9 and just fine



 This kid got to celebrate her birthday all week! Before dad left we let her open her present from Heath (so she could wear it to sing in the primary program) Every time we went to the mall she would check on this dress, and then say it's still not on sale, then when she saw it was on sale she was so excited but it was still too much money, she was pretty disappointed. One day I was with Heath and it was so cute he went over to the sales rack and said "mom its Ria's dress" I checked and finally it was reasonably priced so, I asked Heath if he would like to get it for her for her birthday. He was so excited to give it to her and even asked a few times if I remembered where it was, & requested just to see it, then he would exclaim I'm so excited; she is going to love it!



When Brant left he had an 8 year old daughter and we he came home she was 9! She cracked me up that morning I made her breakfast with her favorite (sausage & bacon).



While she was having breakfast she said "So I've been tempted for a year now right?" It took me a while to get what she was asking then I answered yes, Satan has been able to tempt you. To which she responded "I'm doing a pretty good job" Yes, Ria you are doing just fine, but there are more years ahead and hopefully every year you can respond with that. How grateful I am for this girl and her reminders. For me there have been some good years and some not so good years but with the Lords help I too am just fine!

I also took her class doughnuts and chocolate milk for her birthday. She was excited that her birthday came on crazy hat day at school.



Then I took her and a friend to the mall (most of their time was spent at Claire's, they picked out magnetic earrings and a mood bracelet.

I let her open a few presents sent to us thanks grandma Mary and Sienna!  She wanted to save some for when dad got home!

After dad got home with his surprises he brought the kids Alaskan huskies (stuffed animals) the kids were thrilled and then too add to a late night she couldn't wait to open her Alaskan birthday present from dad (porcelain doll)!



She also had no idea she was getting a real cowgirl hat. (From the boot barn, she has wanted it for a very long time).

With the dress, cowgirl hat and boots crossed off her wish list, who knows what she'll want for Christmas. She was so sweet and expressed her gratitude.



She wanted a bubble gum cake;



we let her invite 4 friends over for cake and ice-cream.



Hailey, Ria, Ginger, Ashlee



They had a good time playing bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish!



She is officially 9! She is the most helpful kid I know. I don't know what I'd do without her, especially while Brant was gone. I love how she says "mom don't mop the floor let me do it when I get home". Or how she asks if she can make dinner all by herself. She is a great big sister; I can't tell you how many mornings I got up to find Heath had climbed in bed with her sometime in the night. I see where I rank in the comfort giver for that kid ;). Her faith amazes me. She is so smart and I love how she always takes care of her homework without any reminders. 

clapping out the candle's

She looks like her dad and reminds me so much of Grandma Brown (a genuine care taker). She is a kind and thoughtful kid. Her teacher told me that once a month they get a "happy day" they can go to lunch early and take one friend with them. On her happy day she chose to take a little girl with special needs that was in a wheel chair. The teacher said it made the little girl very, very happy. (I cried happy tears, I was so proud of her)