Birthday on the Road



Sporting Clemson at the Canyon! We are proud of our Tigers!

The next day we left Vegas (we also love to visit the Bass Pro Shop there) and headed to the Grand Canyon. We planned on sightseeing the Southern Rim, like most tourists. However, as providence had it, we were surprised to find ourselves at the Northern Rim. It was beautiful and reminded us much more of Yosemite. We decided to save the Southern Rim for another time:). It was quite a drive down the old Route 66 (from Cars) and we finally made it to Flagstaff for dinner with Gray Gray and Papa . . . the kids even had time for a late swim.

The beautiful North Rim

Taken while driving Route 66, a double rainbow. It was a beautiful drive.

Hannah turns 9!

My folks were staying at a timeshare in Flagstaff and were gracious to let us barge in on them for a night. They had a nice two bedroom unit on three levels and was fun to see them and Hannah was happy to have grandparents celebrate her birthday with her. Not quite breakfast in bed, but the chair was pretty nice.

Josh and Hannah

Funny. At the timeshare, invading Gray Gray and Papa's room:) Sarah makes herself at home on the pillows!

Sarah's instagram of the Canyon! Jael is so goofy:)

Hannah Esther Micu, born August 4, 2004. She was due in July. . .but like many of her siblings decided to wait a bit. It was a stressful time in my life. We decided to try the market and put our "starter" home up for sale in July while on vacation. It sold immediately and was due to close August 24th. My last months of pregnancy were full of packing and crying. Crying because although we sold high, we couldn't find another home. We still had no home options the day she arrived. She was a little girl, 6 lbs. 12 oz. She beat her big sister Sarah's birth weight by two ounces but that's it:). She and Sarah are very similiar in build, both in the 80% for height and under the 10% for weight (Sarah is finally enjoying it!). Due on July 23rd, I finally went in for induction on that Wednesday the 4th. It was a long day. Hannah arrived around 4:30pm and was a more difficult delivery. Her position was off and she was delivered opposite of what babies are usually, I forget. Her shoulder also got hung up and she ended up arriving fairly bruised and battered. But beautiful. She was a very fussy baby and her eyes are red in most pictures, or she is crying:). I blame it on the stress hormones - but she also did not tolerate milk. She still doesn't. The extra crying that first year was totally worth the sweet little toddler and delight we now enjoy. She's my miracle of mercy. Not planning on having more after four (initially - another story), God displayed incredible mercy by giving me a 5th child who was "normal." She's my only child who actually sat and stayed and didn't color on the walls(all Micus), jump off high things (Joey), climb counters (Josh).. . pull chairs to open doors to get outside (Miriam), tear apart cribs (Bekah), throw major tantrums (Jon and Naomi), or wander (Jael). Hannah is the only quiet child in our home. She's so quiet and still that she's been left several times - I am always keeping my eyes on the wild kids. Hannah has a beautiful quiet and gentle spirit that I love and admire. She is lots of fun and her giggles are contagious. She loves animals and most come to her easily. She is a wonderful artist and is growing in her cooking and homemaking skills.

What a welcome addition to the family. Child of grace.