![\"dsc_5753\"](\"http:\/\/elhogue.com\/shannah\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/DSC_5753.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n…now look like THIS.<\/p>\n
And what amazing little people they are becoming.<\/p>\n Alexander\u00a0is\u00a0a learner and thinker. If he’s interested in something, he becomes a veritable encyclopedia about it, and whatever he learns, he shares in crazy detail with whoever will listen. He is also quite a collector; he’s got a “village” in his bedroom for the family of stuffed dogs he’s been given (or managed to talk his siblings into letting him have). But Scruffy Puppy is still the favorite, no question.<\/p>\n Our Alex loves to laugh. He loves jokes. And\u00a0he’s super creative. He draws all the time, and he writes books and stories. He’s even started to\u00a0brainstorm a video game he’d like to create someday. And he\u00a0enjoys the outdoors. He loves to go to the barn when Daddy does the cows’ foot baths. He loves the trampoline and wandering down at the creek. And\u00a0because he’s in Cub Scouts this year, he went fishing, camping, and shot a bow and arrow–all for the first time.<\/p>\n Erin Elizabeth is turning into a special lady, herself. She is a helper and order-keeper. She likes to know what to do and the “right” way to get it done.\u00a0She’s a voracious reader and a natural teacher (both Megan and Timmy have had “lessons”) and she loves to learn new things. She always says she likes lunch and recess best, but school is an easy fit for my smart and capable girl.<\/p>\n Erin loves sparkly, pretty things. She is a born night-owl. She has a collection of stuffed bunnies (still ruled over by Jingle Bunny, of course). She loves to jump on the trampoline and play with friends, In fact, the measure of a good time is always whether a friend was there to do it with her. And she is a great, great friend. She’s considerate of others, always wants to help, and no\u00a0one is better\u00a0at thinking of others than my Erin-girl.<\/p>\n Being twins, they still have to share a lot (like birthdays). But every year, they’re growing up into special individuals. They have faced\u00a0many\u00a0new challenges this year; they are learning to deal with more difficult things. But each one is a natural support and encourager for the other. They protect each other. They rarely fight.\u00a0And I am thrilled to see them connect with Jesus more, also in their own special way. Alex was deeply touched by the concept of a “peacemaker” in Sunday School, and Erin loves to read the Bible on her own more and more.<\/p>\n These two little people rocked my world 8 years ago today. They are\u00a0unique individuals\u00a0and a powerful team, but they are and will always\u00a0be wonderful gifts to our family.<\/p>\n Happy Birthday, Alex and Erin. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Can you believe it? These two little wrinkly peanuts… …now look like THIS. And what amazing little people they are becoming. Alexander\u00a0is\u00a0a learner and thinker. If he’s interested in something, he becomes a veritable encyclopedia about it, and whatever he … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n