"Family Pictures"

We are moving out of state in 24 hours, and in the midst of Elijah Brooks having the stomach bug, cutting his 1st molar, getting his 12 month shots (I will have to update his 12 month stats once I get settled), saying goodbye to dear friends, and our house being turned inside out and upside down - we managed to get some family pictures taken here at our home before we moved.  A good friend from church who is a photographer, offered to take some pictures of us as a "parting gift".  It was such a thoughtful gesture and we really wanted to take him up on it.  So, we took a break from all that has been going on and took some pictures. It has been the most insane week for us, but we are hanging in there.  We are weary and ready to be settled, but rest will come in due time.  More posts to come when we move and get settled.  Please be in prayer for us as we travel in 3 different vehicles (me and Elijah Brooks in 1 car, my mom and my cats in another car, and Jay driving a 26 foot U-Haul truck).  Alabama - here we come!! 

"Goodbye lunch with friends"...

Alexa (1 on 11/5/08) and Elijah Brooks (1 on 11/7/08) 

EB has found his tongue! This is his new face!  Also, check out the lovely bruise on his forehead. He crashed into his armoire the other night while walking on his wobbly legs. 

His tongue, and his bruise! 

Sweet Alexa! 

Opening gifts with Daddy.....

Alexa with her mommy, Rachelle, opening her present 

Erin and Rachelle with their big 1 year olds! 

My good friend Rachelle and her husband Brad and their little girl Alexa, met us for lunch today to say "goodbye".  We are moving in 1 week, which is so hard to believe.  Jay and I were just talking this morning about how we have been so busy the past several months, that we have not even had time to process the fact that we are moving and leaving dear and precious friends behind.  I know it is going to hit me like a ton of bricks when I have to pull away from my driveway next weekend.  I have been savoring the time I have left with my friends.  This past week, I had a "goodbye" dinner with my dear girlfriends from RTS  (Seminary).  These girls and I have become so close over the past 2 1/2 years, as we have watched our husbands answer the call from God and go through the rigorous training of Seminary.  We all came in together as Freshman, and our husbands will graduate next May together.  We will all be moving on come next Spring - but we just happen to be the ones who are leaving first.  I met my dear friends Kelly-Jane, Kelli, Rebecca, and Natalie for dinner last week to say goodbye.  The night before, I met my other dear friends from my church, Judi, Laura, Ilse and Stacy for a goodbye dinner (though I will see them again tonight, as we are getting together with our husbands and kids tonight one last time).  Tomorrow, Jay preaches his last sermon at Bethel and we have a church-wide farewell luncheon for us after church. Today, we met the Kelly's for lunch.   Rachelle and I met during birthing class last August.  Our babies were born 2 days apart at the same hospital! We obviously developed a very special friendship while walking through pregnancy, childbirth, and our babies 1st year together.  Both of our kids had their 1st birthday party last weekend, but with so much family in town to celebrate the birthday's, we weren't able to be at each other's parties.  So, we met for lunch today for a "private party"!  

I have so many friends all over the country - and even my best friend Stephanie lives in Japan - so I know I will remain dear friends with all of my girlfriends. Saying goodbye is never easy though, and I am going to miss everyone so much. 

"The cake"

I didn't know what he would do when I put the cupcake on his tray. I think the pictures say it all! 

"Presents"...

He received so many gifts that Jay and I didn't even give him the gifts we had bought them!  I think I will unwrap them, and wrap them in Christmas wrapping paper and give them to him for Christmas!!  Isn't that terrible??  He loved his new helicopter he received from Mrs. Diana and Mr. Marco.  He also received a portable DVD player for long road trips.  We will definitely put that to good use when we move and will be further away from the Joye's.  He really loved a new book on tractors that has wheels to spin..., of course!  He got many books and puzzles that he enjoyed looking at last night, and also a blow-up penguin that he can knock down and it bounces back up.  He loved his new chair from Bebe and E-Daddy and has already figured out how to climb over the top!!!  A very special and sentimental gift that he received (which he will appreciate when he is older), is a framed print of a song that my Dad (E-Daddy), wrote for him when he was born.  Dad has written a special song for each of the grandchildren when they were born, and each song fits each grandchild perfectly - the lyrics and the melody.  Many thoughts and prayers went into composing each of the songs and they are all so special.  I tried to read the words to everyone at the party, but couldn't get through it, so my Mom read the rest of it. Dad then sat at the piano and played the melody for everyone - it was such a special time and such a special gift.   

Below are some pictures of some of his new gifts. 

New "walker" 

A framed print of the song that E-daddy wrote for Elijah Brooks

"Elijah Brooks' Song" (written by E-Daddy) 

Opening presents with Mommy (new push car carrier from cousins Wyatt and Bradford)

New "car" from Bebe and E-Daddy

New tractor from Mrs. Brenda and Mr. Bill 

"More Birthday Pictures...."

E-Daddy with EB and his new chair

BeBe and EB playing with his new tractor 

Gammy, Pop-Pop and the 3 grandchildren 

Cousin MaKenzie and EB sharing some love

Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Diana 

Mrs. Brenda and Mr. Bill 

Mrs. Diana and Mr. Marco 

"Birthday Pictures"

The invitation 

Believe it or not, I actually made these!! We also had banana pudding. 

"HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ELIJAH BROOKS"!!!!!

Today our little boy turned 1 years old. WOW!  1 years old.  I woke up this morning with the same excitement that I feel on Christmas morning. It would take forever and a day to write what I really want to write about this year.  For the past 2 days, I have been thinking back to this time last year and literally reliving every single hour...., all LONG 36 of them...., waiting to hold my precious baby boy in my arms.  This year has been more than I could have ever dreamed it would be. I fall in love with Elijah Brooks all over again, every single day.  Jay and I are so blessed to be his parents. His little soul has been entrusted to us by Almighty God - what an enormous privilege and responsibility - and blessing - is all ours.  He has touched our lives, and the lives of so many other people, deeply this year.  In 1 short year, his impact on many people has been far reaching. I am so excited to see what the LORD is going to do in and through this special little boy in the years to come.  

"Elijah Brooks, we love you and are so proud of you.  Words fail me and your Daddy as we attempt to adequately tell you how loved you are.  You are loved immeasurably and unconditionally. Thank you for bringing so much joy and happiness to our lives.  Thank you for being who you are - that is all you ever have to be. You will always be loved by us, and there is a special place in our hearts reserved just for you. Happy 1st birthday"!!  

Love always and forever, Mommy and Daddy. 

"Leaves..."

"Walking...."

Well, wouldn't you know the same day I posted about EB's new shoes, he walked on his own for the first time!!!  Today at Kindermusik, I had just told the other moms that he could walk holding onto my hands but that he hadn't walked alone except for maybe a step here and there. As soon as I said that, he stood up on his own, and walked at least 10-12 steps across the room!!!!! He was beaming from ear to ear, so very proud of himself.  And I was - you guessed it - crying!!! 

"Shoes"....

Since Elijah Brooks is taking a few steps here and there now, I thought it was time to get him some shoes.  I know the people at church probably think that we are so poor we can't afford shoes for our child, since he has been only wearing socks!!   They aren't too far off in their thinking :)  

He is able to walk now holding on to our hands, but hasn't quite taken off on his own yet.  With his 1st birthday quickly approaching, it just might happen this weekend!  And yes, I strategically placed his shoes for this picture..., no making fun!   Hey, I have to have pictures of his first shoes so that I will remember what they looked like.  Side note: they are 24 month size!