Happy Birthday, Graham Oliver!

One year. Really? I'm not quite sure how that could be. I am not exaggerating when I say that it flew by. I hardly remember it happening, and I'm pretty certain I was there for every minute of it. And I do mean every minute. Graham, you are attached to my hip - a permanent accessory to my outfits. Your daddy says you will never learn to walk as much as you like for your mommy to hold you. Somehow I seriously doubt that you'll be army crawling into kindergarten.

I went through the pictures this morning in an attempt to remember the moments of the year, trying to figure out how you are no longer a little baby. Here's your first year in review...

September 24, 2007 -
One month old -
Two months old -
Three months old -
Four months old -
Five months old -
Six months old -
Seven months old -
Eight months old -
Nine months old -
Ten months old -
Eleven months old -
And now, one year old! -

So I guess you really are one. Twelve months have passed us by, and in the midst of the craziness we have fallen in love with you. Graham Oliver, you are an absolute joy. I love the way you grab onto me tightly and lay your head on my shoulder when I get you up in the morning ...how your whole body shakes when you're excited...the little dimple under your eye...the way you army crawl around the house with speed and precision (and the very dirty shirts you have because of it)...how you get absolutely ecstatic when you see grapes and blueberries - you could eat them all day long...your love for Mr. Potato Head - you can even army crawl while holding onto him...how your whole face lights up when you see your brothers...your admiration for doors and your tendency to shut yourself in the laundry room and bathroom...and I absolutely love those big brown eyes.

Your big brothers just adore you too. It's hard to believe, but yesterday you had your first injury caused by a big brother. It was an accident, but a toy smacked you in the nose leaving you to look like Rudolph. A couple of people have commented that you must be used to getting injured by now, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Levi and Ben are both so gentle and protective with you. They watch you closely and quickly make sure I know if you are even 10 feet from the stairs. And you love them just as much. You want to be right where they are at all times. And I'm afraid you are following in their footsteps, as you really want to play with the trains. That doesn't make your brothers very happy because you basically destroy their tracks and throw every train off the table.

We chose a Psalms for each of the boys before their births, and for you we chose Psalms 145.

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
So that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

This passage could not be more fitting for you and our family. God was so great to us this past year. He is indeed most worthy of praise, and His abundant goodness has called for a great celebration. His faithfulness and compassion have been more real to me than ever. In looking back at all He has taught me this past year, I realized that this has been the richest year of my life!

Graham, this is our prayer for you...that you will know the goodness and compassion of our God. That His awesome works will be evident to you. We pray that you will be "bowed down" in submission to His will for your life. That you will "call on Him in truth" and "fear Him". In a world filled with people searching for something to live for and something to believe in, we pray that your life will be firmly grounded in the truth of God's Word and that your love for Him and His love for you will instill in you great passion and purpose.

We love you, little Graham.
Happy 1st birthday!