to protect the innocent...

Just FYI, I changed all my kids names on here to nicknames.  I'm not overly paranoid about posting stuff online but I figure I should be more protective of my children than I am.  So for random people who stumble across my blog, sorry you will not know the precious real names of my children.  But you''ll still see plenty of cute photos! ;)

THREE!!

Today is my little man's birthday. 

This is what my facebook status said this morning:
"‎3 years ago today was one of the craziest, awesomest days of my life when Trigger surprised us all by being born at home!! Happy Birthday to my strong-willed, independent wild child who is also the sweetest, snuggliest momma's boy! I love you, T!!"

That was truly one incredible day.  Click here to read the details of Trigger's birth, and click here to read my testimony of that experience. 

The last 3 years have been much the same- crazy & unpredictable, lots of wacky unexpected things, but altogether entirely wonderful!!!

Here's a glimpse at how much my sweet boy has grown:

day he was born! 

6 months old (um, hello his sister looks like him!)

one year old

one and a half years old

two years old

two and a half years old

 three years old today! (i love this hair!)

Happy happy birthday to my Trigger, T-bone, Tiny T, Monster Mash, and whatever other silly names we have called you.  You are so very loved and I can't imagine life without you!

Lord, make me a tree

God has been teaching me lots of things lately.  Psalm 1 has now come up in three separate Bible studies over the last few months.  And it has been very meaningful to me each time.

"Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked. 

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish."

Psalm 1

I want to be a tree.

I want to be planted in a permanent place with roots so deep that nothing can move me (Mark 13:13).

I want to be firmly planted with His Word by my side, constantly drinking it in, as my source of nourishment (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

I want to display the fruits of the Spirit, without even trying; I want those fruits to be a reflection of my heart (Galations 5:22-23).

I do not want to wither when trials come my way, but I want to stand strong through all kinds of weather or storms, drawing my strength from Him and allowing Him to be my shelter (James 1:2-4).

I want to do His will, serving only Him, and for my work to be prosperous (Romans 8:28).

I want to be a tree.

Lord, make me a tree.