Hope

The day has finally arrived!  It is Hope's birthday!  She turns 10 today.  I can't believe I had her a decade ago!   

She was born at 11:59pm on May 12th, Mother's Day that year.  I got to the hospital and they broke my water because I was dilated too far, but not contracting regularly enough.  She came one hour after that.  

I remember walking the halls with Bryan, leaning over during contractions.  All of a sudden, as soon as I would stand up to continue walking, I was leaning over again.  Then the upper part of my legs started hurting.  I could hardly walk.  I told Bryan that I needed to go lie down.  After I got settled, he went to get me a few ice chips.  He wasn't even to the door and I told him I needed to push.  The rest was a whirlwind after that.  Trying to get everyone in there and everything ready.  They told me not to push, which is about impossible to do!  She was crowning as the doctor was getting his gloves on.  My sister Rachel, and sister in law Michelle came in at that point.  It was crazy.  She came out in one push!  After Charity's 18 hours (they are only a year apart so it hadn't been that long ago for me) I couldn't believe I was holding a baby in my arms.  So fast it was surreal.  There was suppose to be so much more labor, much more hard work on my part, before the grand finish.  I had a hard time taking it all in.

Now it's 10 years later.  She still is the easiest on me, by far.  Nothing is hard with Hope.  She's my little angle from heaven!  She is Heavenly Father's gift to me!  I love her so much! 

Hope is the most forgiving person in our family.  All she wants is to be close to those she loves.  She is quick to apologize and quick to appreciate any little thing you do. (like I said, she is really easy on me!)  She wants everyone to feel loved and included.  We call her the family diplomat.  

I asked Hope what she wanted to do today.  She said she wanted to be a part of making all the things that are on her list for the day: fruit shake with homemade granola for breakfast, bean dip for lunch, and taco salad for dinner with gingerbread men and apple crisp for dessert.  So we are going to cook all day and fill in the gaps with whatever she would like.  Then she requested a Harry Potter movie this evening and a sleepover with Mom.  

Well everyone is starting to get up, so I'm going to go tackle Hope!  

Kid Moment for the Day:

When Hope feels mad, angry, sad, hurt, scared, you name it, she wants a hug.  Even if I'm the person she is mad at, she still wants me to give her a hug.  She will burst into tears and tell me "I just need a hug."  Everything is better after that!