Happy Birthday Sweet Garrett!

In all of the stuff that is going on and my excessive need for sleep these days I wasn't able to post anything on his actual birthday so here we are 2 days later. We had our little...or well, ever growing....family birthday party with just us. I am beginning to love these. After years of feeling like we had to go out of our way to make every birthday a huge bash I am coming to love the fact that we now have so many children that even our intimate parties are quite the celebration. He had plenty of siblings around celebrating with him and aiding him in his unwrapping attempts.

I love watching them grow. It is amazing to me to see the differences between them all and watch each of them develop their own personalities and character yet fit so intricately into the family structure. I love how even at 2 Garrett is becoming the family clown with quite the vocabulary. I love how once you have this many that the little ones just turning 2 can balance and jump on the trampoline like a pro and out jump many of Grayson's and Evye's friends. I love how surrounded they are by siblings and built in best friends within our family. It is amazing. It is amazing to me to see the difference between who he is at 2 compared to who Grayson and Evye were at 2 given their different lifestyles and the different number of people that surrounded each. Grayson and Evye were limited mostly to each other. Grayson had a ton of social exposure due to my working in the church nursery and going everywhere he did with us. Evye's was more limited and she mostly just hung out with Brad, Grayson and me. Both were in an apartment until we finally got our 1st house right before she turned 2. So when I see Garrett at this wonder filled age and I see his freedom and the freedom that he has been given due to older brothers and sisters who not only let him tag along but care for him and watch out for him I am filled with wonder at how God's miraculous plan works and how much better life becomes as a family grows. THings that were wonderful with Grayson and Evye and the freedom that I had to go and do then has been exchanged with things that are wonderful now and a freedom to let them wander and discover all of life and experience things that the 1st few children never get to experience at that age.

Ok....yes....that is Christmas paper but a 2 year old just doesn't care.

I decided I will start writing letters to each of them on their birthdays instead of just blogging about the day's events and who they are as people. AS they get old enough these letters will eventually be given to them on each of their birthdays to read. But for now at the ripe old age of 2, his letter will be held here, dear to my heart as I seek to capture this quickly fading, swiftly passing time of life. How is that the more children one has the more overwhelmingly in love you fall with each of your children and with what we have been so blessed with. There truly are no words...there is absolutely nothing....that can convey where we are in life and the contentment and peace that reigns. The absolutely incomprehensible amount of love that flows between us all is actually the very thing that drives each of us and gives each of the children the joy and security they have and us as parents the blessed and fulfilled life that only those that dare go the distance will ever know. Surely it is an incredible thing to discover such deep truths of the Bible that have been so overlooked in modern society. Everywhere in the Bible is states that children are a blessing. I don't think I ever...in fact I know I never.....would fully understand this until reaching the place that we are in today. It was hard with the 1st 3 as I struggled to figure out what parenting was all about and I fumbled my way through it but I have realized that with each one it gets easier. There is definitely more work and more of a need for organization and structure but the actual parenting part is becoming less strained and harried. There is a joy in it and an absolute awe and ability to sit and revel at the wonder of how God's plan does work.

Helping Celebrate

As Garrett turned 2 I again pondered on these things. I wondered why in the world it was so amazing to see him turn 2 when 5 previous children had gone before him and turned 2. We've seen it over and again and we know the "milestones" and development that have, and are going, to take place but each and every time it becomes more of a miracle to me. It is such a truly amazing thing watching your children grow...and with each one the fascination and the realization of a miracle are only multiplied.

Seen after bedtime when they are not allowed out of the room. I walked by and saw this. Brad was on shift. I heard his little giggles and then every once in awhile he'd say "Daddy? Daddy! I yuv you. Daaaaddy? What're you doin? Where are yoooou????"

I love you sweet Garrett. You are my little tank that is so entirely all boy. You can run, romp and wrestle with the best of them and hold your own on all accounts but you still are the cuddle bug that is not so old that you have strayed from the hugs, kisses and sweet quiet rocking chair time. I love how much you adore Gavin and how you would go out of your way to do anything for him...including powerhug him over until he is prostrate on the floor when he had been happy sitting up playing. I love how you can make him laugh like nobody else can. You are our sweet funny entertainer that knows everyone is watching as you share the stage with Garrison and entertain the crowds. I love how you absolutely adore Daddy and look into his eyes with lovestruck awe. You are his shadow in every way and gave a whole new meaning to being "Daddy's little boy". I love how you march out the door with him, unafraid to take on the world with him by your side. It is amazing to me to watch you and Garrison and Grant grow together and establish your own relationships with each other. I love how you and Grant can play cars together for hours and be totally consumed in your own little world. I love how you follow Garrison around everywhere and obey every command he gives as long as it means you can continue following him. You are amazing to me. I cannot imagine life without you or having chosen to have stopped before we were so blessed to welcome you into our lives. You are such an incredible gift to us. Your huge see through, crystal clear blue eyes melt my heart when I look at you and when you wrap yourself around me and I am hugged by your pudgy arms and your chubby hands grab my face to plant a huge kiss on me I know that I am in heaven and that we have been blessed more than I ever expected to be in a lifetime. Your wonder filled eyes and your contagious love for life is overwhelming and our family would never be the same without you. I love you sweet baby and God has used you to bless me and fulfill me as a mother more than you will ever be able to understand.