Happy Birthday Precious Samuel!

Our precious Sam,

It is hard to believe you are three years old today!  It seems like only yesterday you came into this world, a tiny 7 pound, 7 ounce miracle.  I spent 15 hours in labor with you, and though I waited excitedly in anticipation to hold you for the first time and stare at your bright blue eyes, nothing could prepare me for the overwhelming joy that I felt when you were first placed in my arms.  I remember you were still a little discolored from the umbilical cord being wrapped around your neck in the womb, but I didn't see any of that.  All I saw was a perfect baby boy, fresh from heaven.  You had the brightest blue eyes and there was an instant bond between the two of us as I held you the first few minutes of your life.

I look at you now and am in awe of the little boy that you are becoming.  You are quite independent, will not be swayed by any amount of encouragement, especially when it comes to eating your dinner.  You little boy, have a mind of your own and I know that God will use that for His glory as you grow older.  Your favorite word these days is no, but even when you have your grumpiest face pasted on, if we imitate that furrowed brow, your one adorable dimple breaks through on your right cheek and laughter usually follows.  You love life!  You love your brothers and your favorite thing is greeting your baby Eli in the morning when he wakes up.  You look up to your older brother and want to play with him whenever he agrees to it, which is most of the time.  The two of you are best friends and the way you chatter in the evening as you lay in bed melts my heart.  You love music and I love it when you combine the songs Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children.  You are also such a coordinated little guy!  You love to play ball and lately your favorite game is playing catch with Daddy or Mommy, along with Jacob.  You love to do somersaults and jump off the couch, even though you aren't supposed to.  You absolutely adore sweets, and I think you get that from your momma!  You could care less what exciting toys or trinkets are in your Christmas stocking or Easter basket, but if there is candy, you want to dig in and enjoy!  I love this about you!  Just this morning I woke up to you and your brother sneaking  the cupcake cones I made for you last night.  You are an artist and even as a young two-year-old, could hold a pencil the correct way without ever being taught.

Samuel Reif, you are such a blessing to Mommy and Daddy, as well as your brothers and the rest of our family.  You have such an animated personality and such a sweet precious heart.  Our family would never be complete without you in it.  Even though you are the middle child, you are such a special piece to our family puzzle.  You light up our lives and bring us such joy!  You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, your Creator and we will spend forever thanking him for bringing you into our lives.  Praying that today would be a special day for you as we celebrate your sweet life that lights up the faces of those who know and love you.  Happy 3rd Birthday sweet angel!  We love you!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Jake, and Baby Eli

A Beautiful Occasion

This weekend Bryan and I had the honor of attending the wedding of a very special couple.  It could not have been more beautiful!  Perfect spring weather set in the middle of a breathtaking garden, a stunning bride, a sharp looking groom, committing their lives to one another in the presence of our incredible Lord.  This couple happens to be quite special to us both as our relationship began in our living room as we discussed the importance of marriage and what that means.  No marriage is ever easy.  There are seasons of happiness and seasons of pain, but with God as the center and lots of hard work, there is much fruit and true joy!

Love this picture of them!

I am the emotional type... I cry during commercials, movies, most every time I read a card, during the birth of my babies especially, and most definitely during weddings.  This wedding was no exception.  I have such a precious friendship with the bride, Ren, and have watched her grow into the most incredible woman of God.  I have also watched her relationship with her husband, Micah, strengthen and grow as they have both centered it on the Lord.  The four of us have sat around our living room discussing everything from finances to conflict resolution and as I sat there watching them commit their lives to one another, memories flooded my head and I lost it.

I also had the chance to sit and reflect on my own marriage and how Bryan and I have been together for 13 years this coming July!!!  Where has the time gone?!  I sat and remembered back to our own wedding day and all the special memories shared that hot July afternoon.  I sat listening to the scriptures read from Micah's uncle, specifically the love chapter from 1 Corinthians 13, and got lost reminiscing.  Love is patient, love is kind... love is not self seeking... it always protects, perseveres... love NEVER fails.  God gave us such a clear picture of what His love looks like.  He never said it would be easy, He never said it would be without problems.  But the rewards are so much greater if we can only remember what love means.  It is a choice, it is not a feeling.  Bryan and I have had seasons of elation, seasons of irritation, and even seasons where we wondered how we would make it.  But God got us through, and we are in such a wonderful place right now, full of love and respect for one another.  We definitely have those days where we argue and get frustrated, but we are soaking up the rewards of our relationship.  As I sat at this couple's wedding, I thought about all these things and the tears continued to flow.  I think the girl sitting next to me thought I was crazy!  :-)

I think my favorite part of the ceremony was hearing the vows that Micah and Ren shared with one another.  They wrote their own, which I think is so special.  I loved watching their facial expressions as they listened to the other persons, completely overwhelmed (sometimes with tears) with it all.

The reception was incredible and Bryan could not stop talking about the beef with the horseradish cream sauce and the giant plates!  It was fun watching him enjoy himself.  There were toasts, more tears, cake cutting, frosting in faces (thankfully the groom didn't go over the top with that one!), dancing, laughter, and joy.

She got him pretty good!

                                               
 
I just love weddings!  I love what they symbolize, love that they mark the most special day in a couple's life, and love the memories!  I'm so thankful for my own marriage and for the solid bond that Bryan and I share. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for the rest of our years with one another as we watch our three boys grow and marry and have families of their own.  So that was our weekend and it was a busy one, but filled with so much fun and joy, as well as so many special memories.  Cheers to all the married couples out there!  Even in the midst of the impossible, God can do all things, yet without Him, nothing is possible.  Congrats Micah and Rennie!  Love you!

Forever and ever...