Alexander's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Alexander’s birthday a week late due to the many difficult events that have occurred lately.  The weather was gorgeous and it was amazing to have our entire family gathered at one place.  Although Daddy had not had a good day he insisted on coming to the party.  We have missed him dearly, especially Alexander.  Alexander could barely stand to not have him near.  He called for Daddy Bob to come outside and be near at all times.  We enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs.  The kids ate very little, especially Alexander.  They were too busy throwing ball and tackling one another.  Alexander was even tackling Jaxson and Conner. 

Alexander was enthralled with his Mickey Mouse cake.  Kelley and I spent nearly three hours working on the cake.  I was excited to learn how to use fondant, but more importantly I was elated to spend time with my childhood best friend.  In addition to the cake, we had chocolate cupcakes with Oreos for the ears.  Alexander got a cupcake but was more interested in the Mickey cake.  He didn’t eat much of his cake.  He preferred the jelly beans we had used for decorations. 

When it came time to open gifts Alexander had little concern as to what was inside the packages.  He received lots of clothes, hats, books, and numerous toys.  He received trucks, a Mickey Mouse camper, a Thomas the Train boat, a tunnel, and a giraffe that sings the alphabet.  Of all the gifts the barn was by far his favorite.  I know this will thrill Daddy Bob for sure.  He loves the horse from the barn and even insisted that it go “night night” with him tonight. 

We have been blessed to have two amazing years with our precious gift.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to be parents again with the upcoming birth of our baby girl.  Alexander is certainly a gift from God.  Each day he is more and more affectionate.  We love to hear his growing vocabulary and his ability to say the names of those he loves. 

Our prayer is that as parents we will, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

Alexander is 2

Tomorrow my baby boy will be two years old.  It is unbelievable to think that we have had the blessing of spending the last two years with this precious child.  I can clearly recall the feeling of my water breaking at 12:36 am on Wednesday morning.  While only in labor for nine hours it seemed like an eternity before we got to meet our seven pound thirteen ounce bundle of joy.   The early days passed so quickly.  I recall crying over every passing day thinking how this tiny infant was going to be grown soon.  The first smile, babbling, and rolling over happened so quickly.  Instead of crawling Alexander scooted on his bottom.  He was nearly sixteen months old before he learned to walk.  We were relieved to postpone this milestone. 

In the past few months, leading up to his second birthday, Alexander has grown and changed so much.  He is so active.  We often find him in his rocking chair in his room reading books.  He especially loves to read Go Dog Go and Barnyard Dance.  We read the Bible each evening although Alexander refers to every book as the Bible.  We may even have a future athlete on our hands.  He has a straight kick and loves shooting baskets in the backyard. 

Alexander is a wolf.  He loves fruit, especially bananas and kiwis.  He can eat as much hamburger as his Mommy.  He could probably eat his weight in yogurt, wo wo, as he calls it.  He has eaten very few sweets. He is becoming increasingly aware of foods that are forbidden.  He will ask for pie, fries, and pizza when someone else is eating them.  He does frequently get a large portion of his Daddy’s pizza.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to be parents.  As I think of the Burkes and the Pierces my heart aches for the missed opportunity to experience the joy of parenting.  Although some days can be trying, with the increasing number of tantrums and demands,  we try to savor every moment and give Alexander our undivided attention before his baby sister arrives in January.  We pray that Alexander would ultimately come to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and that we may train him in the fear and admonition of God. 

                                                                                                                                                        

Too Much

It just feels there is too much going on in our lives, but I must rest in God's promise.  1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Adam is in Owensboro with his family.  His grandmother went to meet our Savior this morning.  The months have been difficult, but now we rest knowing she is in His presence for eternity. I am thankful Adam had one last opportunity to see his Mimi and read God's Word to her.  I miss my husband especially on days like this when at twenty weeks pregnant I struggle to climb the ladders and slides at Monkey Joe's.  

My dad returned from Vanderbilt University yesterday.  He has been through several weeks of radiation.  They return on September 28th to determine what chemotherapy to use.  We continue to pray for a miracle and complete healing from the cancer.  I trust God can and will remove this rampant disease from our world.

In spite of all this I should be rejoicing in the news of our healthy baby growing inside of me.  Even though we were unable to completely identify the gender of the baby I am thrilled to know we have another healthy child to join our family.  The sorrow I feel for the Burkes and Whitis is overwhelming.  Far too often I take for granted my healthy beautiful baby boy. 

Alexander will turn two on Friday, September 17th.  Unfortunately, we will be celebrating Adam's grandmother's life that day as well.  Alexander's birthday party was originally planned for Saturday, but the funeral will be this day instead.  Sadly, we will postpone Alexander's party until the next week.  I feel so selfish, but this is such a disappointment.  I hate to take away from his birthday by having visitation and a funeral.  I know God's timing is perfect though.  I do remember the day Alexander was born we thought Mimi was going to die that day.  She has lived nearly two years past that point and we praise God that she was able to meet and enjoy Alexander. 

Finally, not to forget that nine years ago today our country was attacked.  I remember taking the child I babysat to school and returning to hear the news.  Living in Orlando, so far away from our families, was difficult in the midst of such a world tragedy.  I am comforted by being near my family now, especially considering the death of Adam's grandmother and my dad's illness.  

All this to say, there is so much going on in our world.  I often think I can't take one more thing, but then I look around me and realize the goodness I am surrounded by, with only God our Father to thank.  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

While I don't know who will be reading my blog, at this time it is more of a pep talk to myself.  I know these truths, but I often have to convince myself of them.  It is not too much, only because He is enough.