Birthdays in Bulgaria

It's been a while since I have even thought about sitting down to write. There's plenty to report, just not much time to do the actual reporting. I thought I would try and get back in the habit of documenting our life as a family overseas with a birthday blog. We passed our one-year-in-Bulgaria mark last week (YAY!), and therefore, every member of our family has celebrated a birthday in our new home. Birthday traditions are something we try and hold to every where we are. So no matter whether we are in Macedonia, SE Asia, America, or Bulgaria, our kids know what their birthday morning will look like. It always involves streamers everywhere, balloons, a birthday banner, and birthday pancakes. The kids love this and so matter what is going on or where we are, we try and make it happen.

In the last year Kate went from being great and 8 to being great and 9. It may not rhyme but she's still the greatest Kate I've ever known. 

She celebrated with an American Girl "party" that wasn't supposed to be a party but turned into one. She was one happy American-Macedonian-Bulgarian girl. And in just a few months this pretty girl will be 10! I can't even believe it.

Thomas turned 7 and since then has gotten his birthday wish for his two front teeth. I miss that cute toothless smile. It's amazing how things can change in just a few months. He continues to keep us on our toes and makes every day very exciting.

He celebrated with a bowling party and a Star Wars cake. After all, what else would a Jedi want for his birthday cake.

And just last week, Isaiah turned 4! My baby!  This kid has celebrated every single birthday in a different country. Born in America, 1st in Macedonia, 2nd in Thailand, 3rd in America and 4th in Bulgaria. Sheesh! That's a little ridiculous, but he has handled all the transition probably better than anyone else in the family. 

He wanted a Star Wars cake too. I'm guessing the next few birthdays will be spent with me mastering the art of forming light sabers out of icing. We had a long family debate about "May the 4th be Happy." I thought it was cute and I was the cake maker so I got the final word, and although it's not 'exactly' Star Wars, it's in the galaxy ballpark. (Settle down, convention goers.)

A family picture (the sun was shining through the blinds and this is the best we could get).

My big boy wanted his best friend to come over and play the Wii with him. So that's what he got. 

We're so thankful that our kind God not only gave us another special year of birthdays, but that he also gave us special friends with whom we could share these days.

Thanks for praying with us through the last year we've spent here in Bulgaria. It's had it's fair share of hard days, but God has given us SO many more wonderful days. We're so thankful for all we have learned, for new friends, for a good school for our kiddos, for the falling leaves, for the snow we've seen fall and melt, for the blooming flowers and green grass... and for SO. Much. More. We know every one of these sweet moments is a gift and we are thankful to our Father, the Giver of it all!