One-derful

It was a day I knew would come...and I as much as I willed it not to...I was sort of looking forward to it.

I knew she would love a party. She's an active, social little gal and lots of people and kids and snacks are right up her alley.

We prepped the house and iced the cakes and put her in the perfect outfit and she was a doll. Our little one-year, 12-month, 365 day-old doll.

Mama sniffled and reminisced and spent a good 36-hour period thinking, "a year ago at this time, I was feeling my first contraction."

"A year ago at this time, we were in recovery."

"A year ago...."

And on it went.

Until I snapped out of it and into celebration mode.


'Cause when the good Lord blesses you abundantly, I think that's a cause for celebration! Praise and thanksgiving of course. And celebration.

She sat still long enough for ONE photo, then was off and running.



After ample playtime, we did cake. Dad did the honors...

...and she enjoyed several handfuls of buttercream icing, before I decided it was time to stop.

The "Happy Birthday" singing crowd caused her eyes to widen a bit, but she took it in stride.

There were lots of cuddles...

and friends and presents...

... and during the chaos of gift bags that were taller than she and big(ger) kiddos clammoring "Anna, open mine!" she bolted.

Just up and left and went outside to play...

...while the other kids enjoyed opening her gifts! :)

The party also happened to fall during a certain game (we won) so the re was a wardrobe change mid-party so the birthday girl was game-ready.

Here she snuggled her little buddy. Lately, she gives hugs. Seriously solid, open-armed, head-resting on your chest for a second embraces. It's adorable and she was generous that day.

It was a great day to celebrate our girl, the blessing that she is and the fact that we've retained our sanity after a year of parenting!

This life? It's fun. I can't wait for many more years of party's celebrating my sweetie.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His
face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Safety Net

Oh, my goodness.

I have been too busy to blog. I'm trying to get a handle on my life and have, as my mother calls them, "margins."

There are none right now. Travel and work and baby and household and nasty bout of the stomach flu have my home in a constant state of dissary. And I don't even know how to spell dissary.

And spending time with and enjoying this baby is my #1 priority. The blog updating will have to wait, cause babies? They don't keep.

As a matter of fact, you BLINK and they're 8 months old. 8.

And pulling up on things and walking supported and dive-bombing off chairs...



...lucky their grand-dads...



...are there to catch them.



This week?

He was there to catch me, too.

I am so thankful for him.

Nothing like knowing your father is always there to catch you.

Joining Her Faith Family

This weekend our Anna was baptized! It was a very nice ceremony and so meaningful to her dad and I. Though views on infant baptism vs. dedication vary in our family, our church baptizes the babies and that is what we decided to do.

Anna made it very memorable by crying loudly the second the pastor took her. She cried during the actual baptism/anointing, but then stopped crying immediately upon being handed to her dad. Several people later remarked to me how sweet it was that she was so comforted by being given to her daddy!

The ceremony focused on our commitment to raise Anna in a home where faith is discussed, demonstrated and valued. We vowed to raise Anna in the church and to know the Lord.


We feel so blessed to have been given this child to raise, we were happy to commit to raising her to know about God and Jesus and live a Christ-like life.

Over the last few years, there were many Sundays I would sit in church, watch the babies be baptized, and pray that God would bless us with a baby of our own. Those were hard days. Now that that prayer has been answered, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to stop praising the Lord!!

It was special to have my parents here for the occasion.


Anna's Godparents were only too happy to snuggle her as well.
We are so thankful for this tangible reminder of God's graciousness.


From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
~Psalm 113:3

Christmas Thoughts...

Our pastor has been doing a series on parts of the Christmas story we may not know a whole lot about. Last week he talked about the journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. When Mary days away from delivering her baby. A trip they took on foot (or donkey, perhaps, but really I can't imagine that to be much better than walking), through mountains and wilderness and desert, for several days. He showed video of that part of Israel. While anyone would feel bad for her, being so recently pregnant, I can't imagine. Then delivering among animals. Wow.

I imagine that Mary was as enamored with her baby as I am with mine...and to know he was the Son of God? Her mind must have been blown. This passage, called "Mary's Prayer" from a Max Lucado book has always struck me as a powerful read. But this year, as I marvel at the "parts" on my baby...it has a whole new meaning.

What a special time of year.

Thankful

For the feel of her head against my cheek. I snuggle her close, relishing how well she fits with her head on my chest, my arm under her bum, my other hand covering her back. We sway and sway and sway while she drifts off to sleep.

For the sweet smell of her head.

For the coos rising from the bassinet in the morning.

For the crooked, Elvis-y smile.

For the layers of chub as she grows and thrives.

For the chance to get to do this. To experience this sweetness.

So thankful.

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:16-18

7 Years Ago

I was on a cruise ship in the Caribbean when it started. I watched the footage on TV.

Working as a local news reporter, it wasn't long before the first kid from our viewing area was killed in combat. His sister gave a couple interviews on behalf of the family. The brother was Saeth's age. She was mine. I'd never felt such obligation to tell a story well.

I can still hear the 21 gun salute.

Just a few weeks later, another one. We were invited by a family desperate to have their son honored and remembered, to cover the funeral. I was waiting in corner of the little church's entry area, trying to stay out of the way and as invisible as possible, when the bereaved parents and two teenage brothers walked in with the casket. They were left to wait for the service to begin.

They didn't see me in the corner, but I had no choice but to stand witness as they grasped one another and that casket and sobbed.

7 years. Of course, I'm blessed that these tragedies didn't hit any closer to home. These families are still in my mind...my heart. I wonder if they've healed? If they can heal?

Tonight, as the President gave his official speech ending the war, they're on my mind. I know hearts continue to break as families remember these losses or experience new ones. It's my prayer that they'll be comforted in a way only the Lord knows.

The President has vowed to fund Veteran's care more thoroughly. I hope that comes to fruition.

As someone who was never especially supportive of reasoning for this war, I thought this was especially poignant:

"...I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future."

The Couch

So we're getting new couches. Which means we're moving the ones we have to the basement and the ones in the basement (pictured up there) need to go.

They were hand-me-downs from Michael's parents. They're in good shape.

The original plan was to take them to Goodwill. But I realized if we list them on Craig's list and someone buys them, then they'll come pick them up. And we won't have to haul them away.

So I list them, and dozens of people call. Right away. At first I'm pleased, thinking "yes! couches hauled away and cash in my pocket!!"

Then, as I tell the callers I have a couple interested parties coming to look and can I call them back if no one takes it, they begin to tell me their stories.

"I was going to give it to my daughter and her husband for Christmas. They really need a couch."

"How is the hide-a-bed? My son is sleeping on the couch right now because we don't have a bed for him. Thought this might be a better option."

The picture quickly came into focus for me. I have 3 sets of couches. THREE! And I'm worried about the work of hauling it away?

What a timely reminder. A reminder of how blessed we are. Of how so many in our communities are in need. Of how, as Christians, it's our responsibility to demonstrate God's love by reaching out to people who need a hand. It could so easily be you or I making that phone call.

I'm thinking that we'll not be getting the cash for these couches...and we'll be glad that's how it worked out.