Happy 1st Birthday B-Love!

There I lay, waiting for you.

So curious what your little heart would become.
Thinking, unlike last time, that I was ready.

I expected you to be handsome, just like your daddy
And perhaps strong like him too.
I hoped JOY for you as I prayed, touching my tiny belly.
I asked for the strength in your name
Brave Prince.
And then there you were, before us...

And the surprises began.

You are tiny, yet resilient.You love our attention

but ask for it with innocence & giggles.
You aren't a showstopper,
but definitely a heartstopper.
Ever since I saw your tiny frame,
you've have had my heart.
And that JOY I prayed for?
He granted.
Your smile's fingertips invite our hearts.
And that giggle gets us EVERY time!
Your tender heart
often lands you with wet cheeks,
but a quiet cuddle
or silly tickle rescue is always a quick fix.
And those two tiny fingers...
thank heavens!
Your surprising curls
endear you to everyone.
What Asian baby has a curly locks?
I once thought you to be suspicious,
but now I know you're just curious.
Which explains why photo ops end in
wide eyes & strange looks.
and remember, being
flexible & ticklish
will get you a long way in life!

Though you reward Daddy & Jude

with great amounts of giggles
It can't hide your loyalty to

your very favorite "Ma-ma".

(just after waking up, this morning)

Brennan,
i loved you tiny
now i love you small
and i'll love you into your big boy days.
but when my mommy days are done
and "mom" i become
i want you to say, first, of this home
that grace was the banner across Jesus' sweet face.
that the bottom line of all of our rules and exceptions
was the Truth of Grace.
Because, sweet Brennan, God's bottom line for you just this:
Jesus' redemption,
the flawless Love, broken for grace.
I hope our home inclines you to know Him
and love Him with as deep as that heart of yours flows.

You've changed this house
and we're celebrating you today B-love.
Happy Birthday Baby.
We love, love, love, love, love you!!

Happy Birthday Gracie!!!

This is classic Gracie--

lovin' on her sister
big smile
curly blonde locks
a pretty bow
and PINK fingernails!!!
LOVE it!!Happy Birthday Sweet Grace Olivia Birdsell!!

We wish we were there to celebrate!!
We love you GOBS!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!!

I couldn't have known
when I first saw you
how my heart would swell
and fill with love
I couldn't have known
what your tiny form would become
so precious, so perfect
a blend of your dad and me.
I couldn't have known
that serving you
would be
my heart's delight.

I couldn't have known

that your sweet voice
could still me and fill me
with such deep joy.
I couldn't have known
the hard days would come
so tired, so humbled
by how to raise you.
I couldn't have known
how desperately
a child
needs Jesus.

I couldn't have known
how loving you
would show me
just how much I need Jesus.

But here we are

two years past
and I'm finding myself
with not quite enough words
to tell you all you are to me.
Jude
I can't tell you enough that I love you.
I can't do enough to capture memories with you.
Time is passing so quickly.
And some days I feel like I'm failing.
But I pray with my WHOLE heart that you see Him in me.
That's what all this is for.
You won't be mine forever.
But I pray you'll always be His.
I love you my little Judebug.
Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

You Show Us How

(I'm posting this early...for longer enjoyment!)These are just a few of MANY tears this man has cried for me.

For us.
For his sweet grandbabies.
For the the four daughters he raised.
For the wife he's loved faithfully for 31 years.

My dad & I took this picture just hours
before our plane left the ground to head to Africa.
And I don't think he's stopped grieving since.

I guess I'd say that I've witnessed very few people love the way
my dad loves.
To Dad loving is serving.
He never seems to stop.
Since I was a kid I can remember my dad
doing dishes,
cleaning house,
doing laundry,
fixing things,
getting coffee for my mom in the morning,
mowing his grandmother's lawns,
stopping to help a stranger fix a flat,
helping his employees with numerous needs,
and literally helping old ladies cross the street.

But his love didn't stop there...
with four daughters
he could have checked out,
decided girls weren't his thing,
disengaged,
gone off with his man friends to do manly things.

But instead,
He listened,
He hugged tears away,
He insisted on our heart's best,
He met the boys that wanted to date his girls,
He showed us how a husband should love his wife,
and He apologized when he messed things up.

And in turn, it's shaped my view of love in a very unique way.
I love the way I do, in part, because my dad loved me well.
I consider that I HIGH privilege in the world today.

I'm celebrating you today dad.
I'm cherishing our memories together
and thanking God for giving me such a special gift,
a very present,
ever-loving,
hug-giving,
wife-keeping,
baby-lovin',
self-sacrificing
Dad.

I say this every year
--every anniversary, every birthday, every father's day--
but thank you,
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
for loving Mom...
not just tolerating her or just living with her
but LOVING HER.
Thank you for keeping your promise.
Thank you for loving her still today.
Your love shows us how.

Thank you for loving us so well.
Thank you for embracing my Jon as a friend and son.
Thank you for giving our sweet Jude & Brennan
a special place in your heart.
Thank you for counting the cost daily so that the nations can know.
You're paying a high price for us being here.
Thank you.

Happy Birthday Dad.
I love you dearly.

Snot till Ya Drop

Happy Birthday Amy!!!

So these are but TWO of the MANY faces my sister, Amy, wears!
I just LOVE how Jude is looking at her in the pic below!
She's quite the entertainer & a unique one at that! She's the only person I know who laughs so hard at her own jokes that she blows snot out of her nose...granted the rest of us are peeing in our pants, doubling over, and doing that funny silent laugh that causes violent shaking.

She's also quite the rock. I'm so thankful for her wisdom and experience that she so purposefully couples with encouragement.

Since I was a preteen I can remember seeing Amy faithfully studying the Word every morning. I'm so thankful that she is so rooted in Scripture. It truly is her firm foundation!

Amy is also a champion for the lost. She longs to see the nations redeemed!! I am surely challenged by this passion and awareness of the ones who need Him, whether it be her neighbors or the millions in a far away land!

And who can forget just HOW MUCH she LOVES her nieces and nephews!!! This girl flies over oceans and drives MANY miles to love on these babies! I know that over the years she will be a unique source of fun and laughter! They already love her so much!!

Amy, I pr that He would bear MUCH fruit in you this year as you wait on Him.
I love you and I'm so thankful that He's given you to us!
Happy Birthday Amy-zing Grace!!
(I just had to! It wouldn't be complete without that ridiculous nickname!)