Happy Birthday Second Grader!!

How is it already school time again? Where in the world did summer go? I suppose it could be that having twins has made the time fly by even more than normal. Either way, I cannot believe it is that time of year already.

This year I am going to have two kiddos in school but the Kindergartner doesn't start until next week so Nathan gets his own post. Fitting since the first day of school was also his birthday. He has never had a birthday that fell during the school year before so that made the day even more exciting in his eyes. Are we ready for the obligatory first day of school picture? It must be done! I made his sign using a free printable from Oh So Printable.

The last few years we have done a fun balloon surprise to start off the kids birthday (you can see the door waterfall from last year HERE) so we knew we wanted to come up with something again this year. My husband had a super fun idea to recreate our family using balloons. We had so much fun after the kids were in bed making a balloon head for each member of the family and staging them around the table. Here is what Nathan saw when he got home in the morning - the kids thought it was hilarious!

It's hard to see from far away but each balloon held a resemblance to someone in our house. My favorite was my husband's. Doesn't it look just like him?

We aren't doing parties for the bigger boys any more (don't worry they are still getting spoiled rotten with dinner at a restaurant of their choice along with other special one-on-one events) so I don't have any over the top themed stuff to share with you but I did make a card for my Angry Bird obsessed 7 year old. I thought it turned out pretty good for being free-hand! I really should see if they have an Angry Bird cartridge for the Cricut though.

I think I will say this for every birthday, but I can't believe we have a 7 year old. Time just seems to be flying by. Especially as I look at these tiny babies next to their big second grade brother....such a reminder of just how fast it goes.

Happy 7th Birthday Nathan and welcome to 2nd grade!

A Party in Heaven

I believe there is a birthday party going on in Heaven today. Oh how I wish I could attend. Just for one moment see your face, hold you tight, tell you how much I love you. Of course more than anything I would rather be having a party for you here. We could be excitedly phoning our friends and loved ones to tell them that you had finally arrived. Dozens of pictures being snapped as you take your first breath, meet your brothers for the first time, get passed around joyfully between people who are already full of love for you. Listen to your first cries...those beautiful baby cries that sound like nothing else on earth. Smell your head....oh that new baby smell is the best thing ever, especially when it is your new baby. Start to adjust to life as a family of 6.

Instead we can only imagine these things, mourn these things, just as we have done for several months now. For this was not the path laid out for you. For us. You had a different purpose in this life, one much bigger than the plans we made. It hurts. Hurt doesn't even begin to describe it. But we work each day to replace that hurt with hope. With understanding. With a realization that you are still here, if only in our hearts. We celebrate for you because you never have to know the pain of this world. You have gotten to strictly live a life of joy and peace with your Heavenly Father. How blessed are you! And one day, we will be together. The 6 of us as we should be. Until then, watch over us, will you?

And today - today you celebrate. Celebrate this day that will always be your birthday to me, even if we don't get to spend it with you here on Earth. Happy Birthday Baby. We love you forever and always.

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4 MSG)

Happy 1st Birthday Isaiah!

I can hardly believe a whole year has passed by since I first got to meet you. This time last year I was just getting started with labor and was anxious to get it over with so I could finally see your face. And then at exactly 5:21 pm you arrived and I fell madly in love with that sweet face and your head full of soft hair. I remember wondering for months if you would look like one or both of your brothers only to realize that you looked just like you. I will never forget that day.

 

The first few months you were so quiet and calm. You had such a gentle presence and barely disrupted the flow of our family. Now, while you still go with the flow, you have begun to find your voice and aren't afraid to use it. While mostly speaking in grunts and babbling you have no problem letting us know what you want.

And you have each one of us wrapped around your little finger...you truly are the baby of the family! Your brothers love you dearly and my heart melts every time I see you light up as they enter a room. I am so excited to see the bond between the three of you grow.

I think that at some point during each month of your life I have looked at Daddy and said, "I love him just like this. I don't want him to grow anymore." But of course you continue to grow and of course I continue to love you more and more each step of the way.

Happy 1st Birthday our sweet Isaiah!!! Can't wait to see what this year brings.