Happy Birthday, Richard

It's that time of year again. Another Christmas, another birthday. You were supposed to be turning 28 on Christmas Day. Amid all the joy and celebrations, we still feel your loss. 

Merry Christmas from Heaven Throughout the Christmas season, don't fall into despair, Relive the special times we shared, I promise, I'll be there. You'll find me in the stories, of loved ones who stop by, I am the flickering candlelight, My spirit did not die. Continue with traditions and gather around the tree, I want you to be happy... You were everything to me! So fill the house with laughter, and know that I'm a part, Of all the joy the season brings, Here ALWAYS in your heart.

You are still the best Christmas gift our family ever received.  Know we miss and love you very, very much, but we know we can all be together again someday.

Richard Gene Kirk 12/25/1988-7/9/2008

Happy Birthday, Richard

Our seventh Christmas since you've been gone...

We have learned to live without you, but this time of year brings our memories to the forefront of our consciousness and you're ever present in our hearts.

Christmas Without You

Although it's sad to reminisce

On Christmases we knew,

This year I shall celebrate

In memory of you.

I'll put aside my sorrow

With every unshed tear,

And concentrate on all the joy

We shared when you were here.

Our time together taught me

What Christmas time is for,

And that's what I'll remember

Until we meet once more.

Richard Gene Kirk 12/25/1988~7/9/2008

Happy birthday, Richard. We love you so.

Happy Birthday, Richard

Another year.

 Another birthday.

 Richard, you would have been 26 today.

 I cannot help but wonder: who you'd be today.

 The job you would have, where you would live, the things you'd be teaching your nieces and nephews...

Christmas hasn't ever been the same since we lost you. Being together as a family sure helps a lot, but I know we all feel the empty space where you should be. I can't adequately express in words how much you are missed at this time of year, so the words of another will have to suffice.

Someone Is Missing at Christmas

Let this be a loving reminder

That someone is missing today,

Someone our hearts still hold on to,

As we travel along life's way.

Someone who made life so special,

for all those who gather here,

Someone who won't be forgotten,

But cherished from year to year.

And now as we pause to remember,

Let us all fondly recall,

How dearly each of us loved him,

And oh...how he loved us all!

We will always love and remember you, brother. Merry Christmas and happy birthday, Richard.

Richard Gene Kirk 12/25/1988~7/9/2008

Kyan's Eighth Birthday

Eight wonderful years with my first born, Kyan. I remember when I was pregnant with him and being so nervous for labor and delivery but so excited to get him here. And now he's eight. Time seems to go by faster and faster as each year passes.

Kyan all ready for his first day of Cub Scouts! I'm one of the den leaders for the Wolves so we get to go together.

 We let him open presents from grandmas and us on his actual birthday since his party wasn't for a few days afterward.

He requested pumpkin oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon for his birthday breakfast. That's my boy, no doubt!

Warm brownies with ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream; a copycat of Kyan's favorite dessert from Applebee's

 We had his party a few days later and it was almost an exact replica of Jaxon's party from 10 days earlier. Pumpkin Party: Part 2!

Lainey and Avery painting pumpkins

Kyan and his best friend, Cash, painting

Kyan's friend Austin (Cash's brother)

He face painted at his party, too! 

 Same pumpkin themed snacks as Jax's party: fizzy drink, two types of pumpkin pretzels, pumpkin spice marshmallows, and pumpkin poop (cheese balls).

Kyan got a LOT of Nerf guns for gifts, which added to his already extensive collection, led to an epic Nerf gun battle at the party!

Kyan, Davis, and Lainey 

Pumpkin cupcakes

Tess, Davis, and Austin singing 

Abby, Avery, Lainey, and Tess

Doesn't he just look thrilled?

We wound up the day with our weekly visit from Grandpa Kirk and dinner at Sakura. The boys loved it and Grandpa really liked the food. Birthday boy got a crown.

We're so proud of our oldest. He's an amazing brother to his younger brothers, he is always looking out for Tucker on the bus and at school, and he still lets me tuck him in at night with a kiss and a hug. Ky is a math whiz, a rockin' speller, and a great reader which makes my mama book-lovin heart happy! He's always up for a gaming session with his dad and brothers. He's loving Cub Scouts and has made the decision to be baptized soon! We love you, Ky!

Yes, he really sleeps buried in stuffed animals...

Jaxon's Third Birthday

Three years gone in the wink of an eye. Seriously. I cannot fathom how fast time seems to speed by in my life.

Jaxon Richard Hiatt 9/27/2011 11:22 AM 7 lbs 12.9 oz 20 in

My Jaxon turned three today. I don't know how that happened! I distinctly remember deciding during this pregnancy that I would endure savor each moment because we knew early on that it would be my last due to some unavoidable health issues. Now that he's three, I find myself almost wanting another baby....almost!

We had a super fun pumpkin party for Jaxon's birthday. We painted pumpkins and all the refreshments were pumpkin themed. It was so fun and super simple!

Each child painted a pumpkin to take home.

Pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting!

I couldn't get the white chocolate orange enough and finally settled for this. 

Marshmallows

Dipped pretzels

Cheese balls

Fox in a pumpkin magnets for easy party favors. 

Edison, Jaxon, Kyan, Cash, Emily, and Alex painting

Happy Tucker

Tucker, Kyan, Jaxon, me, Avarie, Sam, and Edison painting pumpkins

Alex showing off his fizzy orange drink.

Kyan thought it would be funny to paint his face 

The birthday boy loving his party 

Edison and Emily 

Ready for singing and cake

Yay! 

One of Tucker's best friends, Edison 

Avarie is one of Jaxon's friends from nursery at church and playgroup 

Opening presents is always the hit of the party! Avarie, Alex, Jaxon, Collin, Edison, and Tucker 

Avarie's mom Julie made Jaxon his own apron to wear while making cookies with the awesome collection of cutters she gave him, too! 

Monkey Bingo from Grandma Hiatt

Post party TV with Daddy

We wound up the day with a visit from Grandpa Kirk and a trip to Applebee's for Jaxon's birthday dinner. 

I'm super proud of my three year old! He's potty trained as of the middle of September (YAY!), he loves nursery and church, loves all his awesome little friends, tells everyone who will listen that "Us got a dog and he's Blue!" and says his brothers are "his guys" and his best friends. Jax is super smart, loves to play Skylanders and Minecraft on the PS3, and makes me laugh constantly. He's my little buddy while the others are at school, the best lunch date/errand runner a gal could ask for! We love you, Jaxon!

Now to get you weaned from that sippy cup (his "nunni") you adore...