Our Boy is 5

Gramm celebrated his fifth birthday in July. I cannot believe my wee little dumpling is five years old. He's almost completely lost all his baby chubbs and that makes this mama very sad.

We had a very low key celebration here at the house on the day of his birthday complete with a (swelteringly HOT) trip to the zoo, watermelon for breakfast, cantaloupe for lunch, Little Caesar's for dinner and yellow cake with chocolate icing for dessert. Sydney came over for dinner and cake and even helped blow out the candles. Mimi and Pops came too, but they stayed away from the candles.

We waited a couple of weeks to have a birthday bash for our boy. We shared the part-ay with the amazing Eli Wilson and fun was had by all. Brooklyn on left, Vivian on right all dressed up for bubby's party.

Daddy helping Gramm skate. Notice Eli's Mommy in the background (orange shirt). Beautiful inside and out.

What is up with the semi-strained smile? My sweet son was strangling me. He just loves me so much, he can't help but squeeeeeeeze my neck till I'm having trouble breathing! :)

What's a party without good food? On the menu: roasted red pepper hummus and chips, veggie tray with ranch dip, mini slap-yo-mama cookies, gooey chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies, rhubarb pie, and peach pie.

We picked the peaches in the pie with our sweet friends, the Majors.

Gramm with a table of some of his faves. He's asking (ordering) Sydney to please not blow out his candles this time.

A little letter to my five year old:

Gramm--

How did you become a little boy so quickly?! You melt my heart with your tight hugs and good morning kisses. I love that every night as I leave your room you say, "Jesus loves you too, Mama!" Your love for people is so evident and genuine. Some of your favorite people these days are Sydney, Eli, Clara, John Isaac, Jonathan and Becca. You are so smart and love to learn and try to figure things out. If you find a screw driver, you will unscrew whatever is within reach. You love to "trim the branches" in the backyard and you've been a great help watering the garden and flower bed all Summer. I love the way your little man hand fits in mine and that you almost always let me hold your hand. You love to look through your mommy and me cookbook and point out recipes for me to try. You are a great eater and really love milk, steak, pizza, "yellow cheese", all fruit, crunchy veggies, and sweets!

Your Daddy and I love you so very much. Your sisters (or "the sissies" as you like to call them) love you, too. Our lives are more full because of you. The day you were born, all I could say was "Thank You, Jesus". I was in awe of the wonderful gift you are to your daddy and me. I still am. I will never stop thanking God for you, my precious son.

Love,

Mommy

He gets me and He gets me good

Okay, so the title of this post was taken from a little joke between me and my hubby after watching this qvc video. Check it, yo. Now, onto the purpose of this post.

My man and I recently attended a marriage conference. One of the many things we took away from the conference is that I must have God time daily if I am to mother my precious babes with kindness and love. The Lord has blessed me with a babydaddy who can scramble eggs for three hungry munchkins and let his wife have a minute with her Father.

Being the Beth Moore junkie that I am, I picked up my copy of Jesus: 90 days with the one and only and have been loving praying through scripture and learning more about Jesus. Today, I read Psalm 113: 5-8 per the book's suggestion. Here it is:

Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated in high,

who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

I have a new study bible which really clarifies certain verses. I checked to see if there was any clarification offered for these verses and this is what stood out to me among the writing:

"God's majesty never implies His remoteness from those who look to Him, it implies instead His exhaustive attention to detail, and His inexhaustible ability to care for His faithful. "

He cares for me in every detail. He knows my every need and I don't wear Him out. He truly cares about the details of my life between cooking for our fam and disciplining our babes. Mostly what this scripture spoke to was my bewildering desire for another child. Mothering is so blessedly wonderful and difficult right now. Each day is a challenge. Why would I so strongly desire to add another little one to care for into the mix? He assured me today that He knows my desires. He grace for me is inexhaustible. He has surrounded me with children, He may surround me with more children and He will give me the strength to love them. His ability to care for me (as I care for my babies) is inexhaustible. Thank You, Jesus!

I am reminded of the chorus to a beautiful hymn:

I need thee, oh I need thee;

Every hour I need thee;

O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.