Birthdays!

Its a pretty monumental week in this house. We are kicking off our renewed endeavor to get to know our neighbors. It is my birthday week! :) And Caleb is now 8 weeks old! :)

My hubby has been quite convicted about our relationship with our neighbors. I am admittedly the hindrance in further steps to befriend them. Not because I don't want to, or because they aren't nice, but because I'm nervous about entertaining, making dinner, and taking care of my guests conversationally at the same time. We chat outside, or in garages; We help our neighbors with broken equipment and outdoor jobs. But we haven't had many of them into our home. We really began praying about and for our neighbors in the latter half of last year ... And praying for my heart as well. I want to be fully given to the ministries God has called us to, and if He is calling Stephen... He is calling me too. My nervousness is little cost to sharing the love of Jesus! So, we think we have figured out a way that makes me more comfortable. Instead of a full out dinner each Wednesday, we are starting with inviting neighbors over for desert. A simple, tasty desert. :) I am so thankful God gave us the idea! I think we might actually get more folks to come over this way as well. It's more informal, and might help put new friends at ease. (I hope!)

So we are going to boldly press forward in befriending our neighbors - particularly by inviting them into our home. Loving them, helping them, knowing them, and sharing Christ.  We have our first friends coming tomorrow and I am really excited to get to know the sweet family better! 

And it is my birthday week! One of my sisters is cool enough to have a birthday month, but I mostly have a birthday week. :) and it has been so fun already! I got to see all my sisters already and my mom. Stephen surprised me with a delicious pizza dinner and is leaving me sweet notes all over the place. And Caleb is gifting me with innumerable smiles. I don't know what all we are going to be doing this week to celebrate my upcoming birthday... But we have two parties happening, I am going shopping, and am treating myself to Starbucks and a cupcake. That at the very least always happens on my birthday. :) Because coffee and cupcakes are my favorite. :)

Today was definitely a memorable day because our Caleb is 8 weeks old! I know anyone reading only hears, "Bla, bla, bla" when I say: he has already grown so much! But it is so true! His little fingernails were so tiny when he was born and now his thumb nail is almost as big as my pinky nail! Ok... Maybe 3/4ths as big. :) But he is such a miracle and God is mighty to sustain his little body! 

Dear Sweet Caleb,

Happy week birthday, my Son. What a memory of a day!

Today Caleb, we are praising God! We were told that before about 8 weeks, babies can't localize an infection and it would be very dangerous for you to get a fever. Sickness seemed very close several times since you have been born! Daddy had a fever the day before I went into labor with you. And at Christmas the whole family had the flu! We were very careful to protect you and my, how we prayed! And God answered so graciously! None of us have gotten sick. You have been very healthy these 8 weeks and I am so thankful to The Lord! Spinal taps, needles in kidneys and catheters are not our friends right now. And I never want you to HAVE to know them. Every day, I thank. God that he holds you in His perfect hands.

I love you dear son, 

Your Mommy

Every day around this home has been very sweet. Stephen and I are still on our honeymoon, and Caleb adds to the party!

Common sayings:

Re-DI-culous

Milk face!!

Stinky diaper? "Oh, son you are SO TALENTED!!"

Common nicknames for Caleb:

Little son,

Pumpy-kin

Little buddy,

Dr. Brown - because when I pick him up for a nap or after he eats, his hair on the side (which... Is pretty much the only place he has hair... Just keeping it real. :) sticks straight out and up giving him an uncanny resemblance to this character:

Jaguar Son - because occasionally when he is offended the pitch of his cry is a bit wild. :)

Family nicknames:

Cawelub - from my sisters 

Precious nibblett - my family and a neighbor!!

Chubs - Grandpa Foster

The bambino - Grandpa Fasolino 

These are just some pictures of our precious day. Caleb is my laundry buddy, he loves to play, and never can wait for Daddy to come home!

Simple Thoughts... And pictures, of course!

Simple thoughts on the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 ~

"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Our Father in heaven:
You love us - tenderly as a father loves his son. But unlike an earthly parent being in heaven because he has died, You are in heaven because its your home. You LIVE outside of time as our God.

Hallowed be your name:
Fathers are loved and respected, but you are wholly holy. You deserve more honor, respect and worship than we could ever give. Even your name is to be upheld and feared.

Your kingdom come:
Father, God, Holy and KING! You are over all. Your righteousness and might is certain. You have a land and a people. A kingdom that is realized and is being realized.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven:
Your control is everywhere. Your primacy is not effected by place or physical matter. Your desires are beyond time. You craft history as a carpenter whittles his imagination onto the wooded structure of his choice.

Give us this day our daily bread:
You are the provider of your children. You meet our daily needs - and our eternal needs. You are the one who graciously gives us food to eat. You are the eternal bread that satisfies our everlasting hunger.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors:
You are our Judge. We require forgiveness for every wretches sin. But more, we owe you everything and are incapable of repaying. You owe nothing to us, but we have every trial and every blessing from your good Hand. We deserve nothing we are given... but you keep giving. From friends, joy, and cupcakes to husbands, sons, and eternal life. Everything we receive only places us in more debt to you.

And you are our model. it is your behavior that we are to mimic and follow. We are to shower love, forgiveness and grace upon others - expecting nothing in return. For You give us mercy knowing we can never repay and are completely undeserving.

And lead us not into temptation:
You are the shepherd of our souls. You guide the path of our physical lives and direct us to righteousness. Not sin.

But deliver us from evil:
You are a warrior. You protect us from wickedness, and keep us from the Destroyer. An awesome God. Mighty to save!



Indeed, God, Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory FOREVER! Amen!

And NOW ...
Some pictures of my super handsome, adorably cute, incredibly sweet little SON! :)