Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Happy Birthday, SammySam!!

Twelve years old. What can we say?

You're quiet, good-natured, and super funny in the most random moments.

You're giving some of your older siblings who are also mathematically inclined a run for their money, but half the time, you have your head in the clouds. Pretty sure you're contemplating time travel and quantum theory while you're up there. 

You're a sweetheart.

And you're super good at remembering to wear your retainer.


And SammySam, you're a gift from God. This we know — God was not caught by surprise when He made you and placed you in this family at this time in history.  He knows what He's doing, and I can't wait to see where He takes you in life.

But for right now, we're really glad that you're here, with us, and twelve years old.

Happy happy birthday, Son. We love you. 








Monday, April 12, 2021

Happy (belated) birthday, Talia!

So, Tally Shark...you're five!! (or, at least, you turned five six days ago. Sorry for the delayed post!)

Sweet, funny, beautiful girl, we are so thankful to have you in our family.

It's been a delight to see you really blossom this past year.

The world may have shut down, but you certainly didn't! You're laughing more often than not (what do Tally Sharks say? Heeheeehee). You love chatting with aunties and just about anyone you can find. You're a bundle of energy but also a sweet cuddle bug, during those rare moments that you're still. You're a big personality in a tiny package, and your inside voice is louder than most outside voices.

You're a good big sister and a delight to all of us.

We love you, TallyGirl, and as this next year brings new adventures, we hope you grow in confidence in how very much you are treasured.

Happy, happy birthday! 








Friday, March 26, 2021

Happy Birthday, JJ!

So...you're eight. 

You've been sweetly waiting for this day for a long time... and yet it kind of snuck up on many of us.

JJ, you are a love. You are kind and gentle. You are a favorite among your siblings. Your laugh is contagious. You love math, and you're a card shark. You're also a cuddle bug.  

You've taken off in your reading abilities this year. (Was it just last summer that you were worried that you would never learn to read because you had only been working on spelling??) But math time with mom is still one of your favorite times of the day (and maybe one of my favorites, too.)

We love you, son. God is kind to have put you in our family. May you be blessed by His love all the days of your life! 







Sunday, February 28, 2021

Happy 365th Day, Matthew!!

Some fun facts about this day:

-It's been 365 days since you were born

-Today, you're both a day short of being 12 months old and you're finishing your 12th month

-Tomorrow will be the first day of your thirteenth month 

-We'll celebrate your first birthday three years and one day from today

-Three years from tomorrow will be one day past your first birthday

-For a math-loving family, your birthday is the most fun of all!!

--

Sweet Son, though there are many "fun facts" about your birthdate...but many not-so-fun facts about that day as well. The most traumatic live birth of all our kids, you really scared us that day!

Sometimes life is just hard, and we don't always see the purpose in the hard on this side of Heaven. But sometimes....many times...God gives us the sweetest gifts in the midst of the greatest pain. And though we've been through some very hard times this past year, you, our son, are such a sweet, sweet gift. To all of us. 

We don't know what these next 365 days of life will hold for you...or for any of us...but we hope and pray that as you grow, you'll always know how very much we love you, and how very thankful we are that God saw fit to let you be in our family. And even more so, we hope you know how very good God is, always. Always.

Happy, happy quarter birthday to you!








Monday, January 18, 2021

Happy, happy birthday, Selah!!

Sweet Selah... 13!! A teenager!!

My words feel so far short of my emotions this year, in seeing you turn 13.

We're so very proud of you.

Yes, you're still very distractible and would much rather bake or have an adventure than do schoolwork or chores ... but honestly, you're growing up with so much grace and beauty that we're a bit blown away by you.

This past year has seen many difficult adjustments -- we've watched you respond with gratitude and optimism. So many times I've told you about one more thing that I thought would disappoint you, only to be blessed by your response: "That's okay, Mom. At least we can Zoom ..." or something similar. 

When I asked you recently how you were processing other hard issues, you responded, "It's hard ... but I know that God knows what He's doing."

I have to tell you, that grace, that gratitude, that faith in the midst of trying times ... each of these attributes are gifts from God, and you're wearing those gifts with such beauty and maturity that all I can do is praise Him for His kindness and goodness, expressed through you, sweet daughter. 

We love you, Sweet Selah, and we're so very thankful that God made you and gave you to us. We pray this next year you'll know even more richly and fully the wonders of God's love and grace in your life.

Happy, happy birthday, dear one!!!