Happy Birthday Naomi

Its hard to believe (it always is) that my baby is a year old today! Its stunning how quickly a year can pass as you learn to parent a new person. It feels like she got here... but like she's always been here, you know?

  

 I love to reminisce about the day she was born. It was a beautiful and super speedy birth. She was born in 2.5 hours from beginning to end. I still can't believe how quickly my birthing experience unfolded with her.

 

 All of my children were born in the middle of the night and even though I was extremely tired by the time they were born, I couldn't sleep all the next day. My very favorite memories from the hospital are watching the sun rise over my new children for the first time. I had this experience with each of them and I will never forget how special it was to be alone with them as the sun touched their skin for the first time.

We love her, of course, and can't imagine life without her. What an amazing blessing and gift from God our precious Naomi Evangeline is to us!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!

Elijah's Birthday!

I can hardly believe that its been 5 years since Gabe and I were blessed enough to bring our Elijah into the world. He is in turns extremely thoughtful and serious, then silly and wild. He is quick in mind and body. He's adventurous and brave, curious and observant. He's just the coolest. We have to thank God everyday for the blessing of Elijah.

His birthday weekend overlapped with the visit of Gabe's brother Micah and his family. The weekend was filled with one huge family gathering after another. Elijah is one of 20 grand kids on this side of the family.  It's a party! Whew! Here are a few pictures :

Gabe and Elijah rode go-carts to start the day.
We had a cookout with some of his favorite foods, burgers and corn on the cob.
We had cake and ice cream and presents (his favorite was a Transformer from Uncle Micah).
Oh, and a pinata and water balloons, what a blast!

Adah's Birthday!

Adah celebrated her 3rd birthday this month! Oh my goodness, we love her! She is such a sweet and funny little girl. She lights up our lives with her sparkling personality. We are blessed beyond measure to be her family.

Happy Birthday Elijah Gabriel!

Yesterday was Elijah's birthday! My family drove up from South Carolina to surprise him. We all took a trip to Fun Depot for some birthday chaos. After the Fun Depot, we returned home for cupcakes and presents. We rested for a bit then drove to Hendersonville to have dinner with Nana (Gabe's mom), Aunt Hope and a few sweet cousins. I think he had a very fun day! In the midst of all the action, I only took a few lousy pictures.  I do have this short video clip to remind us of the day:

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! On the day you were born, my ability to love grew one thousand fold. Suddenly I was needed and had a purpose in life:  to protect and love this tiny life. And though you're not tiny anymore, my purpose is the same. Being a mom, your mom has brought me so much joy and fullness. Over these last four years, I've learned what true sacrificial love/ agape love is... the love that loves despite what the other person does or says, how they treat you, what they do or don't do for you. And because of that, I feel like a better person. Being your mother has made me a better person. You make me laugh, cry and scream. You may make me happy and I am so thankful to have you in our lives.

Happy Birthday Adah Lucia !

Two years ago today Adah Lucia was born! I didn't think it was possible to love another as much as I love her brother, but of course, I was wrong. Look at this sweet face! I never had a clue what kind of person she would grow to be. I still don't know! Its so awe inspiring to watch her morph into a totally unique person with a totally unique personality. Its so simply obvious, but who can understand it- There has never before been nor never again will there be another person like this one! How marvelous and thrilling to be a part of her life.

I am mystified by her. Who is she? What a gift to watch your child unfold before your eyes, revealing bit by bit who they were divinely created to be.

Here is a photo tour of her special day. It didn't work out to have a party for Adah today. Determined to make her day special anyways, I dolled her up and took her on a tour of her favorite people. First stop, Nana's house:

Then off to Greenville to meet my parents for a playdate at an indoor play center. 

Check out E and A's faces when they saw Mimi and Pop-Pop walk in:

 My folks took us to lunch at a adorable and delicious cafe, where we also enjoyed cake, candles, balloons and presents:

Lastly, we stopped by Daddy's work for another round of cake, candles and presents and of course, Daddy-love:

I thank God everyday for creating Adah and putting her in our family and for making her the amazing, bright, bubbly, sweet, beautiful girl that she is. I feel like the most blessed mom in the world to have such a special daughter!