Dear Elijah,

Dear Elijah,

Five years ago today you graced the world with your presence. You didn't really want to. It took three days for you to be convinced that the world wasn't so horrible. Really, let's be honest, the doctor had to take you out. It amazes me that you are still a little reluctant to try new things but once you do you embrace them whole-heartedly. You shy away from talking to new people but once you do they are your friend for life. You care so much about others and always have something to share. It seems hard to remember a time when you weren't talking. It comes from me. I think I have always been talking too.

People say you are my mini-me. But we both know you are all God's handiwork. It brings me more joy than you know that you are putting God's word in your heart. At the end of a rough day, hearing you recite your AWANA verse brings me a smile. My prayer for you every day is that those words are imbedded in your heart and that you grow to be just like your Daddy. A man who loves Jesus more than anything.

For some reason this birthday makes me a little sad. You are hitting a milestone. Moving from toddler to boyhood. You are no longer that very "solid" bundle of smiles. You have grown into a boy. I just pray you will always give your Mom the hugs I look forward too all day. I pray that boyhood doesn't take away your desire to share every detail of your day with me.

I love you, Elijah. Happy 5th birthday.

Writers Block

I love to write, really I do. I have always felt such freedom in the written word. As a character in a book I just taught equates, writing is like talking. We all know I am good at talking.

But lately I have had no words. No thoughts. Nothing to say. I feel like I should have mountains of things to say. We moved. I got the answer, well mostly, to prayer I have had for four years. I am happy with my job. But I just can't seem to put words together. There is so much in my heart but right now it is just going to stay there.

A friend is....

• Someone who seeks you out on the day of your Mom's funeral just to let you know she is thinking about you


• Someone you can pick right back up with, no matter how long it has been


• Someone you can laugh with about the silly things you did as a kid


• Someone who rescues you from your kids when your husband is out of town again


• Someone who pushes you to grow


• Someone who loves your kids and tells you how good they are all the time


• Someone who knows you are struggling and reaches out


• Someone who is a sister even if not by blood

Rico Suave

Elijah has many talents and gifts but right now he is a little Rico Suave. In the past two weeks I have heard him say the most endearing things. Here are a few snippets.

"Mom, you are the best mommy I have ever had."

"Wow mom, you look very beautiful today."

"Daddy you should give Mommy a kiss."

"Here Mom, I saw this flower and thought of you."

"Mommy, you are the most beautiful mom ever."

And then the most suave of them all...

"Auntie Sara, you are so beautiful."