Happy Birthday Bug

Seven years ago, I was actually sleeping right now at this very moment (thanks to a half epidural) and resting after having been in natural labor for 8 hours. However, soon I would awaken to strong contractions and the birth of my very first child. A son....

You were 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 inches long. A son....I could hardly believe how beautiful you were. Daddy and I were filled with so many thoughts about this moment, but most of all were were just extremely grateful. It took us 3 1/2 years to have you and blessed doesn't seem to come close to how we felt.

You are very independent, a thinker and a seeker of knowledge. You always want to help and have a job, as well as ask many many questions about how, when, why, where and what...... You are most often quite serious for a boy your age, but if I find you any other way, it is most often being silly with one of your brothers or your daddy!


I have loved watching you grow into a young man and I enjoy watching you "work out the world" in your mind all the time. I so often come in the kitchen to find that you have cleaned it all up, you love to make breakfast for us all on Saturdays and are the first to volunteer to help with Evan. Thank you for your heart that wants to serve and help.

I also love when we go on dates~ it is so fun watching you be the "man" and open doors, order and pay the bill! You, of course, also LOVE date night with mommy! You are a wonderful athlete and I look forward to watching you grow more over this next year!

Happy Birthday Bug, we love you!

This is one of my favorite photos from this past summer at our family photo session. You were hot and very tired and asked me to carry you. I couldn't resist because you will not be this size forever and soon I will not be able to carry you. I had to seize the chance while I still could! Love you my firstborn little man...

Happy Birthday Bug!

I know! Mama feels the same way...today you are turning 5! I cannot believe how much you have grown. Oh my precious Eli, I pray that you continue growing in the truth of God and that one day soon, He will fully reveal Himself to your heart and you will bow your knee to our amazing God. I pray for your eyes to be fully opened to see the darkness of your own heart and the beauty of the free gift of salvation. Jesus Christ is worth living for with all that you have been and will be given in your life! I pray that you will come to a complete understanding of being a passionate follower of Jesus Christ!

Last night Mommy & Daddy asked you what the best part of being four was~ and you said..."That I got to be 4, for so long." Oh, you make us smile!

You say so many things that make us smile, so I wanted to capture some of my favorites....

"Mommy! You are disobeying the instructions!" (cooking one day when I changed the ingredients)

"You don't grow by eating vegetables, you grow by having birthdays!"

"Daddy really loves badasco (tabasco)."

"Isn't it fun having good Eli around?"

Wesley had just jump-started the car and was letting it run. Eli asked me why and I told him that Daddy was letting it run to give it some juice. Eli replied by saying, "I didn't know that juice came out when it ran."

I also love every time to ask to eat "logrit" (yogurt).

"Mommy do you have a plan for the day?"

Happy Birthday my big boy! I am loving my life being your mama, it is so full and fun each and every day!

A Mother's Legacy

Today is my Mama's birthday and I want to say, "Happy Birthday, Mom!"

My mom has had a profound influence on my life and she is the first woman I think of when someone asks me who has had the greatest influence on me as a woman. This is a small tribute to her and all that she has meant to me my whole life...

She is a survivor.

She is a woman who loves her amazing God.

She is determined to live her life in such a way that it positively impacts those around her.

She is devoted to her family and sees the value of investing in her children's lives.

She has faith in what she cannot always see, because she trusts in God.

She is adventurous.

She is one who works diligently at all she puts her hands to.

She challenges herself and is always looking for opportunity to grow and learn.

She loves deeply and whole-heartedly.

She is a one who has left a beautiful legacy to her children of a woman who fears the Lord and works hard each day to make a difference in the place God has placed her. I am most grateful that she has taught me how to love, how to trust God and how to live life to the fullest.

Thank you mama~ Happy Birthday!