Happy Birthday Babies

Happy Birthday Babies!

What a year we have had together.  Words fail me , how do I express feelings ofoverwhelming joy to heart break.  God knew what he was doing when he gave me you two.

Baby A,

You my boy have took your mama's heart. Never did I think we would walk the journey we are on together.  I will never forget the day we were transferred and the cardiologist met us in our room. Daddy, me with Seamus in my arms and the midwife sitting on the bed as he began to explain what this diagnosis would look like. On a clip board he drew a diagram of a normal heart and then he drew a diagram of your heart.  I remember the words but not being able to full grasp the gravity of what he was saying. I looked at our midwife and tears were rolling down her cheeks.   At 6 days old I held you begging God to let you stay. I didn't know if that was the last time I'd see you. Not many will ever understand what it is like to watch your baby fight with all they have against a failing heart, to see them after surgery, to sign consent to something you know could very well end their lives.
 The months that followed were the most difficult days I have ever walked but every day to be with you was worth it.
The tears have flowed and the ache inside me is daily. You have taught us what love looks like. Each moment with you is amazing. You have taught me to enjoy and fully embrace motherhood and to remember that you are God's first.

Baby B,
 Seamus. What a beautiful reflection of God's love and kindness you are. Every single day for a year you have woke me up with your infectious smile.  When I see you I am amazed you are mine. Your soul is so gentle, I feel like I can see who you are already.
People always talk about the special connection twins have, but to see it in all its beauty and intricacy is beyond amazing. I hope you always appreciate that bond. Every night when I crawl into bed and you two are cuddled up together melts me. I say it over and over " I can't believe they are mine".

Your journeys, though, will be your own. You'll pave your own paths and take your own risks and earn your own triumphs and endure your own heartbreaks. Wherever that leads, Mommy and Daddy believe in you and we'll never ask you to be anything other than who you are. But most of all we are behind you cheering you both on. 

the 1st birthday bash

 

Today we celebrated with 60+ friends and family our two little blessing "thing 1 and thing 2"

 

birthday project

 Soup on the stove - lots more soup. Hats and sweaters with only a rare sighting of bare feet outside these days  unless my spunky little ones are making a dash for a forgotten toy outside .  Fire in the wood stove nearly every night now.  And with these full days - darkening as they are - we find ourselves all tucked into our  beds a little bit earlier.   Last Thursday was my Birthday and probably one of my most memorable. A group of ladies from church and I went out for dinner. I requested no gifts but I challenged them to a random act of kindness. Instead of a gift for me I wanted them to give a gift to our server that night. This was so fun! She got everything from coffee gift cards, socks, mitts, steeped tea, chocolate hedgehogs...   even though my children were not there they were all in on the excitement of it.  This has had our heads spinning in random acts of kindness mode.. We find ourselves asking "what can we do next?" After a pretty rough 2014 we plan to end it with some great ideas.

Generosity is “realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes.” 

Celebrations

I keep learning the same lesson - one that deepens each time. And that is that birthday celebrations are always the most special, the most joyful, the most heartfelt and loving, with fully present parents and attentive siblings, family and friends it's a 'filled up with love' celebrated little one. Such was true this year- all her favorite foods and favorite things.

One thing I enjoy while raising a large family is celebrating each child on their birthday. I am often asked why I don't do one big yearly party for all, and while that may work for some families. I find this is a special way to show them their importance and value. Each one being so different in how they want to celebrate year from year. The older they get the more intimate the celebration. Not only is it there day but their BIRTHday is a day that changed me. Each birth of a new baby has left an imprint on my soul that I want to hold dear and celebrate.

 

Happy Birthday Rachael

  Dear Baby Girl,
 Happy 7th Birthday!  I can not believe 7 years have went by so quickly. I remember the day you were born so clearly.  I spent the last 24 hours reminiscing  hour by hour what we were doing.
I pray that your life will be filled with great joy wherever the Lord may lead you, and that your intoxicating smile would brighten the lives of all you know. We chose your middle name "joy" because of how much joy the news of you coming brought us.
I pray that you might stay close to your siblings and make true friends who can help you to grow in character. 
That you might be truly happy to be exactly who God made you to be. That you wouldn't be swayed by the wrong people.
That your childhood might be filled with sweet and significant memories.
That you would be woman of strength and courage and that you may bring Him glory.
You are growing up in so many ways, and each day I catch another glimpse of something new that makes me see just how blessed we are to have you in our lives. I am so privileged to love and care for you, and watch you grow. He gave me the tremendous blessing of being your mother.

We call you our rainbow baby because you were born after we lost a child, but you’re also our rainbow baby because God gave you to us as a reminder of His faithfulness.

A Letter to my Hannah

                         My precious Hannah... how are you three years old already? It amazes me how time passes. I love watching you grow, I love the little person you are becoming. I love how at three you already know who you are. You love to wear dresses and say every time " I'm a princess".  You love hot baths, nail polish, baby dolls, and little figurine toys.  I love when we catch you in your make believe world, your creativity amazes us.
I'm sorry I didn't get time to plan you a cute little party with a theme and little friends. I was really hoping I could have done that for you.

 I would like to promise you that I will love you unconditionally. I promise to encourage you. To help you and be there for you. I promise to be your ear, your shoulder, and your biggest cheerleader. I promise to respect you and treat you with kindness. I promise when I mess up I will apologize to you. I promise to never push you away or cause you to grow up too fast. 

For now my dearest little love thank you, thank you for making my life more beautiful I can't imaging not having your warm little body snuggled up to me every morning. Or hearing you say "I love you mommy"  I pray this year you grow and discover new things that your infectious laughter would fill our home and hearts.

Happy 10th Bithday Natalie.

                  Today my beautiful first born daughter turned ten. TEN! How did a whole decade fly by that fast?
I was thinking about her first 12 hours of life and she cried the whole time. I was sharing a room at the hospital with another new mom and she was quiet upset my baby wouldn't quiet down. I on the other hand was on cloud nine. I JUST HAD A BABY GIRL! She was my smallest peanut weighing in at 6-6.   I was just so in love with her. At 4 months old we found out she was 100% deaf in both ears and the next few months were spent in sign language classes, mother goose classes all in sign for my boy to catch on and numerous trips to BC Children's Hospital.  Chris and I along with our church family got on our faces before a very powerful God and cried out for her healing.  A long story short at 8 months old Natalie was heading into surgery for implants  her hearing was tested and to every one's surprise she had her hearing. We were stunned!  I will never forget that day.

Natalie is one of the most selfless people I know, her spirit is soft and mold able. She is one of those kids that is just so easy to get along with.  She is graceful and a beautiful pillar in our home. She stands outs esteems purity and modesty. She has a vision to advance the kingdom of God. She fully without hesitation trusts her mom and dad fully giving her heart. We really look forward to these double digit years with her.

         This was a game where I filled plates with whipping cream with buried candies and then had to eat the cream to find the candy. First one done wins!

                             Boys against girls water fight, 200 balloons and about 3 mins of fun!

Happy 8th Birthday Presley!

   Presley requested a birthday party in the woods.  We went on a family quad trip. Picnic lunch and cake with some fishing. 

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

                                           Jude is four and I am weepy about the whole thing.

He is by far the cutest 4 year old boy on earth right now ;)

                              I have wanted to eat this little man since I first layed eyes on him.

                                             If you want to read his birth story it is right here.                   http://fruitfulabundance.blogspot.ca/2009/04/my-little-piece-of-heaven.html