Friday, October 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Paul


Ann Voskamp quotes G.K. Chesterton as having said:
“Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?”

She then goes on to ask “Why doesn’t anyone ask that why question?  Why are we allowed two?  Why lavished with three?  A whole string of grace days?” ~ taken from her book, 1000 Gifts.

Oh how thankful I am to God for a whole string of grace days with my son, Paul, who is seven years old starting today!!!  Last night, the kids and I took a stroll down a photograph laden memory lane…wanna join us for the quick version?

Paul’s homecoming (he was 3 days shy of 7 months old):
 
We had over 40 people join us at the airport...those moments, though forever etched into this Mama's heart, seem a distant memory. The years have come so quickly.

One:
(oh, was I supposed to eat it?)

Two:
(my favorite two guys in the world!)

Three:

Four:
(rough and tumble, through and through)


Five:
(celebrating with a cousin/buddy - they are five days apart in age)


Six:
(a park party with a number of good friends)


and today, my son is SEVEN...
He woke up early this morning 
(after having trouble going to sleep last night)...
yes, he is a wee bit excited about celebrating his birthday!  
We'll be doing the celebrating later,
like when everyone else is awake, 
but since he's up I had him pose in all his bed head glory for ya'll.  



Paul is a living, changing, growing gift that God has placed in my open hands to nurture and raise for His glory...every day that He gives is a new gift, a new opportunity to delight ourselves in God.  He has blessed us with a whole string of grace days.  And we are grateful.

Father, thank You for each day you've given, for knitting THIS boy into our family by adoption, for beginning a good work in him and for your promise to finish what You've begun...may he become more and more like a tree, planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season.

Happy birthday, Son!  
We love you!

2 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Connie! Even though we don't know your children, we celebrate with you this adorable gift you have been given! Happy 7th birthday, Paul!!
    (I have read 1000 Gifts and found it to be refreshing, challenging, and very deep! A great book to go back to and chew on...)
    Blessings to you all, for the example you are to this world! Thank you for living out the truth of "adoption"!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, I want to just rumple that bed-head! Happy 7th birthday, Paul! What a joy you are to your mommy and daddy, and joy for us, as we get to share just a little bit in THEIR joy!

    ReplyDelete