Fourteen

Fourteen.

When did you get so big? 

You are taller than I am, and Aunt Hilary.

You are so smart. I just wish I could convince you that it's okay to ask for something new without destroying the old. You can have a new backpack and the old backpack too. But I suppose when you ask, and I tell you you already have lots of backpacks, it makes sense to you to take the scissors to them and cut them up so they are no longer functional.

Your Ipad and computer skills are impressive. So are your online ordering skills. It's always fun to open up Walmart online and find transformers in my cart.

You are a great big brother and cousin. You try so hard to be helpful and can't seem to understand when Josiah doesn't really want your help. You have to remember he is two and wants to do things himself.

You still love transformers and baseball, but you've added Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, Batman, and Superman to the list.

You love riding your bike, playing police officer and taking people to jail. You are fast on your bike.

I enjoy Face Timing with you, but if I don't answer, try not to call repeatedly over and over. Sometimes Gramma is busy.

You have a heart of gold. I love to hear you sing to Jesus in worship, playing your guitar, the keyboard or any instrument.

You are a very special, one-of-a-kind, handsome, loving young man. I love you Ethan. Happy 14th Birthday!

Many Hats

He wears many hats.

He's a coach,

A loving Father,

Devoted husband,

Caring, conscientious son,

Expert camper,

And backpacker,

A man of courage,

who's not afraid to uproot,

Move,

Go where he feels called.

A man of integrity,

An honorable attorney,

A humble husband,

An encourager,

A man who knows how to have fun.

He multitasks,

Can face time while doing pajama time,

Play Cinderella over and over,

And stay true to His God.

I love you Christopher. You make this mom proud. Happy 32nd Birthday.

Three

Once upon a time, there was a Gramma and Grandpa who only had a grandson.  The grandparents waited and waited a long time to have a granddaughter. One day, in the magical city of New Orleans, their waiting ended. A beautiful baby girl was born. Her parents named her Ivydee Harper.

Ivydee was a sweet baby, with soft hair and beautiful brown eyes. Everyone loved her so very much.

When she was 9 months old, her mama took a trip, and her gramma came to visit. Ivydee was curious. She enjoyed pulling books from the bookshelf. She crawled around the room, even climbing over her big dog Daphne. She was happy until it was night time. Then she wanted her mama.

Ivydee cried and cried. She loved her daddy and gramma, but wanted her mama. Daddy walked her back and forth, back and forth while playing a small and simple song for her. She fell asleep in his arms and would only sleep if laying on his chest. Ivydee was very happy when mama came home.

Ivydee grew and grew.

She became a big sister to Jolie.

Ivydee loves to read books and hear stories. Often, she goes to the library and listens to more stories with her friends.  Ivydee likes to hear stories about herself from mama or daddy. Then she retells their stories over and over.

Ivydee has a great imagination. 

One minute she is a bride, getting married to her daddy. The next minute, she is a princess in a faraway land.  Sometimes she pretends to be Cinderella with her fairy godmother.

Sometimes she is just Ivydee, somersaulting in the grass, playing with her cousins.

Today, Ivydee is three. She has grown into a lovely, talkative, funny, imaginative, adventurous three year old princess. She gets cuter and cuter every day.

I love you Ivydee, Happy Birthday sweet girl.

Truthfully,

Gramma

Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Luke 18:16-17

Abstract Saturday

Here you go, this week's tile:

What do you see? For fun, I'll post tomorrow what I see.

Update: Do you see him?

Jesse Jackson?

Happy Birthday Sarabeth

Sarabeth, what an honor it is to watch you as a mom. 

It brings me great joy to see how happy Aspen is because of how you nurture her. 

You embrace the challenges of motherhood with ease. 

Your boundless love and joy shows in everything you do. 

Happy Birthday Sarabeth! 

You are a wonderful daughter and mom. Love and miss you so much. Can't wait to see you.

Love,
Mom

I will never stop praying for you and praying blessings over you. May you become the mighty woman of God that He has called you and gifted you to be. May you delight His heart as you have brought delight to me. May you always know the peace of God in your heart and the power of God in your life. May you sow peace in the lives of others. May you always know the prosperity of God, your provider. Keep making a difference in this world.

Eye Opening

A few years back, my family rented a house so we could gather together for a family reunion. About the second night, I happened to catch a glimpse of my only son scrubbing a toilet. Incredulously, I stepped back. My son, Christopher, was cleaning a toilet. I beamed with pride.

I thought about how sweet it was that Christopher was doing this for his wife, Lauren. They were about to announce to extended family that they were expecting their first child. No doubt Lauren still had moments of running to the bathroom to expel the contents of her stomach that her body deemed inappropriate for her child. What a thoughtful son I had raised!

Fast forward a few months. I was staying in another rented home. Lauren's brother was getting married. As we prepared, her father made a comment to me I will never forget. He told me he was going to clean all of the bathrooms in the house so when we were getting ready for the wedding, the bathrooms would be clean. He said one of his biggest pet peeves was a dirty bathroom, especially the toilet.

Ding! A light went on for me. While I was busy taking credit for a thoughtful son who cleaned a toilet for his nauseous pregnant wife, I realized I was completely off base. My son wasn't cleaning because I had trained him in some particular way. My son was cleaning because his wife had that expectation! She grew up with a father who had cleaned the bathrooms. My son was cleaning because it was what his wife expected. Her father set this example for her while she was growing up.

I cried. Not because I felt I had failed. I cried because my son was honoring his wife. What more could I ask? He was fulfilling her expectations of a husband.  He understood her needs, and chose to meet them.

Honestly, we never spoke about this. For all I know, Lauren might have tried to clean it herself but became so nauseous she asked him to take over. Or I could be wrong about everything.

It doesn't matter. It was an "aha" moment for me. I can't take credit for his actions. My son chose to honor his wife. For that I am so very proud.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."