Amber

Today is Amber's birthday!

Amber was our first grandchild.

She is an important part of this large family,

an important part of this smaller, large family,

and a very important part of this smaller yet but still large, beautiful family.

I wrote about Amber on her birthday last year and that post will show you links to all her previous posts.

And those links will tell stories and show pictures of how she's changed through the years.  So I'll just post a few pictures here

 and talk a little about what's been going on in her life during the past year.  First and foremost:  Knox was born!

Then in April the family had a getaway at Splash Universe and had a wonderful time.

Amber also enjoyed a short mommy getaway in March with two of her friends when they went to Frankenmuth, MI.  And she and the kids took a few days to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa in Indiana just last week.

During this very busy year, Aubrey started preschool three days a week for half a day, there have been innumerable visits from the tooth fairy, and Emma started sharing a room with Aubrey.

And there hasn't been time for a whole lot else.  Amber is busy all day, every day, and she wouldn't have it any other way.  I watched her during their recent visit and I loved how she enjoyed her children.

As busy as she is, she finds time to see the humor and the love and the uniqueness of each of her kids. She always wants to hear what each one has to say even if they have to wait their turn to say it.  Also she sings which the kids love and so they immediately join in.   And I'm so moved and so impressed by all their beautiful voices belting out some really complicated songs!  Because Amber really is musically inclined and she has all the dance moves too.

 Also, she is and always has been one of the sweetest natured  girls you could ever know.  And this comes through in her mothering.  She's patient and understanding and fair.  BUT, she's not a pushover and the kids know their boundaries which makes their visits to Great Grandma's and Great Grandpa's very enjoyable.  They're all such good kids and I know it's because they have such good and loving parents!

There's so much more to say about our sweet first granddaughter.  She's smart, focused, patient, kind, fun loving, and has a wonderful sense of humor.  She's quick to laugh even when teased which makes her a lot of fun to be around.

And she's the most loving granddaughter anybody could ask for.  We are so blessed that she's part of our family and we're incredibly proud of her and her family.  We love you. Amber, and we hope you have the best birthday EVER and that the coming year is even more joyous than any so far.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.