N-I-N-E

The season of Christmas has always been a sweet and highly anticipated time of year for me. There really isn't anything I don't love...the hymns and songs, the decorations at home and all around, the hustle and bustle, the thrill of finding the perfect something for the people you love, the times to celebrate with friends and family, and of course, the opportunity to reflect and remember the true meaning of this time....the Greatest Gift of all.

9 years ago, I was a mom-to-be due with a baby boy on Christmas day. It seemed fitting, as the meaning of my own name is "Child of Christmas." This Child of Christmas was due to have a Child on Christmas and it only increased my joy and love for this time of year. I loved being pregnant with all 3 of my babies- the expectant feeling of knowing there was SO much to look forward to. I remember hitting the month of December and finding out that things were progressing and he would likely be a bit early. I was teaching school and wrapping things up there and just prayerful I could get it all done. And I did. Like He always seems to arrange in His own way.

So, 10 days before he was due, he came into our lives. My life was wrecked in the BEST sense of that word. Never again to be the same, my heart now lived outside of me in this tiny, perfect little boy. I looked at him and knew him in an instant. He was mine. Ours. His.

And I remain in awe of the sweetness of the BIRTHday. And so so grateful for the life of this 9 (NINE!!) year old boy who is growing before my very eyes. I love who he is, who he has been and who he is growing to be. I am forever a very sappy parent on each of my children's birthdays- maybe because the day seems so recent and so far at the same time. And it makes me sad, and joyful and terrified and excited all at the same time. 

And then, you BLINK..... and have a boy. A 9 year old boy! Am I even old enough to have a 9 year old?? 

 He is funny, so sweet and sensitive, smart and talented, sincere and caring, athletic and hardworking, and so many good good things. It's enough to make this mama's heart just burst!

 Hunter- we sure do love you. Please, slow time down Lord so the next 9 years don't go nearly as quickly as the first. And thank you, thank you for allowing us the chance to love and nurture this precious child of Yours.

Birthdays galore!

I just realized that I never got a post up for Blake's 6th birthday. (Sweet, sweet middle child) And today is already Hunter's 9th birthday. I always feel like once the calendar flips to November, I better hold my breath and keep up, because it's always a full and busy 2 months until the end of the year.

Let's start with Blake- very deservedly so. Blake turned 6 on November 17. He and Luke celebrated for the 3rd year in a row with a joint party. This year, we celebrated a few days early and had a bunch of boys come and play kickball. We had rented an outdoor field and prepared a few things for the afternoon when a sudden and very strong cold front blew in. We knew pretty quickly that our outdoor plans weren't going to cut it. So, we were able to rent the gym at our church and it was the MOST FUN party! We had the best time!!

Blake has the sweetest heart. He loves to pray at the dinner table and at bedtime and his prayers are truly so touching. We often laugh and say he might be Pastor Jones sometime in the future. He has lots of things to say about his faith and what he believes. It's precious and so wonderful to see such trust and devotion at his young age. He genuinely loves The Lord and isn't afraid to tell you about it.

My heart could just overflow! This precious boy was so loved and celebrated the minute we found out about him. And I remember the elation I felt knowing that he was a boy and Hunter would have a brother. My prayer for our boys is that their hearts are so tightly knit and that they always love and adore one another.

Blake should wear a t-shirt at all times...."You are going to want to take me home with you." He was blessed with this personality that lights up a room. His scratchy voice, dimples and silly giggle are enough to put a smile on just about anyone's face.

Thank you Lord for this gift! He is a glimpse of the great joy we should all exude by knowing You! 

He is full of energy and can definitely wear us out. But truly, the way you spell BLAKE is J-O-Y!! He is the most joy-filled person and makes us laugh...a lot. He is doing great in school. We have to keep working on sight words and his reading, but he's making lots of progress and doing a great job. I admit to being a little worried that he would be a "monkey-see monkey-do" kid in the classroom, but so far, he has been very self-disciplined and respectful.

Blake is Mr. Manners. Of our three, he is so good about yes ma'am and no ma'am, please and thank you- and does it without being reminded. It is precious and people point it out often. Chris and I are so proud of him.

We couldn't imagine a better little brother for Hunter and a better big brother to Emily (as Hunter is too). Blake is such a beam of sunshine on each day- making life more interesting and SO so funny! We love you Blakey boo!