Celebrate

This holiday weekend we had more than one reason to celebrate.

So we celebrated them all.

We celebrated birthdays and the fabulous festivities they bring.

We celebrated themed-parties, colorful decorations and "monkeying-around."

We celebrated sweet treats, snack-time staples, and special appearances.

We celebrated cooking out...and hanging out.

We celebrated the simplicity of summer, and sandals, and laughter in the kitchen.

We celebrated the art of sidewalk chalk...

...the art of capturing a 2 year old's picture...

...and the uniquely profound art of "the bunny-face."

We celebrated silliness and messy faces covered with frosting.

We celebrated childhood....

And the inner child...

We celebrated family...

Lots and lots of family...

We celebrated bubbles, and buddies...

(though by the sour look on Jet's face I'd be surprised if sweet little David still wants to be buddies. lol.)

... and hiding your "baby bump" under brightly colored bouncy balls.

(silly girls didn't want their pictures made...despite the fact that they look adorable.)

We celebrated friendships that only seem to grow sweeter (and sillier) with time. :)

And we celebrated miracles...and all the sweetness they bring.

The powerful emotions one feels when looking at the sweetest of blessings - their future already a mix of hardship and happiness - a perfect reflection of what life is for all of us.

In this life we are faced with stresses and challenges. Each day can present us with new worries and anxieties. We will all experience times of frustration, fear, helplessness and heartbreak. It is part of life. It is certain. It is difficult. But it is during those times that we will pull from the reserves - these times of celebration. Times when we felt the support of our family and friends around us - and drew peace from it. Times when we witnessed the carefree play of little children - and felt joy in it. Times when we experienced the happiness a sunny, summer day can bring - and were renewed by it.

Times of rest. Times of contentment. Times of gratitude. Times of love.

Times when we stopped the everyday - and took time to celebrate.

Like this weekend.

When we celebrated life.

The Birthday Boy

Today...was about The Birthday Boy.

One more birthday was added to his belt.

You know him as Jet...Jetty-Mo...Jetters...

Little Buddy...Little Man...Little Miracle

The Boo...The Boy...The Pod...The Rock Star...

Punkin' Pie...Curly-locks...Snuggle Bunny...

Yes, in little life our Doodlebug has had his share of nicknames...all of which I hope to remember and use from time to time when he's 18 and hanging out with his buddies, or bringing home his first girl friend, or going of to college...yes...I think I'll save "Snuggle Bunny" for the hallway his college dorm room....

I wonder if he'll still have his curly-locks...

Okay...my heart can't take anymore college talk...yikes...what was I thinking. Oh yeah...I was thinking he sure thinks he's big stuff. .

Too stinkin' big for his britches if you ask me.

I guess that's what being 2 is all about.

Being a little 2 silly...

A little 2 excitable...

A little 2 temperamental...

A little 2 curious...

A little 2 independent...

And growing up a little 2 fast...

I remember going to see him in the NICU for the first time...just days old...and wanting more than anything to get a cute little picture of his feet. To no avail - it was always too dark in the NICU (how dare they have such bad lighting right? Shine a light in those babies eyes nurse! I'm trying to take pictures! lol).

No matter.

I was in love with his feet. His little chubby toes - especially that one little toe that sticks up higher than the other. I fell in love with his tootsies before he was even born through ultrasound...and the love-affair continues to this day...

Is there anything sweeter than baby toes...or bath time...

Not unless you count every time he smiles...

Or his chubby hands griping the wash cloth he's chewing on...one precious remaining symbol of babyhood.

Life is precious. It is to be celebrated. How ever many moments, days, years we are given...they are a gift. I was reminded of this recently as I witnessed my sweet friend say hello and goodbye to her precious baby girl at the same time. Her angel - born asleep in heaven. She held her in her arms for only a little while. She knew how precious that time was going to be...and she cherished it. Now she can only hold her in her heart...until they meet again. This life - family, love, togetherness - they are all just a preview to a greater blessing waiting for us. Looking at my sweet boy - loving him - cherishing him - may feel like heaven on earth...but really - it's just earth.

Heaven is still waiting.

And the One waiting for us - He has given us 2 years today...and the promise of forever.

Today...every day...we are so thankful for our little boy...

our angel...our blessing...our gift...

Our Jet Montgomery Penny.

Happy Birthday.

Little Boy

I'm not sure when it happened...

It sneaks up on you in a way that's hard to explain...you know it's coming...but you're still surprised when it does...

That change from tiny baby to little boy...almost overnight...

It's so gradual, subtle changes here and there, that suddenly you blink and "whoa..."

Even the nursery feels different...

Books that once neatly lined the shelves are scattered about in such disarray...

... that you're convinced he must be learning something...

If nothing else...how to make a really good mess...

A tiny mobile over the crib (that has been silent for quite some time now) knows it's days are numbered...that in less than a week a two-year-old will be sleeping here...and that all too soon, there will be a big-boy-bed in it's place...

There are signs of babyhood still lurking...and I think they still fit nicely...

And there are somethings that will never, ever, leave his room...ever...

But the "baby Jason Mraz" hat he wore a few weeks ago is resting casually on the lamp shade...and it whispers to me about growing up...

And I'm certain the puzzle pieces know they are no longer in danger of being chewed on...only misplaced in the mess.

A friend of mine asked recently "where's the pause button?"

I wish I knew...

But in the mean time, I'm just going to keep soaking up each minute - taking pictures with my eyes and with my heart. Remembering each day is a blessing. Even those days where the naps are too short, "no" means "I dare you" and the only acceptable meal choice is goldfish crackers and chocolate milk....even on those days...I will try my best to take a deep breath, give my worries up, and keep my perspective. Treasuring each moment (the "good", the "bad", and the "are you kidding me!?") for the miracles they are...for they are all a part the miracle of life.

This precious, ever-changing, don't blink,

turn-around-and-your-baby's-a -little boy...

Life.