddy gift” in Little’s mind, but the siblings were most excited about Uno Moo.

At the end of the day, Little was eight years old and not as little as I would like. We are so thankful for the work God is doing in her life and the victories He is steadily giving her. If only I would love as blindly as she and live as joyfully. What a gift she has been to us.