Noa turned one yesterday and we had a wonderful day celebrating her life and enjoying our precious little girl. She is such a blessing to us! I just cried last night after putting her to bed and talking to Eric about how much she has changed our lives and drawn us closer to each other and to the Lord.
We are going to have a picnic on Sunday with my family and some families from church, but for last night we had a mini party with our friends Chizuka and Ai.
Noa had her first sweets as birthday cake. I bought some amazingly yummy mini cheesecakes and chocolate cakes at a local bakery to use for birthday cake (Noa only had the cheesecake). This is my favorite photo of Noa’s initial reaction to her candle and happy birthday song.
She really loved the attention, though, so she got over her fear.
She has recently learned how to blow kisses so we thought it would be no big deal for her to blow out one candle. Not so much. All she wanted to do was touch that candle and see what it was made of. Eventually, we all blew it out together, and then about 2 minutes later she started blowing (delayed reaction I guess).
Ai is the Japanese track teacher at CCSI, the school where Eric teaches. She teaches 4 grades of Japanese children (6 kids) AND writes her curriculum as she goes. She is an amazing woman of faith, to be doing this job not knowing even if the Japanese part of the school will be around from year to year. But its very clear that not only has the Lord called her to this, but he has gifted her for it as well. We have really appreciated getting to know her and Eric is blessed to get to work across the hall from her.
Chizuka is my dear friend from years ago and now roommates with Ai. She is also a beautiful woman of faith and has remained a sweet friend over the years. It is so great to be able to see her regularly again and catch up on her life. She and I are going to try to pray together regularly for the purpose of fellowship and growth, but also to help my Japanese 
I am really excited that Eric and Noa get to know her too.
Noa received several packages in the mail this last week or two and got to open them yesterday. Grammy and Grandpa sent her a Stone Harbor sweatshirt that will be great this fall. THANK YOU, wonderful GRANDS! We wish you were here to celebrate with us! She sure loved unwrapping it!
She also really loved reading her cards (what a good girl). Even this morning, she has just sat on the floor looking at all her birthday cards and reading them like they are books.
Her friend Lucy sent her a bag of lots of goodies. She got some American snacks, crayons, books, learning games, a beautiful shirt, and some piggy slippers. Lucy will be one soon too, so Noa needs to find some fun Japanese birthday gifts for her. THANK YOU, LUCY and SEAN and LINDSEY!!! We love and miss you guys!
Aunt Laura and Clayt sent Noa a package too. Her favorite gift from them is the special Noa-proof photo album with pictures of the people at home in America that Noa misses SO MUCH. They also sent some special American snacks along with some warm clothes for the cold weather and some great (and very stylish) winter boots. THANK YOU! What thoughtful and precious gifts!
I really like this picture with Noa’s new “piggy feet”. How cute are those slippers? 
Eric and I got Noa a shopping cart with play groceries (you can see them in some of the photos). It turns out to be a great gift, as she can’t stop playing with her play foods. I’ve already found one of her eggs in a kitchen cupboard! I’m also hoping that the shopping cart will be a good help as Noa learns how to walk.
Thank you to all of you who sent Noa birthday wishes and love. She didn’t really understand what all the fuss is about but Eric and I are so blessed by people showering our daughter with love and also for the prayers that surround her life. God has already been so good to her, in just one year! We thank and praise Him above all.
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