Elijah is 3!

I'm still not finding the time I wanted to for blogging. Life has taken some unexpected twists and turns lately, and I'll blog on that later. Today though, I have to write about one of the greatest blessings of my life. In May of 2007, we were shocked with the news that we were going to become parents again. For those of you who know the story, Elijah was a long-hoped-for baby. God surprised us with him when we had finally resigned ourselves to not having more kids. The sweet baby to the left is one day old in that photo, and turns three years old today.

Like all of our children, I cannot imagine what our lives would be like without Elijah. He has a special place in our hearts, with his chocolate kiss eyes that disappear when he smiles big, chubby cheeks, and extremely lovable self. I often say that Elijah is an aggressive snuggler, because he attacks with hugs and kisses and wraps those he loves up in tight snuggly arms. He is smart and witty, and really easy-going in general. He loves to play Legos with Isaac, read with Abigail, and play with Owen. He was only 18 months old when we found out we were having another surprise baby, but accepted the idea of a little brother without a hint of jealousy. His main concern when Owen arrived was just that I could hold him too.

We are so thankful for precious E. He brings joy today, even with a 102 degree fever and feeling puny, because he is still snuggly and sweet and himself. We celebrated him Sunday afternoon, and I'm so thankful we had the party then, since today he would not enjoy it nearly as much. He loves being on a farm, and playing with heavy equipment, and has asked for a 'tractor birthday' since last spring. So, we rented a John Deere tractor for the weekend, and he loved riding on it so much. He was less than thrilled when the man came to pick it back up and cried, "Why they take my birthday tractor away?!" When we reminded him that we'd warned him it wasn't ours to keep, he settled down pretty quickly, but boy, that sad face would make a person want to go buy a tractor immediately....Someday, sweet E, someday, we're going to have that land and a tractor of our own. Here he is in one of his first rides with me on the lawnmower. It's still one of his most favorite things to do. He even sleeps with the keychain that holds the lawnmower key sometimes, in anticipation of cutting grass the next day. Oh, I love him and his passion for the simple things.

Elijah's name means, "The Lord is my God." We chose this name carefully, because God had clearly shown who He is when he decided to gift us with this child. He is a loving, generous Father who has temporarily given us a little boy to raise, love on, and teach, and we take the responsibility very seriously. The fact that Elijah was given life, then born healthy despite a rough delivery, and has been sustained to this age is all due to the Lord's sovereign plan for him. We don't know how long we will be entrusted with him, but cherish every day. Thank you Lord, for unexpected blessings, in your perfect timing. Many moments in these three years have been savored, but they become more precious as we have friends who have lost children at young ages recently. Every milestone, and special occasion, are treasured even more than they would normally be, when we realize what a gift they are.

This is the verse we used at Elijah's dedication at church 2 years ago. It's so fitting today, when we need a reminder of hope there is in God, because of some weighty things going on in our family. We pray that E trusts the Lord to guide him all his life, and that we are an example by doing the same:

Psalm 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.