Clay: How can he be two?

We loved having the Moffits come visit on their way to the Philippines a few weeks ago! So encouraging to us!!! This was apparently a serious conversation.

A blueberry pickin' phenomenon! :)

These two were a hoot together. The dirt piles saw lots of digging when they were together!

Sweet brothers in their cozy flannels. It's getting cold here!

Look at those bright eyes!

Little Lukie turned two! He seemed to enjoy his birthday so much. Todd and I enjoyed it, too. :) It was very joyous to see him enjoying presents and blowing out his own candles and eating his blueberry pie. Strange to think that I've been a momma for over six years now, but this is the first birthday at our house where that's been true in a 'normal' sense. God truly gives abundant grace, but for me, Elijah's birthdays have been mixed with a lot of sadness. I laughed so much with Luke and it seemed like such a precious day for all of us.

Sometimes I feel guilty that it's so much easier to enjoy Luke and the stuff he does, his laugh, the things he says, the energy and life he brings to our family. It also is astonishing how much change has happened in the past two years. The process of human development is miraculous and a gift from God. I know in my head that all of the challenges Elijah faces are also a "GIFT" -- but so, so many days they don't feel that way. It takes conscious decision on our parts to embrace the ache in our hearts, to ask God for compassion, to beg God to transform the ugly selfishness of our own hearts - to help us die to ourselves so we can find what is real and lasting and lovely.

God is working on us and I am enormously thankful. I'm thankful for this beautiful life He's given us, the five of us. Beautiful because we're learning how to love. We have to learn how because we stink at it on our own. Love, love, love...it only comes from You, Lord!