Bryant Nathanael

Bryant Boy, you turn 4 today.

I have to tell you, something about that reality knocks the wind out of me.

Our boy who captures a room with your winsome smile and your winsome ways. You have the heart of a warrior. A champion. We pray your heart continues to grow tender and that it is captured by Jesus, that you surrender your life and your will to Him. Because then we know that you will grow to use that warrior spirit to fiercely fight for the Right; to champion for those who have no voice and to lead others to the loving, saving arms of our Great Savior.

 You are such a gift to us, brave little man. Who soon will no longer be little, but just a brave man. We are so proud of you. Happy birthday, Bryant Nathanael. We are crazy nuts about you.

Sweet Alice

This beauty decided to make her appearance yesterday, March 2nd, to the delight of her immediate family (Blake, Stephanie, big brother Jack & big brother Sam), and to the delight of lots and lots of extended family. One 6 year old, in particular, who gets to share a birthday with Alice Bernadette from here on out. Along with pink outfits and sparkles. Something sorely lacking until this moment.

Thank you, Lord, for one more precious gift from you.

We love you, Alice, and happy birth day (yesterday)!

Aubrey Grace...

You are 6 today. How did you go from the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen to the most beautiful young lady I have ever seen in the blink of an eye?

Our inquisitive, bright, sensitive baby has turned into an inquisitive, bright, sensitive lady. Overnight I'm quite sure.

Inquisitive in wanting to know all the little ways the world works. How the proper way to do things is. The proper way to say things. The proper way to be. With a heart that above all wants to please the One who created you so magnificently. You are so dear, our Aubrey girl.

Bright in how you think through problems. How you wrestle through difficult situations. How you grasp concepts that are well beyond your years. But more importantly you are bright in how you welcome people into your life; you are a bright-spot in the lives of so many because of your sweet, tender heart.

Sensitive in how you process life and others. Learning to love others is hard sometimes but you are navigating it well. You are sensitive to the way Jesus wants you to live; that is a priceless quality to have and it will bode well for your future.

What wonderful qualities and gifts God gave you when He created you. We saw them almost from the moment you were born and it is so fun for us to see how those gifts are developing as you grow and mature.

Happy birthday, our 6 year old. We love you more than any amount of words could ever express.

P.S. I'm really glad we get to wait a whole year until you get pierced ears. Although I'm pretty sure that won't be enough time for me to get ready.