Last Sunday, we celebrated our sweet, precious, little Eliana Jaine turning 3 YEARS OLD!!! It was an occasion I have been anticipating for months: writing it in our fridge calendar; checking out birthday books from the library; preparing her for the exciting new responsibility of a “big girl bed;” selecting a few choice gifts that I knew she would appreciate as they came on sale- or as I was thrifting; helping her share with inquirers how old she would be at her upcoming birthday; teaching her how to arrange her fingers in a “3;” and lovingly sharing the story of her birth + bringing her home, as the memories flowed freely of “this time three years ago.” Birthdays sure do have a way of ushering in nostalgia and with it, immense gratitude to Yahweh our Father, from whom all good gifts come. Eliana’s name in Hebrew means “My God has answered,” Jaine meaning “gift from God.” She was a long-awaited miracle straight from His hand, an undeserved gift of THE BEST kind: a baby <3.
You’re everything I ever wanted,
Brad Paisley
Everything I need…
I talk about you
I go on & on & on…
Cuz you’re everything to me!
I truly could go on & on & on about our INCREDIBLE, sweet, smart, funny, creative, curious, observant, talkative, intelligent, brave, bold, and vivacious daughter, the most beautiful little woman in the world… but I will let these photos speak <3. We had fun in our woods for Eliana’s 3-year pics & their second annual sib pics, although I immediately regretted my location choice, regardless of how intentionally I scoped out backdrops & lighting in the previous weeks. One word: MOSQUITOS!! Poor babies. Eliana was committed, however, as she had had fun picking out her outfits and was thrilled to wear Mommy’s special necklace with Psalm 127 engraved on it by my sweet friends, prior to her birth & adoption (all. the. prayers!!).
Children too are a gift from Adonai;
Psalm 127:3-5
the fruit of the womb is a reward.
The children born when one is young
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
How blessed is the man
who has filled his quiver with them!
On the morning of Eliana’s birthday, we surprised her with balloons to kick off the celebration! Her sheer joy of course warranted another photo shoot ;). After a few quick snaps, we headed inside to frost & decorate her “Shaker Baker” cake! This was THE moment she had been waiting for… so I kept the camera out. Oh man, I am so glad I did!! If you don’t get a kick out of kids licking the beater & the spatula after a particularly tasty baking session, there is something wrong with you. (Just kidding). But seriously, it got so real I had to put her hair up into a bun & just let her go, lol! (She even got to lick the butter wrapper… birthday butter, if you will). I will treasure these beautiful photos of Eliana & Judah in our sunny kitchen forEVER. My children. My greatest treasures. In their world, in all of their childhood glory.
We did take the kiddos on their first camping trip, but praise God, our phones didn’t work and we COMPLETELY disconnected, no pics, no scrolls, no posts, no calls, no texts, no phones!!! It was the intimate & fun-filled few days that we needed to connect & simply exist as a family.
I hope you enjoy my latest favorite memories of our two little arrows <3.
Oh the JOY at finally having the colorful pretties in hand!!
Happy Birthday, Sweetie. Mommy loves you forever & always.
Slow down…
Nicole Nordeman
Won’t you stay here a minute more
I know you want to walk through the door
But it’s all too fast
Let’s make it last a little while
I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly
I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can somehow
Slow down…?
