The post may be late, but Eli was well-celebrated on and around his birthday. It feels a little tricky with his birthday just days after Christmas - I want to be sure we celebrate, and yet many people are out of town & most everyone has had ample festivity already. I decided to simply celebrate with our Wednesday Night Dinner gang this year, as they are all such dear friends & a regular part of our lives. We went with a duck theme, as "quack-quacks" are among Eli's favorite things right now. Just a glimpse...
A little overwhelmed at all of the attention - at least one of them is
He belly-laughed over these "quack-quack" cup cakes each time he saw them.
Grace adores Mindy & is already quite fond of Baby Smith (arriving next month!)
Apparently I'm making him say thank-you for a present :)
I quickly become teary thinking back on these past two years and the day of Eli's birth. While my heart was instantly bursting with mother-love for my new beautiful boy, I was also beyond overwhelmed at the thought of taking him home and raising three very small children, and in less-than-ideal circumstances. While it has not been easy (as in, hands down the hardest thing I've ever done!!!), God has been faithful and has carried us daily in ways I couldn't have fathomed.
All of that to say, this could have been a very different couple of years if Eli was not the boy that is (his brother & sister too!). I know he is a wee boy yet, but Elijah Hope Matthew is already living up to his name.
Elijah - the Lord is my God (Eli - uplifted & delivered)
Hope - to believe, desire, trust
Matthew - gift of God
You, darling boy ARE a gift of God. You are one of the most delightful, hope-filled, joyful little boys I have ever known. I love to watch you play, to learn, to dance, to run, to mimick your brother & sister. I am your mother, yes, but I am only one of many who know you and love you dearly. Happy Birthday Hope-man!
