Sawyer's 12th Birthday

Sawyer turned 12 on November 27th!

Our first look at Sawyer...every baby is so very precious, so fearfully and wonderfully made.  

He was our tiniest baby and would curl up his legs up like a little frog.

This was our first outing.  We went Christmas Tree hunting with our friends the Kochs. 

And just who are all these "big" kids?  

Sawyer enjoyed a scavenger hunt that Phil took forever to make.  He had clues all over Silverton and at church that morning.  He got a few new Wii games and some lego sets.

He really wanted this lego figure.

Playing games...all afternoon, a rarity for sure.

Reading Picasso books.  

Phil taking a snooze before the guests arrive.

My parents and my brother and Tina and cousins came for dinner (taco feed) and dessert (pumpkin pie).

Serving the birthday boy

Cousins

I try and do a little write up each year about the birthday child.  I tell you, this year was more of a struggle as I pondered what I wanted to say.  We had a whopper of a year.  First, we finally had a "diagnosis" for the learning struggles and a new direction in how we teach.  As well as some encouragement to seek ADHD testing.  This has really pushed Sawyer and we have seen some character issues that have come to light when he is asked to do hard things or things he doesn't want to do.  You know what character issues in others are?  They are a chance to deal with your own character issues.  Truthfully, I don't really like this and I feel like a failure much of the time.  Both Phil and I have been challenged in our own personal struggles with patience and frustration and for me, being overwhelmed.  Sometimes it is hard to wrestle through your relationship as a sinful person dealing with a sinful person.  The Lord really brings together the dynamics in your family.  He molds and creates each child as a unique and special individual and then He brings them all together to love each other, learn from each other, refine each other, and get along with each other...to show grace and mercy and forgiveness...the flip side of this is two fold - you can see your own struggles in your child and as they mirror the very things that you are trying to train out of them AND you didn't choose the relationship dynamics.  Sometimes your children are just like you...and that can be hard.  Children growing up is a complicated business and I thought colic was difficult!

I think this is where prayer (which I am really terrible about) needs to be a lifeline.  Prayers to take that stubborn heart and make it a heart that stubbornly devotes itself to You.  To take that analytical mind and use it to connect with you, to think about this world through Your Eyes.  To take that intelligence and turn it into Biblical wisdom.  To take that sensitive spirit and turn it into compassion.  To take that repentant heart and mold a humble spirit before You. And through it to call this boy to you and use him for a great and mighty purpose by serving you with all his heart.  And Lord, help me to honor you in the way I parent my children and forgive my many mistakes and cover me with your grace and mercy.  

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