Kirra's 9th Birthday

Kirra has decided that when she grows up, she wants to live on a ranch and be a party planner. Perhaps she is being influenced a little by all the Heartland we have been watching together. Although, party planning is something she enjoys. She and I had so much fun with planning her birthday party. Weeks ago we went shopping searching for her party supplies and at that time we weren't sure what the theme would be. But as we walked down the first aisle of Party City, she knew right away - Hawaiian Luau theme! With the theme figured out, Kirra set out to planning all the details of how the girls would spend the hours during her party.

Kirra declared that this would be a "hang out party." I feel like rather than turning 9, she is turning 13 with her idea of a hang out party and I just want to slow down time. She is becoming so independent and knows what she wants. She chose to have most of the festivities in the basement so that they could sing, dance, cartwheel, limbo, and just hang out. So we turned the couch around and turned the basement into Kirra's Maui style hang out.

As the girls arrived, they disappeared into the basement and all I could hear upstairs was music, the girls singing along, and lots of giggling. I loved hearing how much fun they were having and realized that this party would not require me at all except to get the food out and snap some pictures. The girls are growing up and they have it handled. Although, they did need some help when it was time for the piñata and so I voluntold Terry for the role of holding the piñata - better him than me.

Kirra was all smiles from start to finish. I loved seeing how full of joy she was and how grateful she was that her friends could help her celebrate her birthday. She wished that they could all just stay longer and that the party didn't have to end. And it wasn't quite over, she did have a couple of friends stay over for the night. As I got the bed ready for them, they played outside for a bit because it was such a beautiful night. They then crawled into bed with snacks and watched a movie. It was cute to come up as the movie was ending to see that Kirra, snuggled in between both her friends, had fallen asleep. I guess that is what a day of spring skiing, followed by a party will do. I am actually surprised that she lasted as long as she did with as much energy.

In the end, Kirra ended up shaking the candy out of the piñata.

Kirra's actual birthday was spent with a family breakfast at Sunset Grill and then we drove to O'Connor Equestrian but the Open House they had planned for today was post-phoned until next weekend. So that part of her birthday gift will have to wait. With the weather being cool and rainy, we spent time inside cuddling, watching Heartland and baking. We baked brownies that were meant for Kirra's class tomorrow, until Terry and Jaret decided to sample. So we bought some cupcakes for her school birthday treat. Kirra enjoyed the day. I still can't believe my baby is nine years old.

Kirra's new blanket from her brother - she loves it!

As Kirra drifted off to sleep tonight, I snuggled in close to her and prayed over her. As a mom, I want so much for both my children. And tonight I reflected on those desires for my daughter.

Kirra, I pray your relationship with Christ will continue to grow stronger and you will follow Him all the days of your life. I pray that you fully understand and grasp the gift of salvation, forgiveness, and grace found in Christ Jesus and that you will show God's love and grace to everyone you meet. My prayer for you is to remember that your identity is in Christ, created in His image and that you are loved fully by Him. I pray that you will continue to love others with your whole heart, uplifting and encouraging others with all the compassion that you have. I pray that you will live life with a heart full of gratitude and appreciation for all the blessings in your life and that you will praise God, even in the storms of life. I pray that you will follow God's will for your life, knowing that He has a plan that is far greater than what we could ever hope for and that you will have wisdom and discernment to follow in His steps. Kirra, I pray that you will learn to spend time with God and in the quiet you will learn to listen for his voice and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Kirra, you continue to grow into such an amazing young lady who is strong and you radiate joy to those around you. I pray that you will continue to be sensitive to the needs of others and that you will be a shining light in our world, living as God intends you to live. I am so blessed to be your Mom and I pray for wisdom and discernment to raise you up so that you can become a woman of God. Now to Him who is able to do more than we can even think or imagine, I pray that you will be blessed today and in the year ahead.

Happy Birthday, Kirra. I love you to Napili and back!