A Stake in the Ground
Wednesday was wonderful. We celebrated the first anniversary of
James' arrival into our lives - his birthday that is :) It was
bittersweet - but mostly sweet. There was a very real fear in my heart
that it would be hard to celebrate knowing all that was behind us but
looking at all that is before us overwhelmed it (in a good way).
Little man thought that an early morning would be a good reminder - he was born at 5:52 am and wouldn't you know we were awake together yesterday morning at that time. He's such a sweet little man - and his big sister loves him so tenderly (at least tenderly in her heart but she can be a little rough sometimes) - it's beautiful. At Target on Tuesday Anna had decided she needed to pick out a birthday present and yesterday morning she gleefully shoved a green, squishy toy into his face and excitedly announced Happy Birthday. The pictures don't do it justice but I'll post those - needless to say - Jamesey wasn't nearly as ecstatic about strange objects flying at his face but I suppose he'll keep getting used to his big sister's exuberant sharing.
We knew he was going to have a big day with his physical therapy and his hearing therapy and then our little party, but little man is tough! He did great in PT and then his Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) so sweetly brought a celebration for him. It was charming to see how entranced he was with the balloon - he was tracking it with his eyes and oh my goodness the talking that he did - it was so sweet. He wasn't sure what to make of the candle but his little eyes sure watched that flame!
Later in the evening we were blessed to celebrate with some dear friends - it was incredibly beautiful just to see the outpouring of love. The number of wee ones surrounded by parents who are committed to raising their children to love and honor God not to mention who will teach them to respect and value one another - it was beyond words. Speaking of outpourings well we had such an amazing answer to prayer. The forecast was calling for thunderstorms and our picnic was going to be outside by the water - well wouldn't you know that dark clouds began rolling in and big old raindrops began falling while we were waiting for our guests to arrive - prayers were pouring out fast and furious and they were heard in a big way! It rained all around us - but not on us beyond a few drops! How amazing is that! Such a God thing! Kiddos had a great time, parents got to chat, we learned that tennis courts are a great place for little legs to dash around and that creeks are soothing. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate little mans first year and to enjoy the company of lovely people.
After it was all said and done, trash cleaned up and kids in bed (I might add that Anna kept herself up quite late - in the spirit of the Berenstein Bears we'll claim "Too Much Birthday" ), I hopped online and oh my heart was full. Thank you for the notes of encouragement, the words of hope and the reminders of God's love. You celebrated with us whether you were physically with us or far away and that blessing is tremendous! Thank you for the prayers you send heavenward on our behalf - for the pleas you issue on the part of our family - we love you.
Despite all of the challenges of the past year it has been tremendously full of blessing. Little Man has brought so much to our family. Anna is healthy, happy & an absolute delight. Faith, Family, Home, Life, Work - have had their moments but through it all God is good and is triumphant in all. Jamesey's birthday has been significant in many ways for me but it's also providing a time to place a stake in the ground claiming God's presence in the last year and in the coming year with little man. We are moving forward and our family will continue to seek His face in all we do. One final note - two scriptures really emerged from my devotions on the day of Jamesey's birthday and the day after.
James 1:2 is a well-known passage "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy" (NLT). The other is Phil. 4: 13-14 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was (is) good of you to share in my troubles." Thank you for sharing.
Little man thought that an early morning would be a good reminder - he was born at 5:52 am and wouldn't you know we were awake together yesterday morning at that time. He's such a sweet little man - and his big sister loves him so tenderly (at least tenderly in her heart but she can be a little rough sometimes) - it's beautiful. At Target on Tuesday Anna had decided she needed to pick out a birthday present and yesterday morning she gleefully shoved a green, squishy toy into his face and excitedly announced Happy Birthday. The pictures don't do it justice but I'll post those - needless to say - Jamesey wasn't nearly as ecstatic about strange objects flying at his face but I suppose he'll keep getting used to his big sister's exuberant sharing.
We knew he was going to have a big day with his physical therapy and his hearing therapy and then our little party, but little man is tough! He did great in PT and then his Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) so sweetly brought a celebration for him. It was charming to see how entranced he was with the balloon - he was tracking it with his eyes and oh my goodness the talking that he did - it was so sweet. He wasn't sure what to make of the candle but his little eyes sure watched that flame!
Later in the evening we were blessed to celebrate with some dear friends - it was incredibly beautiful just to see the outpouring of love. The number of wee ones surrounded by parents who are committed to raising their children to love and honor God not to mention who will teach them to respect and value one another - it was beyond words. Speaking of outpourings well we had such an amazing answer to prayer. The forecast was calling for thunderstorms and our picnic was going to be outside by the water - well wouldn't you know that dark clouds began rolling in and big old raindrops began falling while we were waiting for our guests to arrive - prayers were pouring out fast and furious and they were heard in a big way! It rained all around us - but not on us beyond a few drops! How amazing is that! Such a God thing! Kiddos had a great time, parents got to chat, we learned that tennis courts are a great place for little legs to dash around and that creeks are soothing. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate little mans first year and to enjoy the company of lovely people.
After it was all said and done, trash cleaned up and kids in bed (I might add that Anna kept herself up quite late - in the spirit of the Berenstein Bears we'll claim "Too Much Birthday" ), I hopped online and oh my heart was full. Thank you for the notes of encouragement, the words of hope and the reminders of God's love. You celebrated with us whether you were physically with us or far away and that blessing is tremendous! Thank you for the prayers you send heavenward on our behalf - for the pleas you issue on the part of our family - we love you.
Despite all of the challenges of the past year it has been tremendously full of blessing. Little Man has brought so much to our family. Anna is healthy, happy & an absolute delight. Faith, Family, Home, Life, Work - have had their moments but through it all God is good and is triumphant in all. Jamesey's birthday has been significant in many ways for me but it's also providing a time to place a stake in the ground claiming God's presence in the last year and in the coming year with little man. We are moving forward and our family will continue to seek His face in all we do. One final note - two scriptures really emerged from my devotions on the day of Jamesey's birthday and the day after.
James 1:2 is a well-known passage "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy" (NLT). The other is Phil. 4: 13-14 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was (is) good of you to share in my troubles." Thank you for sharing.
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