As Zachary's 5th Birthday approaches....

.......I have been reflecting on what a precious gift he is.  It's been a long (yet somehow quick) 5 years, full of many things, from stress and frustration ... to joy and incredible memories!   I am so thankful God has richly blessed me with the opportunity to be his mommy!  Out of all the women in the entire world...HE chose ME!  WOW!  

Here's my Z over the past 5 years of his life with us...
*He LOVES green...so I decided to post in green!*

Our Gift

Zachary Tyler

March 15th

7:05am

6lb 12oz.

 LOOK...at those eyes!!!!

He can bring a smile to anyone's face! 

Z and his blankie!

SO Sweet! 

 He LOVES to swim!  Such a fish...

He loves nothing more than a "jet bath" in mommy's bath!

He also loves to cook with mommy!!

He love to play outside...and motorcycles too!

That boy just melts my heart!

Whenever you come over...this is how you will find him on many days!  Clothing-less!

You can guess.....there's never a dull moment with Zachary around!  He is full of life, fun and laughter!! 

1st Birthday boy! 

He's got a SMILE on him!!!!

again....LOVES being outside!  He's a super sledder!

and QUITE curious and dangerous...this helmet should pretty much stay on his head most days! :)

 Our surprise trip to Omaha...he found a new favorite...the hot tub!

LOVE that he can lighten things up!  This is a FAVORITE of mine!  He is SO fun!!

What a DOLL!  He was SUCH a cute baby!

Truly...he is just SOOO much fun!!  I am thrilled that I get to teach him about his Creator...and that he is so interested!  He has a very special place in our family...it would not be the same with out him!

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Over the past few weeks I have asked him..."what do you want for your birthday?"  As the words came out of my mouth...I just felt a sense of disappointment in myself.  


Why am I celebrating his birth with THINGS?!  


Why is that all we ask kids...what they WANT?!  They want EVERYTHING! 


 I have been convicted to stop asking that and just focus on what we can do TOGETHER as a family to celebrate the life God has given him....his healthy, his heart, and just who he is!  I am gathering thoughts and ideas of things we can just do together to encourage him as he starts a new year in his life!  


I love doing birthday WEEKS instead of having a birthDAY!  We can celebrate over the week of his birthday..makes it even more special!  I'm sure Dominic will have some excellent ideas!  We will definitely be spending time on our knees, praising His Maker, for the incredible gift of him! 


I'm so glad we have hope in Jesus Christ...so that we don't have to have our hope in the "stuff" of life...that can never meet our needs permanently and brings disappointment time and time again!    Please join me in prayer for Zachary as his birthday arrives....that he would have a passion to seek and follow Christ and become a boy/man after God's own heart!