Our Sweet Girl's Birthday

Thought many of you who read this would enjoy some more pictures from Linnea's party, to maybe help you feel like you were there?? :) Or maybe not, but hopefully it will give you a glimpse of the joyful evening!

The Giant Cupcake Cake turned out beautiful thanks to the hard work and talent of my sister-in-law

Linnea definitely enjoyed all the attention when we sang happy birthday to her!She wasn't quite sure what to do, so daddy gave her a helping hand :)messy.....She really liked it, though! (who wouldn't like peanut butter and chocolate? :))Gift time....All the babies migrated....This is little Lucy, who's adoption was made final on Linnea's birthday, and a week before her own birthday...what a joyful day it was for her parents! :)

Linnea LOVES to drum, and absolutely loves this gift, which came with all sorts of percussion instruments inside as well. Daddy and her have been having lots of fun makin music together :)

One of Linnea's best buddies, McKenna

It was a wonderful first birthday, and she truly enjoyed the whole evening as well :) We missed everyone who couldn't be here with us to celebrate, but prayerfully there will be many more birthdays to come...although I don't know how many big parties will go along with them...whew, it's a lot of work! But it was worth it! :)

Where Did the Year Go?!?

Linnea is officially ONE!! Whew...I can't believe it. This is age old news to most of you, as her birthday was the 18th of August. It was a whirlwind of a time, but not a bad kind of whirlwind :).

We first had my birthday, followed by Linnea's birthday, followed by the arrival of my dear friend, Desiree, followed by Linnea's party, followed by the party of another baby girl, followed by orientation for Aaron at seminary. This all took place in one week! Whew! It was all wonderful, but yes, a whirlwind :)
Linnea....my sweet Linnea....where has the time gone? I still remember holding you in my arms for the first time, and looking into those big alert eyes with tears in my eyes. I remember the many times you fell asleep in my arms, and the many times I couldn't figure out how to get you to fall asleep.

I remember when you smiled for the first time. Oh, and when you laughed......wow, was that an amazing thing! I remember when you started babbling, and you have never stopped since. :) I remember when your first tooth popped through, and now you have SIX of them!

I remember everything...everything that babies do for the first time, things that melt mommy and daddy's heart the most and things that make us so excited! We are still waiting for you to say your first word and take your first step and to get excited about food and maybe put a couple pounds on :).

We pray for your salvation every night, we pray for wisdom from the Lord in how to raise you, we pray that we would be reminded all the time that you are the Lord's first and foremost, and that we would trust in all that He has for your life. We pray that you would grow into a godly young woman who doesn't get swayed by the things of this world, but holds fast to the Lord.

Children truly ARE a blessing from the Lord. All the joy she brings us is inexpressible, and we don't take that gift for granted...the gift of smile and laughter that comes from just being her mommy and daddy. And she is also a blessing because of the hard times. She reminds me of how helpless, unwise, and selfish I am; she points me to Christ, on whom I should DAILY depend...for ALL things. And for that....the times she is difficult....I am thankful!
~Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.~ (Psalms 127:3-5)

More to come at another time...pictures and all.... :)