Ray’s birthday is right on the heels of Willa’s birthday. It’s hard on this Mama’s heart to have two littles leap up a year at the same time. I know it’s not actually leaping. But it feels like it sometimes. Ray is now 8. Eight. Huh. I thought it might look less “big girl” written out. It doesn’t.

This is the girl who made us parents and endures our fumbles. She is her name… a light. And how is she 8??? She loves Star Wars and Shakespeare and Science and writing and books. She does not like formally learning piano. So she tinkers. I can’t wait to hear about her next read or read her next thoroughly unpredictable story. Have I mentioned I absolutely cannot accept that she’s eight???

Year 0:

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4… gets two pictures because Rey obviously needs both Chewie and BB-8:

Year 5:

Year 6:

Finishing 7 and starting 8 with her nose in a book and that lost-to-reality look on her face. She wants to be an author, a teacher, a mom… it varies. We’re praying that she would follow God’s path for her life, whatever that is, and do it with her nose always in a book.