My Boy

I don't usually like to do these "blogs to your kid" things, but I'll make another exception for Caleb today. (The other exception was for Carly's birthday).

Dear Caleb,

Oh, what a joy you are to me! Today is your 4th birthday and I couldn't be prouder to be your mommy. It really was just yesterday when you looked like this:



and your hands were so tiny it made my finger look gigantic. Oh how you've grown. It makes me sad to think about how quickly the last 4 years have gone by, but excited at the same time to see what a wonderful little boy you are becoming. You are definitely not a baby anymore!



You have a sensitive heart, and that makes me proud, and also keeps me on my toes to remember that you are always watching me, and what I do and say goes straight into your mental files. The things you say and do make you look like such a big kid. I hate it! I love it too! You'll find out someday that mommies are weird, we cry all the time about our kids and it's happy tears at the same time as sad tears. Some days I look at you and feel my heart about to burst in my chest with pride for how smart, grown-up, good-looking (like your daddy!) and sweet you are. I love to watch you guide your little sister and help her learn to do new things. I love how you *mostly* include her when you play. I love how you *almost always* try to be a good example for her. You are the best big brother!



I pray that you would keep growing up big and strong, and eating your carrots, so that you can be a great man of God someday. I pray that the Lord is preparing you to be a godly husband and father, and I pray that your future wife will grow up strong and godly. I pray for your sweet heart and gentle spirit to be protected and nurtured by all those you come in contact with. And I am selfishly praying for God to slow time down so I can enjoy these days for longer. Most of all I pray that God works in your heart so that you will come to know him in a personal way, and can be a shining light for Him to others.

Giveaway at AlexiaJean

I'm doing a giveaway on my other blog, http://www.alexiajean.com



If you are a reader/follower of this blog, just take a sec, do an extra little clicky, and go next door and enter my giveaway. Especially if you have a baby boy, a baby girl (which will be the next giveaway), know someone with a baby boy or baby girl, or are a grownup who likes to give gifts to people who know people with baby girls and baby boys. That should pretty much cover every one of you! Now GO, read the instructions, and enter the giveaway!

I'm a playa

I decided to take the plunge and join the orchestra. This is actually a decision I've been toying with and praying about for a few months. You see, the orchestra meets and rehearses at the same time as the choir, of which I am an active member, so I was torn. Worship with my voice or with my instrument?



It really was a decision that caused slight anxiety for me. It seems silly to some of those non-"Music People" as Greg like to refer to my "kind" (haha) to be so stressed about such a thing as this. But there I was. So my prayer was for a clear answer, and for enthusiasm for one or the other. And the answer came to me through a process. At first I was not excited about doing orchestra. In fact I did not want to. Then through a series of circumstances that really don't matter to anyone but me and God, I became excited about the idea. I could hardly wait til Wednesday evening came and I got to go play. And so now, here I am.



Give me a couple more weeks before you see me on stage, because it's been about 9 years since I played, and my lips and technique aren't quite back up to par yet.

The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:

“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”

1 Chronicles 5:13