Here is the birthday girl! She really never stopped going the entire party so it was hard to get a picture of her sitting down.
Charlie's 1st birthday party!
Last weekend we had a party for Charlie's 1st birthday. We tried to keep the party geared towards children, but I couldn't help add some fun touches in for adults too. It was a beautiful day and we had such a good time with family and friends. We felt so blessed that they were willing to spend a Saturday afternoon with us. We wish we could have invited everyone, but we will save that for the 5th birthday party. :) The one thing I will do different for the next party, is make sure to bring batteries for my camera. Thanks to a few of my friends for taking pictures for me. So here are a few pictures from Charlie's birthday.
Here is the birthday girl! She really never stopped going the entire party so it was hard to get a picture of her sitting down.
Here is the birthday girl! She really never stopped going the entire party so it was hard to get a picture of her sitting down.
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!
Today we are celebrating Charlie's 1st birthday!! Well our family and some of our friends are celebrating Charlie's 1st birthday Saturday, but today we got to celebrate her birthday with the ones who gave her a birthday. So while my kids are napping I thought I would share a little.
Today we had Charlie's birthmother, grandmother and grandfather over to celebrate Charlie turning one. I knew it would be a great meeting but I often have to pray so that my heart is aligned with Gods. The reason I have to share today is because I am rejoicing alone in my quiet house for how faithful God is!!! "L" was in such bright spirits, she smiled like I haven't seen her smile. They all loved and hugged on Charlie and played with her. What I love is that they equally love on Kyler. We all shared lunch and just chatted like we are close friends. The type of friends that is easy. No awkward conversations, just a mutual respect for one another and i can honestly say we genuinely enjoy each other.
I am still in awe of how much they blessed us and lets just say my house looks like Christmas arrived early. But the sweetest gifts of all is a card from "L's" kids wishing Charlie a happy birthday.
When everyone left "L" and I got to share our hearts for a brief moment. I am still at a loss of how I can share my admiration and love for her. So today all I could tell her is that I hope one day she sees what we see and what God sees in her. I love that God has put her in my life. I love that I have these pictures to share with my kids as they get older. My cup runneth over!!
So today my heart is rejoicing for the work that the Lord has done!! This relationship is not from the work of a human heart but the heart of our Lord. Yahweh, you alone are worthy of all our praise!!
"Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell of his wonderful acts..." 1Chronicles 16:9
Today we had Charlie's birthmother, grandmother and grandfather over to celebrate Charlie turning one. I knew it would be a great meeting but I often have to pray so that my heart is aligned with Gods. The reason I have to share today is because I am rejoicing alone in my quiet house for how faithful God is!!! "L" was in such bright spirits, she smiled like I haven't seen her smile. They all loved and hugged on Charlie and played with her. What I love is that they equally love on Kyler. We all shared lunch and just chatted like we are close friends. The type of friends that is easy. No awkward conversations, just a mutual respect for one another and i can honestly say we genuinely enjoy each other.
I am still in awe of how much they blessed us and lets just say my house looks like Christmas arrived early. But the sweetest gifts of all is a card from "L's" kids wishing Charlie a happy birthday.
When everyone left "L" and I got to share our hearts for a brief moment. I am still at a loss of how I can share my admiration and love for her. So today all I could tell her is that I hope one day she sees what we see and what God sees in her. I love that God has put her in my life. I love that I have these pictures to share with my kids as they get older. My cup runneth over!!
So today my heart is rejoicing for the work that the Lord has done!! This relationship is not from the work of a human heart but the heart of our Lord. Yahweh, you alone are worthy of all our praise!!
"Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell of his wonderful acts..." 1Chronicles 16:9
A picture of adoption
I have this picture in my head that I often wish I really had a picture to share. It is truly one of the most precious moments of my life.
After about 4 days in the hospital with "L" and Charlie, we were getting to take our little girl home. The hospital room was me, Dave, Charlie, "L" and "C" (Charlie's birthmother and grandmother). We chatted throughout the flower filled room, but their was a quietness of what was to come. "L" would crack jokes and we would laugh all to help lessen the pain. A mother was about to say good-bye to her daughter and we knew we were about to be a part of it. We had a sense of relief to finally get to go home and enjoy our new baby, but we had to be in the moment and give everything we had to "L". She deserved every second and we wanted to soak it all in.
