"Happy 7th Birthday Elijah"!

I know I write this every year, but I mean it every year - I can't believe how quickly the time is passing by and how quickly my son is growing!  How in the world can I have a 7 year old?  I don't know, but I do, and he's a pretty awesome 7 year old!

Elijah, in many ways is the same baby I held in my arms 7 years ago, but he is so different now too.  There is a familiarity in this big boy that can take me back 7 years in a heartbeat...., yet there is this new child emerging, that I am learning about every day. He continues to be very thoughtful and compassionate, extremely empathetic toward the needs of those around him, and is always taking everything in - even when I don't always realize it!  He is a "quiet thinker", and will bring up something someone said or did days before and want to talk about it. He is very insightful and just seems to "get it". He is as loyal a friend as they come, and will be your friend until the end. He will seek out the "underdog" and go to them every time. He is definitely beginning to feel that tug of wanting to hold onto his "babyhood", yet also wanting to let go and grow up.  It manifests itself in various ways now - the toys he plays with and some of his behaviors. This is a very normal part of growing up!  He is also feeling the pull of wanting to be with me alot, but also now really moving towards his Daddy...., as he should.  He and his Daddy have a wonderful relationship and I could not be more grateful. But, his nighttime routine is not complete without his momma!  He still wants to rock with me every night, but I have noticed recently he isn't as comfortable in the chair with me anymore because he is SO BIG, so now he wants to just lie in the bed and talk!  We have marveled at his physical growth this year and then it dawned on us, since he was an infant, we have prayed for him every single night of his life that he would grow in "wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men". God is certainly answering that prayer! I look over at him, and I realize I am lying in bed with this huge "man child" - yet he is still my little baby boy.  I do cherish the conversations we are able to have now though...., they are some of my most precious ones of the day.

Elijah is still a busy boy, hopping and jumping around, and being loud!  He loves Legos, his guitar, listening to music, playing outside, trying new sports, video games, picking on his sister, and still loves Star Wars!

Elijah accepted God's call on his life the evening of November 16, 2015.  The name "Elijah" means, "THE LORD IS MY GOD". My heart is humbled and overjoyed at the Lord's graciousness to answer our prayer for our son, that God would capture his heart and affections.  God allowed me to be the one with Elijah the night he acknowledged his need of a Savior, and it was the most precious conversation of my life. We had many years of conversations with him, but the words coming out of his mouth that evening, were Spirit discerned and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord reached down and took hold of my son that evening. He realized there was nothing he contributed to this new relationship but his sin, and it literally brought him to tears. We lay there together in the bed crying, realizing both of our needs for a Savior, and He was gracious enough to provide Himself for us.

My dear son, may you never forget who you now belong to.  "You do not belong to yourself, you were bought at a great price"..., and may you continue always to grow as Jesus grew, "in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men". 

We are always here for you Elijah - always.  There is nothing you can do to make us love you any more, and nothing you can do to make us love you any less. We love you because you are ours. We love you unconditionally, always and forever. 
Love, 
Mom and Dad 

He wanted "space ship" cupcakes.  This was about as good as it was going to get! 

Last night of being 6 

early morning birthday breakfast outside 

7 today! 

love Ellison's expression! 

I don't think I got $50 when I turned 7??!! 

Expressions are priceless 

Blurry, but I thought such a cool shot! 

She spent her time "spinning" at the bowling alley 

Silly boys - Elijah, Chas, Michael, Logan, and Patrick (friends from church, neighborhood, and school)

No birthday is complete without cousins! 

Bradford decided she wanted his birthday dinner to be "Hawaiian" themed!  She and Ellison had a fun time getting dressed and putting it together for him. I think he was too tired to care or be very impressed, but the rest of of thought it was precious!