Happy Birthday Baby!!!

This past weekend, we celebrated Isaiah's first birthday in Muncie at my sister's house. It was the most wonderful day and the most wonderful celebration of Isaiah's First Year of Life! All of his grandparents were there, as well as all of his aunts and uncles and cousins. And even a couple of great friends were there too! It is so hard to believe that one whole year has passed since I was privileged to bring that angel into this world. We took a whole slew of pictures and I tried to whittle it down the best I could, but I don't know how great of a job I did! It may take some time to get through them! Enjoy!!!

I am constantly overwhelmed by the love I have for Isaiah. It is so often a reminder to me of how much our Heavenly Father loves us and wants the best for us, His children! And the crazy thing is, the love I feel for him grows with each passing day! I also want to include the words to one of our favorite books right now. The words of this book so perfectly articulate what I want Isaiah to know! It's called, "Just In Case You Ever Wonder" by Max Lucado....

Long, long ago God made a decision - a very important decision...one that I'm really glad He made. He made the decision to make you.

The same hands that made the stars made you
The same hands that made canyons made you
The same hands that made trees and the moon and the sun made you
That's why you are so special. God made you.

He made you in a very special way. He made your eyes so they would twinkle. He made your mouth so you could smile. He made your laugh so you could giggle. God made you like no one else.

If you looked all over the world - in every house - there would be no one else like you...no one with your eyes, no one with your mouth, no one with your laugh. You are very, very special.

And since you are so special, God wanted to put you in just the right home...where you would be warm when it's cold, where you'd be safe when you're afraid, where you'd have fun and learn about heaven. After lots of looking, God sent you to me. And I'm so glad He did.

I'll never forget the first time I saw you...your eyes were closed, your fingers were curled in two little fists, your cheeks were puffy and round. I knew in my heart God had sent someone very wonderful for me to take care of.

Your first night with me, I heard every sound you made:
I heard you gurgle,
I heard you sniff,
I heard your little lips smack.
I heard you cry when you wanted to eat, and I fed you.

You're bigger now, and you do more things.
You can walk and run.
You can play and talk.
You can eat and sing and look at books.
You're not a little baby anymore.

But as you grow and change, some things will stay the same.
I'll always love you.
I'll always hug you.
I'll always be on your side.
And I want you to know that...
just in case you ever wonder.

Remember I'm here for you. On dark nights when you hear noises in your closet, call on me.

When you see monsters in the shadows, call me. On hard days when kids are mean and don't treat you like they should, come to me.

If your grades are bad and your teacher is mad, come to me...'cause I love you. And I always will, just in case you ever wonder. Most of all, I'll teach you about God. He loves you. He protects you. He and His angels always watch over you.

And God wants me to make sure you know about heaven. It's a wonderful place. There are no tears there. No monsters. No mean people. You never have to say "good-bye," or "good night" or "I'm hungry." You never get cold or sick or afraid.

In heaven, you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you. It's going to be wonderful. I will be there, too. I promise. We will be there together, forever. Remember that...
just in case you ever wonder.