Happy 8th Birthday, Emerson!

Looking beautiful in her birthday dress and a matching dress for her doll that Grandma Phyllis and Papa Ron gave her.

We got an early Christmas present. We stuffed her in my Christmas stocking. She fit just perfectly.

My Love Letter to Emerson

Dear Eme,

It's your 8th birthday today. I can't believe it. It seems like only yesterday you graced us with your presence. I was pretty sick while I was pregnant with you. It was rough and I really did not enjoy my pregnancy. People talked about how wonderful pregnancy is and how beautiful they look and feel and how they glow. I didn't feel any of that. All I got was fat, a lot of acid reflux, a lot of pain in places I didn't want to be feeling. I just wanted to get out of my own body. I thought this was all a precursor to what was a head of me and I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a parent.

Then you were born, 6 lbs 4 oz. 19 1/2 inches long. I remember being so unbelievably scared. I could not wrap my head around the fact that I was responsible for you. I have to keep this tiny person alive? I felt so overwhelmed. I learned pretty quickly how to take care of you. I also realized I loved being a mom.

You were my first experience for a lot of things. As my first baby, I could not believe how I could love someone so unconditionally. I couldn't believe how natural my love for you came. I couldn't kiss you or hold you or just stare at you enough. It was the first time I realized how much my Heavenly Father loved me. He gave me you! I am so lucky and blessed to have been entrusted with such an amazing, beautiful spirit. I would lay my life for you. I am so in love with you. I still get tears of joy just looking at you.

It's been pretty easy being your mom because you are so easy to love. It has been an amazing 8 years with you in my life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you. I am so grateful for you and you will always, forever be my baby! Happy Birthday, Princess.

xoxo-Momma

Girls Day Out!

Emerson wanted to go see Hollywood for her 8th birthday, so we spent an entire day just girls in LA last Friday. Emerson invited 4 of her closest friends to come along. I made them all matching berets and scarfs. First, we went to Ruby's for lunch. Then we stopped at the mall to see Santa.

Finally, we made it to LA. First stop was Mann's Chinese Theatre to see the Stars. The girls had fun finding the stars names they knew. Even the rain couldn't stop their fun! The only bummer was it was too rainy to be able to see the Hollywood sign.

Then, we made it over to The Grove. The next agenda was tea at the American Girl Store. I told Eme and her friends I would take them there if they all read 5 American Girl books. They exceeded my expectation.

The girls had a blast having a tea party at the American Girls store. They all got to choose an American Girl doll to sit with. The cafe is so cute and the food was yummy. Everything was very girly.

Kari works at The Grove, so we got to see her and Hoon for a minute. Thanks for coming and seeing Emerson. She really loves you guys!

It "snowed" at The Grove. It really made a wonderful ending to the day. It was so cute watching the girls dancing and laughing as the snow came down.

I love doing these girl outings with Emerson.

Thanksgiving 2009

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went up to Exeter to our friends, the Rasner's house for the weekend. Our kids always love playing and visiting their "fake cousins."

We all stuffed ourselves with Graham's delicious turkey and other yummy sides and desserts.

We also went on a little walk through the beautiful walnut groves and took some fall pictures. I love fall. We don't get the fall leaves here in San Diego so it was nice to see all the beautiful orange and yellow leaves in the walnut groves.

The Rasner family. We love you guys! Thanks for your hospitality.