You're the Apple of My Eye

Pirate Birthday Bash 2010

With Isabelle's 4th birthday and Judah's 1st only 3 weeks apart, we decided a joint celebration was in order this year. Belle invited her closest friends (along with their families), and we invited family from afar to join us too.

Here's a glimpse into our high sea's fun!

Pirate Party 2010 from Aron Kirk on Vimeo.

Sea Foam & Red Ruby Punch,

Sand Dollars, Sea Scum, & Sea Weed

Shark bait,

Sea Dog Salsa,

Cannon Balls & more...

But I think the bees and the wind kept our buccaneers from enjoying the bounty of the sea.

*credit to our friend, Scott Z, for drawing our pirate scene!

Aron & I had a blast painting it to life!

Captain Kirk's Facepainting

Pretzel Stick sword fights on the Plank

Peg Leg 3 legged races (see video for some pretty comical adult footage)

And what's a pirate party without a treasure hunt?

Unfortunately, the wind prevented us from adorning the tables with our cutesy cupcakes, but we were able to stick the toppers in just before passing out the cupcakes.

Judah & his gal pal, Berlyn. They entered the world 2 days apart & spent their first hours swaddled next to each other in the hospital. Now...a year later!

We left this celebration feeling so overwhelmed at the love and friendship we have the privilege of experiencing in this life. Thank you to all who celebrated with us, to the family that traveled so far to be a part of our kiddos' big day, and for all of you who helped make it so special.

Humbled by His goodness,

ejk

Touchy Feeley

Aron, Belle, & I are all three of the "Quality Time" & "Words of Encouragement" love language camp. But Judah...he is of another breed - "Physical Touch". A few cute observations of his young heart expressing love in its native tongue:

1. At night when Judah awakes (no he is still not sleeping through the night, and YES I BabyWise...it worked like a charm for Baby #1, not so much for Baby #2) he nestles into his favorite spot between Aron & I in bed (no haters, please!). When I lay him down he stretches those little arms to their capacity in order to hold onto Aron with one hand and me with other. And he will sleep the rest of the night spread eagle holding onto to us both.

2. When he nurses (Yes, he is still nursing....again, no haters, please!) he picks up my hand wherever it is resting and gently places it on his face.

3. I've had more people than I can count tell me that when they hold Judah, they find it so sweet that he gently rubs their arm as they carry him around.

4. Each morning (and often several times throughout the day), Judah will crawl up to Belle, grab her around the neck and embrace her for an extended time...followed by kisses and snuggling.

Isn't it amazing how God has intricately inscribed even the subtle aspects of our personality from birth! I love discovering my babies' personalities and 'unwrapping' the unique marvel that they are day after day. We pray that God will show us how to communicate His love and our love in way they will understand.

Enjoying love in every language,

ejk

its coming...

I noticed its been a full week since my last post.

Thursday's post will show you why.

ejk

"Mom, Can you send my letter to Jesus?"

Belle just brought me her first letter to Jesus and asked me to send it to him.

I asked her to read it to me. Finger to paper, following line after line of scribbles, here is what she said:

Dear Jesus,

I really, really love the bike that Rachel gave me, and I'm so glad I have a baby!

And I love you, Jesus (exclamation point)!

And I really love you, but I wish I could be in heaven with Jesus.

But I really love the toys, but sometimes I get sad because I need toys to play with.

I love you. (Heart)

And I love to make rainbows out of paper. And I really want to go to church so I can see my friends.

Love,

Jesus

The magic of a moment

This morning blossomed into a most beautiful moment.

Yesterday a promised tea party never materialized, and oh the guilt that hung over my head that I didn't make time for the most important things.

I awakened Belle and requested her presence at a royal tea party.

"Why sure, darling," in the most adorable British morning voice I have ever heard.

We opened the Bible and read Psalm 146.

¹ Praise the LORD
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

² I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

³ Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

⁴ When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

⁵ Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

⁶ the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

⁷ He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

⁸ the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

⁹ The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

¹⁰ The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

We reached for the sky and felt the dirt and sat in wonder of all that he has made.

I asked Belle if she'd like me to read her a story from the Bible.

"Yes. One about a princess and a prince and they get married."

Oh, my heart yearned to impart on her in one moment the beauty of this King in love with His bride, the Church.

The unfolding of this story over all of human history.

A silent prayer pleading one day she will understand.

My mind flipped through Bible stories Kings, Queens, married.

I landed on Ruth & Boaz.

And so the scene was set & the characters unfold.

Big green eyes twinkled at the sound of 'famine in the land' and 'traveling to a far away country'.

The poor girl daily gathering left overs at the wealthy, good man's estate - she giggled with anticipation.

I thought my heart would burst as I explained what Boaz did for Ruth.

The Kinsmen Redeemer, a shadow of our Bridegroom's own purchase of us, church.

"And did you know, Boaz is the father of Obed...who is the Grandfather of David, the greatest king in all of the Bible. Well, besides Jesus, who is The King of Kings."

"That's how the story ends, mommy? That's silly!"

Oh, the beauty and romance, mystery and magic all around us.

I need to halt my never ending to do list to make time for the most important things more often.

Like, every day.

ejk