Ellie was the first to move, the first to flip, and the first to speak her truth. From crawling across the floor to landing a full like a boss, this girl’s got agility in her body and fire in her heart.
She doesn’t sugarcoat it; her words are honest, real, and rooted in deep empathy. She feels big, loves hard, and shows up for others walking tough roads with bravery and fierce compassion. Ellie Rose makes this world better with every leap, word, and hug. Here’s to 12 years of athleticism, advocacy, and authenticity!
With a heart full of magic and a head full of imagination, Lily has kept our world enchanted from the start. Fairies? Real. Unicorns? Obviously. Possibility? Endless.
She’s the kind of friend and sister who loves fiercely, forgives quickly, and makes you laugh when you need it most. Her joy is contagious, her loyalty unmatched and her gymnastics skills purely reflect her life’s philosophy – YOLO.
Here’s to 12 years of laughter, loyalty, and leotards sprinkled with sparkles and furry sidekicks. Life with Lily is simply… fun!
Full of fire and determination, Kali Mae pours her heart into everything she does, giving 100% in all her endeavors. She loves deeply, tries tirelessly, and feels intensely. With a tender heart and a radiant smile, she has the power to light up any room with her bright eyes. She is our sunshine, spreading warmth and joy wherever she goes!
Destined for greatness, Ellie is a natural leader with wisdom beyond her years. She has an extraordinary ability to navigate complex situations and provide clear, insightful decisions and advice. Her passion for gymnastics drives her to constantly challenge herself and strive for improvement, finding immense joy in her progress and achievements.
Lively and imaginative, Lily is a fun-loving girl! She is our monkey in the middle, but she may prefer lion in the middle. She’s always bringing a burst of energy and creativity wherever she goes. Loyal to her friends and passionate about all that she does. When she’s not dazzling on the gymnastics mat, she’s lost in the magical worlds of fairy tales and musicals, where her talent as a performer truly shines.
Theo embodies patience, kindness, curiosity, and has a steady nature. His disposition brings a sense of calm and warmth to everyone around him which is quite a feat when you have four sisters who share your birthday. A true baseball fanatic, he immerses himself in the game, both as a player and a dedicated fan. He cherishes the time spent watching and playing sports with his dad and anyone else who will join him. His gentle nature and unwavering curiosity make him a joy to be around; we learn something new every day from Mr. Theo.
Birthdays are a welcomed time for nostalgia and as a strong INFJ, I love to reminisce!
The number 11 has always carried significance in my life. When I was younger it was angel time. Something that felt magical about consistently glancing at the clock at 11:11 am and sneaking in a wish or a prayer. Today, this holds true. There are schools of thought around numerology and deeper connections to realms beyond our own. While I don’t ascribe to this system of thought, I can’t deny the alignment that this number fosters. In some circles, 11 also represents a season of transition. As we approach the V5’s 11th birthday, we are certainly in a season of transition.
Last year, we celebrated the onset of double digits. This year, we are amidst a move to middle school, changing bodies, expanding minds and harder questions about life, significance, and belief systems. We are also witness to bigger feelings and emotions… anxiety, fear, sadness, anger and even rage. Frank and I continue to partner to expose the kiddos to coping strategies that will bring peace amidst the change and will stay with them as life gets harder. In this, we remind ourselves of the value that personal time outs can provide.
We move forward in making new memories to look back on in the not-too-distant future. Please join us celebrating our miracles and this year’s looking back series!
Bella is a pillar of strength in mind, body, and spirit in our rambunctious family. As a quiet leader, she inspires others with her actions and demeanor. She finds joy in reading, writing, and art, channeling her creativity into beautiful expressions. Her passion for gymnastics showcases her dedication and power. Beloved as a sister, daughter, granddaughter and friend, she is always there to lend a helping hand. Bella you’re a cherished presence.
Change is funny. Sometimes it happens suddenly without subtle warning. Other times, there are hints that something is different or will be. Last night, Frank and I were chatting about the journey our family has been on for well… for the last 10 years… and this week felt different.
Frank describes this journey as if you’re on the beach and you see an island in the distance. You know you want to get to that island, but do so you need a boat and, on the boat, you need tools to fare well in the sea. You also can’t go alone because that may be nice for a day but then we’d end up like Tom Hanks in Castaway. The vision, the boat, the tools, those are easy to obtain. The hard part is getting other people to join you on the boat. Well, yesterday we realized that our boat was full and ready to sail!
We have been pouring concentrated time and energy into behavioral and mental health care for all members of our family over the last several years. Life is hard. Life is harder when you have to share; Share a room, a birthday, your parents’ attention, or dare I say a pair of shoes! We are committed to raising our kids like a garden. We planted the seeds and they all sprouted on the same day. We can’t control the plants, only the soil, food and sunshine!
While I’ve been trying to tame my advice monster, I will give in and share a few resources that have supported us in getting on the “boat.”
Family TV shows that can only be watched when everyone is present
Family Dinner
“Special Time” (This is what we call the 5-10 minutes at bedtime where kiddos’ get 1:1 attention from each parent)
Family Events:
Your Day: We just started celebrating each child on their own day. This may be unique to multiples. It gives them their own day each year to be recognized for who they are.
Breakfast dates with Dad
Afternoon walks with Mom
Helpful Prompts:
Roses & Thorns (We often do this around the dinner table)
What are 2 big feelings you felt today?
What does “home” mean to you?
What do you love or admire most about ___?
What would our family be missing without ___?
I write this knowing full well that it’s easier to talk about hard times after they’re in the rearview mirror. I also write this with the intention to share that our voyage is just getting started and as an invitation to connect with others who may have a difficult, messy or confusing situation. We were made to walk life together.
Sweet Bella Bean continues to walk to the beat of her own drum. She remains our fearless fashionista who can make any pattern or color scheme work. Her pace of life is about as fast as the clouds passing by. Her cadence paired with her empathy is a divine recipe. She has a sixth sense about noticing God’s handiwork from natural anomalies to a water color sunset. Bella is also the first to know who needs a hug. Her big hugs squeeze the hardship right out of you, leaving room for all her love she has to share.
Bump 2 Bab[y]ies 