Happy Birthday Hilary

A very happy birthday to you Hilary! I am so proud of you. This is your last birthday as a single lady.

Next birthday you will indeed be a Mrs.

Where has the time gone?

My little Hilary 

who was so happy and made us laugh all of the time.

Now you are a beautiful lady who still makes us laugh.

 You are always there

for your nieces

and nephews,

for siblings and us.

 I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am to be your mom.

You are a beauty, both inside and out. You are thoughtful, loving and a joy to be around.

I love you so much. I am so excited for your wedding this summer and dancing the night away.

Truthfully,

Joanne

    "...their children will be a blessing." (Ps. 37:26b)

I'm exhausted. It's late. I sit and rock. Her downy soft head nuzzled against my chin, I breathe in her newborn smell, wanting to savor this moment always. It's my last night in Atlanta. I've been here 3 weeks.

The two of us have snuggled together each and every night, in the quiet, late hours, hoping her mama might get 1, 2 maybe 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

This sweet babe must know it's my last night with her. Her little eyes are wide open. She studies my face as if to inquire, "why won't you stay Gramma?"

"Little one," I say, "I will miss you so much." I pull her close against my chest, stroking her soft hair against my cheek.

Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. I'm not ready to leave you. I have so much to tell you, so much love I want to impart to you.

I blink back the stinging tears. I don't want sadness to mar this beautiful moment.

Has it really been 3 weeks since I arrived, with great anticipation of seeing this baby be born? I almost witnessed her first breath, but at the last minute, only her daddy could accompany my daughter to the operating room.

A miracle birth.

I am blessed. Abundantly blessed.

Yes, sweet one, so fresh from God. You were created and formed from the heart of the Father. You've been given gifts and talents, abilities and personality so unique there has never been and never will be another person like you.

You are valued. Your are cherished. You are loved. Your newborn scent is intoxicating. I inhale deeply.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Is. 40:11)

March

March, you make me happy. You have always made me happy since you are the month I celebrate the day of my birth. But I love you for so much more.

I live in Colorado. March, you are the snowiest month of the year.

Each time it snows, the grass grows greener.

Flowers pop up from the dead earth.

Life emerges in blooms,

babies, and blossoms.

Spring happens.

Summer will be here soon.

March, marches onward, utilizing the last bursts of winter,

ushering in all of the goodness and hope of warmer weather.

Truthfully,

Joanne

"As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Is. 55:10-11)

Grandbaby Number Seven

Introducing Aspen Elizabeth, 6 lbs. 10 oz., 20 inches, delivered via c-section. So proud of her mama, Sarabeth. What a miracle birth!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake; 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; 

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Truthfully,

Joanne

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13

Happy Birthday Elisabeth

Happy 29th Birthday Elisabeth!

Same beautiful smile you've always had. What a joy it is to watch your journey into motherhood this past year. I see so much of you in Beckham, his smile and laughter.

He has that special, cute way of drawing others to him, bringing joy everywhere he goes. 

As a mom, you have multiplied your gifts and talents. The nurture and love you so freely give shows that you walk as it says in Galations 5, "when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control." 

Thank-you for the joy and love you bring to all of the family.

I could not be more proud of you. Happy Birthday!

Truthfully,

Joanne

 "I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.  And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.  Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you." Eph. 3:16-19

Happy Birthday Dad

Growing up in a family with 4 kids, I didn't get to much one-on-one time with my dad. Whenever I had the chance to tag-a-long on an errand, especially when my siblings chose to stay home, I jumped at the chance. My parents owned a laundromat for awhile and one afternoon Dad and I headed out to take care of the chores. We worked hard. 

We filled the dispenser machines with product, and emptied the coins. While dad filled and emptied the change machine, I cleaned out the lint trap on each of the washers.  Everything was wiped down and cleaned. Dad let me mop the floors with the big string mop and wringer bucket. I felt so strong flinging it back and forth. He locked up and I climbed up into his old blue pickup truck. As usual, he set the big metal coin box between the two front seats next to the gear shift. As a reward for our hard work, we each had a cold soda pop we wedged between our legs for the 20 minute drive home, a Pepsi for him, Mountain Dew for me. He started the engine, but before shifting, he leaned over and opened the metal box. He pulled out a 50 cent piece and handed it to me.

"Here. You worked hard today and I'm glad you came with me." I took the shiny coin. It felt like a million bucks, mostly because of the pride with which it was given. As we drove home, we listened to country music and sang. No, we jammed. The tin box became our snare drum and the handle of it made a tambourine sound. Dad would slap the side with the back of his hand, tap the top to jingle the metal together, beating to the rhythm of each song. When it was my turn, I was a little shy as I knew I wasn't as good as he was. Dad encouraged me to just feel the rhythm. By the time we got home, He turned to me and said, "we make a pretty good harmony team." I felt like a master drummer.  Getting out of the car, I don't remember feeling tired, but I believe I walked a little taller.

(I know I've shared this memory before, but was thinking about it and thought I'd share it again.)

Truthfully,

Joanne

For he gave his laws to Israel and commanded our fathers to teach them to their children, (Ps. 78:5)

Abstract Saturday

Here is this weeks tile:

There's a lot going on, so I'll zoom in so you can see where I am focused.

I see an old man, no teeth with one eye squinted shut. Something like this:

Truthfully,

Joanne

"But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets"

Two

Josiah, today you are two.

You are an inquisitive, smart, happy boy. You love to play with trucks of any kind. Big Hero 6 and Cars are your favorite movies. Mickey Mouse is your go-to tv show and doing the Hot Dog dance with your dad.

(I'm sorry you weren't feeling well and running a fever when we celebrated your birthday)

You enjoy playing with your big brother Ethan, but also like space to do your own thing, without his help.

You love to run, and sometimes this rambunctiousness leads to bumps and bruises. In those moments, mom's arms of comfort are the best.

You haven't taken much interest in your baby brother, Elijah yet, but it won't be long before the two of you and Ethan will be the best of friends.

Whenever we visit, you act a little shy, but then a grin breaks out and you run to me and let me scoop you up and hug and kiss you. I'm so glad you will snuggle with me.

Love you to the moon and back. Happy 2nd Birthday Josiah!

Truthfully,

Joanne

You have taught the little children to praise you perfectly. May their example shame and silence your enemies! (Ps. 8:2)