The birthday…
August 6, 2010 | Updates
Birthdays are a time of celebration. They mark one more year of life on this earth for each of us. Each annual celebration of our birth is a rite of passage as we go from child to teenager, adult to parent and even grandparent to great-grandparent. They are the markers along the road of life and they give us a chance to reflect and a chance to look forward.
In mid-July, Samuel turned seven.
(Artwork just for Samuel - courtesy of Wesley.)
And I don’t think for one minute the joy of passing from one age to the next passed by without his recognition. He just seemed to KNOW that he was older and that this day was for him. And we aren’t ones to take lightly the need for singing of the “Happy Birthday” song when it is someone’s turn in our house to graduate from one age to the next. We sing it first thing in the morning and every half-hour throughout the day. We sing it fast; we sing it slow. We sing it loud; we sing it quiet. And sing we did for our birthday boy!
Samuel’s gift to me each year on his birthday is a sour stomach and a lot of throwing up. He did not fail me this year either! He threw up first thing in the morning and then 3 minutes after I put his cute birthday outfit on. BUT…mom knows her little boy and had a backup birthday outfit to boot. So, we dawned the new duds and went on with the celebration. (He would drench that second outfit when he threw up later that night, but pictures had been taken already and that was all a mom could ask.)
Samuel’s birthday was a small family affair, but what it lacked in flair, Samuel made up for. (Grandma & Grandpa were there, too, but somehow the pictures I got of them were all blurry. They just move too darn fast :)!
(Um, yea, just try to ignore that Nathan is in his WINTER, FLANNEL pajamas in the middle of July. It’s a super-hero-thing and who am I to protest..the kid has flair and I LIKE IT!)
Nathan, carefully and ever so patiently, helped Samuel open his presents “hand-over-hand” so that Samuel could be involved.
And Samuel was enthralled and thrilled with every present (except maybe the clothes, but that’s to be expected of any seven-year-old). He got a ball, a movie, some puzzles, some clothes, a picture of Smokey the Bear and a new blanket.
But best of all, was the cake! It was a simple cake, made by mom and Wes, but Samuel was determined to get ahold of that cake as we sang him ”Happy Birthday” and helped him blow out the candles. And, not surprisingly, he succeeded. Good for him! He got cake all over mommy and himself - which he seemed to think was great. But, eating the cake was a whole different story! Samuel’s not a fan of much of anything in his mouth and the cake was no exception!
Before the “hand in the cake” episode. (Oh, yea, I’m watching his legs, but what was I thinking ignoring his arms!)
After Samuel grabs the cake, Mom decides to clean up the mess on her hands by giving Samuel a taste.
Mmmmmm, can you tell he likes it! (Feel the sarcasm here…it’s good my feelings don’t get hurt easily!)
Ahhhhh, cake torture time is OVER!
All in all, it was a fun birthday and the twinkle in Samuel’s eye when I told him all day long that I couldn’t believe he was seven-years-old was absolutely priceless.
So, Happy Birthday to our little boy. I remember when you used to wake me up each morning with your big eyes, huge smile and a sweet little, “Mommy…mommy…mommy!” Now, my favorite days are when I wake in the early hours of the morning to the sound of sweet laughter coming from your bed. It always reminds me what a miracle you are and how blessed we are to still have you here. And there are very few mornings that pass by without you greeting me with that huge smile and those big eyes of yours as I come into your room. We love you, Samuel, and may this year bring you YOUR dreams, whatever they may be!
Love,
Your Family
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August 19th, 2010 at 7:45 am, Sylvia Says:
BEAUTIFUL!!!
September 1st, 2010 at 7:59 pm, Sharon Jewkes Says:
Just got back home. I have been in Salt Lake for a few weeks. It was great catching up on your posts. Happy belated birthday to your two boys. What great photos. While in Salt Lake, I read that your Uncle Dick passed away. You have my sincere sympathy. It is good to know that death is not the end, but it is a transition in our pathway through eternity. It has now been ten months since Creig passed away. It is still difficult. My love to all of you. P.S. So happy that Samuel will be getting a new bed!!!