Happy Birthday Bear!

Along with the great feast today, we get to celebrate the birthday of our second daughter. Little Bear made her much anticipated debut on this day seven years ago. She was determined to cause a stir even then. I had to have an emergency c-section and she was so attached to being with Mom, the doctor had to use his foot, the operating table, and whatever else was handy to leverage himself to pull her out.

Now she is our bubbly, affectionate, always full of energy little girl-- always full of energy. She's the first in line for hugs, always willing to help (almost always), and our all around sweetheart. This year will be quite a year for her. She will celebrate her first confession this weekend and is preparing to receive her first communion. I am so proud of how well she is making those preparations. She is learning more about her faith and putting forth a genuine effort to put that faith into practice.

We will have a small party for her this weekend, polar bear themed at her request. It has been fun to keep my eye out for little polar bear items for her party. She is a game lover, so I am still on the hunt for some polar bear party games.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee-- especially our little Bear.