Thursday, February 07, 2008

Happy Birthday, Eva

This is my beautiful, newly turned 7-year old daughter this morning. My first baby, halfway to a teenager already! She is just as full of life and laughter and energy as the day she was first placed in my arms. She is learning to think more deeply, enjoy life in all of its variety, and understand more and more how much she is loved by us and by her Heavenly Father.

At the conference this week, she is mentally putting together for the first time this whole concept of being an "MK" (missionary kid) as she is surrounded by other MK's living through the same challenges and changes that she herself has experienced this past year. Last night, she asked me over dinner, "Mommy, when you were a little girl did you have fun as an MK?" I know first-hand the difficulties that this third culture life may hold for her, but at the same time my heart rejoices that she is experiencing the blessings and privileges that far outweigh those difficulties.

We love you, Eva!
the beautiful birthday girl
opening presents first thing in the morningsomething fun to watch when we go home

Eva's Colombian birthday cake

taking a picture with her teacher at her birthday celebration
hearing the other children sing "Happy Birthday"
More birthday posts:

5 comments:

ERIN lee said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA!!!!! I hope you have had a great day. Erin

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Eva. Mommom and Poppop wish we were there to celebrate with you. We are praying for you as you grow and learn to love Jesus more and more. Poppop wants to know if the cake was good because it looked good!

Alisha said...

You're so right, Steph. Any of the 'disadvantages' we lived with were far outweighed in the process of growing up as an MK - your kids are "lucky"!

Kenzie said...

Stephanie-

Happy birthday to your sweet big 7 year old!

I am so thankful that I found your blog... for many reasons! I want to personally thank you for your prayers and for posting for us! It has been an emotional 2 weeks, but we are doing really well. Thank you for helping cover us in prayer!

I also wanted to mention that I used to live in Chile. I couldn't help but smile at all your posts regarding food (humitas, porotos granados, empanadas, etc.) and the fun things that y'all are doing as a family. I lived in Los Andes for a year as an exchange student and then I went back in college and lived in Santiago to attend La Universidad de Chile... Strange how small the world is!

Thank you for sharing about your family and for blessing ours.

Love, strength and prayers,
Kenzie Stanfield

Anonymous said...

Est,
Eva is so gorgeous! can't believe how time has flown since i held her as a baby!
happy birthday!, we love you!
angie,carlos, & jax