Happy 7th Birthday, Lars!

We celebrated Lars' birthday with chocolate cake, new skis and a great family ski outing to the Birkie trails for a "night ski" under the lights.  Celebrating life and the joy he brings to our family!

A letter to Lars:

LARS.  Sweet Lars.  I am more thankful, more aware of God’s goodness, more focused on eternity, more patient, and yes, more tired because you are a part of our family.  The last seven years have been a journey I never could have imagined.  We have loved you from the moment you were conceived.  God knit you together in His image, in his likeness.  He has had a plan for your life before there was time.  When we discovered you had some physical and developmental “anomalies” God gave us peace in the face of uncertainty and asked us to trust him like never before.  We surrendered control, knowing that God has the power to give and take away.  The sound of your cry on the afternoon of February 22^nd, 2005 was beautiful beyond description.  After months of appointments, scans and prayers we finally got to hold you.  I looked at your sweet, scrunched up face and promised you that I would take care of you and be the best mommy I could be to you.  Taking nothing for granted we began our life together.

Every milestone is cause for celebration.  A lesson in patience.  Proof that medical experts can be wrong.  We find joy in simple things.  Swallowing.  Pooping.  Smiling and laughing.  Rolling.  Walking.  Talking.  Hugging.  Singing.  Wow!!

I have the privilege of being called your mommy.  I watch you play with your siblings, smother little Hans with love and hold Della’s hand as you walk into Sunday School.  I watch you smear your chocolate milk all over the table, play tractors and trailers and ride your bicycle.  I smile as you greet everyone in the grocery store with a loud and friendly “Hi”.  I listen for the familiar “pitter-patter” of your feet across the floor earlier than I want to get up in the morning.  I read you Curious George just “one more time”.  I watch you ski down hills and giggle with joy.  I tuck you in to bed and pray you will know Jesus and praise the God who made you.

As we celebrate your seventh birthday I want you to know that I feel so blessed to call myself your mommy.  I love you just the way you are.  Life on this side of heaven can be hard.  I pray that you will rest in the goodness and grace of our awesome God.

I love you, Sweet Lars,

Mommy