Happy birthday, Nixon!

The last year was beautiful and challenging and contained all the best stuff of life. Aaron and I cried (more me than him haha) and we laughed through growing pains that have forever changed who we are and how we live. We have new rhythms that revolve around loving, guiding, caring, and providing for this sweet, one year old gift we’ve been given. I’m so thankful for the ways I have been learning who Aaron is, who God is, and who I am as we navigate raising this precious boy.

The other night Aaron and I were watching a movie and during a sweet scene between the father and son, I started to tear up. I looked at Aaron and said, “Does having a child change the way you watch movies?!” We agreed that it changes the way you view… well, everything. You understand the love your parents have for you and the love God has for all of us in a way you couldn’t fathom before —but that’s the way with most of life. Our experiences change us, opening new doors to compassion, new roadways toward empathy, new streams of grace flowing from our hearts out into the wonderful wide world.

I’m so thankful to be this boy’s mom. He is all joy and smiles. The one God knew we needed. Here’s a tiny glimpse of our last year. The year we learned the beginning steps in the dance of parenting.