ONE is so FUN!

I am a little behind posting about my baby boy turning one. On May 7th our sweet Kai turned one year old. My my how time flies. I've  had a chance to think about how much things have changed since we brought him home. Just a few are: you really can function on about 3 hours of sleep, you may not want to but you can, when I hear silence I know I'm about to walk up on something I probably don't want to (examples include car keys in Chloe's water bowl, a entire roll of toilet paper unrolled, a bag of potato chips dumped out & crunched on, books with pages ripped out, the list could continue but I will stop here), the simple act of a loved one coming thru the door should be celebrated, one button on a toy can bring many smiles, goldfish are the answer to most tears,  2 little feet can be pretty quick when they want to be, 2 arms are never enough, sitting in a chair holding my baby as he sleeps can make me one happy woman, who knew! In one year I have learned alot, Kai my buddy you are a terrific teacher. I have learned that someone will love me unconditional, not wanting a thing in return but my love and I in return now know how to love unconditionally in return. I have learned that simple things can be intriguing. Who knew a paper towel roll held the key to another world or a  leaf on the ground could turn someone's tickle box upside down or that wearing food can be fun and not the end of the world. Thank you Kai for  making  me see that the world can be simple and that I should slow down and admire those simple joys. Children really are a gift from the Lord and we as parents should be honored to have been given the opportunity by our loving Father to shape these creatures into God loving worshipers. I know I'll never be able to understand just how much my Heavenly Father loves me but if loving my own is the slightest indication then I know we are indeed blessed and favored. 

The following video is JJ Heller singing her song "When I'm with you." I love this song. I had intended to have a slideshow of Kai's 1st year played at his party with this song but I could not burn a dvd from my computer. Note to self: do not wait until the 11th hour to try to do something you're not sure about. I cannot get the slideshow to play the music on my blog so I am just going to show the video of the singer. She explains that she wrote the song for her daughter. It has beautiful words and I dedicate this song to my love, Kai.

Dear Bride to Be

Saturday June 11 would have been my parent's 44th wedding anniversary. Its a celebration of sorts. One reason for a celebration is the fact that 2 people stayed married (& in love) for that long. These days people change spouses like they change underwear so to see my parents still have the "hots" for each other after so long was refreshing, gross :) but refreshing. Obviously its hard to celebrate though when one half of the whole is gone. My mom still very much hurts and misses dad.
Just two days ago a friend of mine called me and wanted to know if I knew how to find the poem Andy and I had read at our wedding in fact this friend is the one who read the poem at our wedding. I thought oh my goodness I'm not sure I know where it is but I'll try to find it. Well the the next day I pulled down all my wedding stuff, you know the stuff that means absolutely nothing to anyone else but for some reason it means the world to you (i.e. the calendar leading up to our wedding, normally I throw everything out but I can't part ways with this, or a silly napkin) so anyway I started going through the box and sure enough there was the poem. I don't believe its any coincidence that I was asked to find this poem at this point in our grief. Its amazing to me how God orchestrates every little detail and cares enough to do this. The poem is so fitting for my mom right now with their 44th anniversary approaching yet the 1st without my dad. I wanted to do something special with my mom on saturday but God had a better idea. Sure my mom would love to spend the day with me but seeing and reading this poem will mean more.
                                                         Dear Bride to Be
                                            Come to me, dear bride to be
                                            and kneel before my throne,
                                            And I will share my heart with you
                                            and make your house a home.

                                            Listen well, lean closely
                                            there are secrets at my feet,
                                            The marriage you will soon begin
                                            this bridegroom will complete.

                                            The man with whom you journey
                                             is your wedding gift from me,
                                            To teach you things beyond this world,
                                            a precious mystery.

                                            And if you'll bear these things in mind,
                                            you'll always have great wealth,
                                            For through your union I will choose
                                            to teach you of myself.

                                            Let him hold you tightly
                                            and keep you safe from harm,
                                            Until I'll one day hold you
                                            in my everlasting arms.

                                            Let him wipe your tears away
                                            and trust him with your pain,
                                            Until I'll wipe them all away
                                            and Heaven is your gain.

                                            Pray to love his gentle touch
                                            and want his gentle kiss,
                                            I grant you both my blessing
                                            and ask you not to miss

                                           The reason why I've chosen
                                            for two halves to become one,
                                           That you might see the Bride of Christ
                                           sweet daughter and dear son.

                                          So make his home a refuge
                                          he's to love you as I do,
                                          Until your mansion is complete
                                          a place prepared for you.

                                         And, if I should choose to leave you here
                                         when I've called him home,
                                         Trust Me,
                                         I'll be your husband here,
                                         you'll never be alone.

God has always been my mom's groom, he's my groom but it seems more evident now than ever before. Although these are not God's direct words I do believe they are God inspired and meant for special moments such as our wedding and now for a 44th anniversary where one half is now in His everlasting arms. Rest assure mom, God honored your marriage to my dad and He will continue to honor that marriage until the whole is together again. I love you Mama.