cousins and birthdays

We managed to get a group photo while Todd's family was here visiting! I am learning our "new" computer and still have no idea how to use our photo program to crop this pic - sorry. :)


Delightful little girl cousin Addy! They look like they're having the sweetest conversation.


Ahhh, wrapping paper, what fun! These photos were from Elijah's birthday three weeks ago. :)



Along with Elijah's cousins, some of his little and big friends were able to come to his party at the park near our house. Thanks, guys, Elijah loved his party!

aahh, summer!

Ever feel like life is flying by so fast you can hardly keep up with all the beautiful moments you want to remember always? The past few weeks have been like that for me. Here are a few pictures of our days...not necessarily in order!

I can hardly believe, Lord, that You've blessed me so much. I cherish the gifts of a son and a husband who honors You. Even every breath is a gift from You.

Joy and pain...tapestry of life. Joy to give us little tastes of heaven. Pain to remind us that we're not home yet.

Happy 3rd birthday, little man!


Cousin Bridger is helping try out Elijah's scooter. Thanks, Uncle T and Aunt C, for making his new (birthday) wheels! You are so creative!


Breakfast with everybody...happy, ordinary life! We felt so blessed to have Todd's family helping us celebrate Elijah's b-day.


Our new-found favorite beach at the lake.


Getting ready to dip his toes.


Our little happy family!



Holding a rock and listening to Grandma.


My boy, I love you!


This pose, so "normal" for most kids, is actually a LOT of effort and Elijah can't maintain it for long. We're excited that he's trying, though!


At Grouse Creek with our friends, Rusty and Linda, and their puppy.






This is before the haircut of a few weeks ago. Love those curls!


And now, I am off to make some more memories, hiking with my men. I have more pictures to show you but they'll have to wait! Love to you all from Idaho.

To My Son...

Three years since you were born, my little son. Three! Seems like both an eternity and a flash.

I celebrate you, my little boy. I am so grateful that I am privileged to be your mother. You've come so far and God has granted us many gifts in your life. I love, love, love that you can smile so much now and even "laugh" on rare occasions.

You are very loved...enjoyed...cherished.

It makes me smile to see how much you love music. There is so much music in your soul, I think. Sometimes you open your mouth like you wish you could sing, and that melts me!

You are a boyish boy, loving excitement and thrills and anything that makes crashing, banging noises! Daddy calls you the adrenaline junkie.

I love my little quiet times with you. I love how you turn your cheek to get kisses and how responsive you are to our voices. You always know when we're in the room.

Thank you for reminding us that life is a vapor and there is much more ahead than can be grasped today in this temporary life. As we loosen our hold on things that do not matter, you remind us to hang on tight to what does.

It doesn't matter what people think. It doesn't matter what our "image" is. It doesn't matter that we aren't the perfect little family I always pictured we would be, or that people probably identify us as "the family with the handicapped kid". I am so thankful for the painful lessons you are helping me through, Elijah...lessons about humility, pride, and basing my self-concept on the right things. (If I were not proud to begin with, it wouldn't hurt so much to learn 'em!)

Your name means, 'Jehovah is God'. The same God who rolled back the Red Sea and sent ravens to bring food, who tumbled the mighty walls of Jericho, who created every living thing from nothing -- this God is your God.

We are thankful for every moment with you. We pray for the "impossible", that you will someday walk and talk...but mostly that you will know you are loved.

Happy Birthday, Bubby!


Love, Mummy