Finally the nurses came in, trying to be sympathetic to the situation but having no idea what to say or how to facilitate who was leaving in what car and who was taking the baby. I can't imagine their job or what they felt that day. I often wonder what their perception was of the whole situation, but I hope we glorified God and they got a glimpse of His beautiful love story.
We all agreed that we should go down together, we are forever united by one little girl. Dave and "C" decided to go down and pull both cars to the front of the hospital. When they walked back up together, "L" was put into a wheelchair. We all grabbed some flowers, but the nurse held Charlie and wasn't sure who to give her to. We had "L" hold her as she was wheeled down, Dave walking along side her. I stayed a few steps back while sharing with "C" that I admired her and her daughter and no words could ever thank them enough. I tried to tell her everything I could within the walk to the car. I wanted to tell her everything but knowing no matter what I said, couldn't take the pain of good-bye away and that she was about to go home and comfort her daughter. We finally arrived to the car and all I could think was, it is finished.
We strapped Charlie in to her car seat, both women kissed and loved on her for a lifetime. When "L" backed out of the car I looked at her and my heart wept for her. I held her like I have never held anyone else. This picture is entrenched in my brain. Their was a crowd near by that was watching and trying to examine the situation. A nurse stood quietly to the side trying to hide her tears. This moment was purely a God give moment. I truly felt as if heaven was rejoicing over "L" and celebrated her for her selfless heart. That our world would never be the same because of her sacrifices. I know it is silly, but I always thought if God had a camera, he would have framed this picture for His kingdom.
As we all drove away in seperate cars I knew that love would bring us back.
We are now getting ready to celebrate Charlie's first birthday in a few days. In a few days, both "C" and "L" will come and share a few hours with us and celebrate Charlie turning 1. And not just celebrate Charlie, but that our lives are all better for the events that took place a year ago. We have a bond that streghthens each of us and are walk with the Lord. When I think of Charlie and her adoption story my heart sings the praise, "O Lord, I sing for joy at the works of your hand!!" Psalm 92:4
After about 4 days in the hospital with "L" and Charlie, we were getting to take our little girl home. The hospital room was me, Dave, Charlie, "L" and "C" (Charlie's birthmother and grandmother). We chatted throughout the flower filled room, but their was a quietness of what was to come. "L" would crack jokes and we would laugh all to help lessen the pain. A mother was about to say good-bye to her daughter and we knew we were about to be a part of it. We had a sense of relief to finally get to go home and enjoy our new baby, but we had to be in the moment and give everything we had to "L". She deserved every second and we wanted to soak it all in.
Finally the nurses came in, trying to be sympathetic to the situation but having no idea what to say or how to facilitate who was leaving in what car and who was taking the baby. I can't imagine their job or what they felt that day. I often wonder what their perception was of the whole situation, but I hope we glorified God and they got a glimpse of His beautiful love story.
We all agreed that we should go down together, we are forever united by one little girl. Dave and "C" decided to go down and pull both cars to the front of the hospital. When they walked back up together, "L" was put into a wheelchair. We all grabbed some flowers, but the nurse held Charlie and wasn't sure who to give her to. We had "L" hold her as she was wheeled down, Dave walking along side her. I stayed a few steps back while sharing with "C" that I admired her and her daughter and no words could ever thank them enough. I tried to tell her everything I could within the walk to the car. I wanted to tell her everything but knowing no matter what I said, couldn't take the pain of good-bye away and that she was about to go home and comfort her daughter. We finally arrived to the car and all I could think was, it is finished.
We strapped Charlie in to her car seat, both women kissed and loved on her for a lifetime. When "L" backed out of the car I looked at her and my heart wept for her. I held her like I have never held anyone else. This picture is entrenched in my brain. Their was a crowd near by that was watching and trying to examine the situation. A nurse stood quietly to the side trying to hide her tears. This moment was purely a God give moment. I truly felt as if heaven was rejoicing over "L" and celebrated her for her selfless heart. That our world would never be the same because of her sacrifices. I know it is silly, but I always thought if God had a camera, he would have framed this picture for His kingdom.
As we all drove away in seperate cars I knew that love would bring us back.
We are now getting ready to celebrate Charlie's first birthday in a few days. In a few days, both "C" and "L" will come and share a few hours with us and celebrate Charlie turning 1. And not just celebrate Charlie, but that our lives are all better for the events that took place a year ago. We have a bond that streghthens each of us and are walk with the Lord. When I think of Charlie and her adoption story my heart sings the praise, "O Lord, I sing for joy at the works of your hand!!" Psalm 92:4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)