There I lay, waiting for you.

So curious what your little heart would become.
Thinking, unlike last time, that I was ready.

I expected you to be handsome, just like your daddy
And perhaps strong like him too.
I hoped JOY for you as I prayed, touching my tiny belly.
I asked for the strength in your name
Brave Prince.
And then there you were, before us...

And the surprises began.

You are tiny, yet resilient.You love our attention

but ask for it with innocence & giggles.
You aren't a showstopper,
but definitely a heartstopper.
Ever since I saw your tiny frame,
you've have had my heart.
And that JOY I prayed for?
He granted.
Your smile's fingertips invite our hearts.
And that giggle gets us EVERY time!
Your tender heart
often lands you with wet cheeks,
but a quiet cuddle
or silly tickle rescue is always a quick fix.
And those two tiny fingers...
thank heavens!
Your surprising curls
endear you to everyone.
What Asian baby has a curly locks?
I once thought you to be suspicious,
but now I know you're just curious.
Which explains why photo ops end in
wide eyes & strange looks.
and remember, being
flexible & ticklish
will get you a long way in life!

Though you reward Daddy & Jude

with great amounts of giggles
It can't hide your loyalty to

your very favorite "Ma-ma".

(just after waking up, this morning)

Brennan,
i loved you tiny
now i love you small
and i'll love you into your big boy days.
but when my mommy days are done
and "mom" i become
i want you to say, first, of this home
that grace was the banner across Jesus' sweet face.
that the bottom line of all of our rules and exceptions
was the Truth of Grace.
Because, sweet Brennan, God's bottom line for you just this:
Jesus' redemption,
the flawless Love, broken for grace.
I hope our home inclines you to know Him
and love Him with as deep as that heart of yours flows.

You've changed this house
and we're celebrating you today B-love.
Happy Birthday Baby.
We love, love, love, love, love you!!

I can't believe Brennan's WALKING!! Wasn't he just born YESTERDAY!?! This little sweetie turns 1 on Friday. I told Jon today that I'm pretty sure I'll cry....

Here's another little treasure. Every time we start to say goodnight now, here's what Brennan does. :0) I love it!

I hope you enjoy these treasures like we do! It'll be fun to show these to our boys one day!

So it looked like it was going to be a close call...

(that's me in the black shorts, Mary in jeans, and Kaye refereeing.
Oh and that's Ken reaching arms of compassion to an Amy who just ate it BIG time.
Ha!
(Don't hate. Even Amy was laughing thru the tears!)

But the picture below tells the whole story:

There were some debates, but in the end me & the camera knew the truth*. ;0)

Oh, and here's Amy's mortal wound:

You know that grass, it'll reach out and grab you sometimes!

Kaye somehow got out of participating under some lame excuse like having just had a baby.
Pfh! ;0)
Next time!
(*ok, ok...we decided to do a "run-off" because the finish line refs couldn't agree on who had won. )

And I just had to share some of these precious pics. Somehow they didn't make it into the mix of the 400 pictures I posted before!

Laughing with (Kaye's girlie) Gloria.

Gloria & Gracie
To me, this is SO typical of them! You'll almost NEVER find Grace in anything but a dress, and Gloria doesn't care, she's got everything taken care of. :0)
Love them!

Father's Day 2009
Our church took professional shots for dads & their kiddos. Precious huh?
(they also did the same for mother's day :0)
Love them!!!!