A Week of Honor

I have thought about this week's post again and again.

I have tried to come up with the perfect words for Tuesday.

I have written so many things in my head.

But, there's too much for one day.

So, to honor the six month birthday of our little Chase, I'm spending a week honoring him, and remembering September 30th. The day we met our son. The day that changed our lives forever...

Many of our weekends are spent with family in some way. The last two weekends have been full of time with our parents, siblings, and cousins. Today, as we gathered at my dad's house for an Easter celebration, we laughed, remembered old times, ate wonderful food, and had fun with a house full of kids.

As we drove home, a little tired from the day, I was once again reminded, that family is everything to me. As I drove, I just felt God say to me "Do you see the treasure I have given you?" To be able to go from laughing to crying, all in a breath...and know I am safe in each...is truly a treasure. To share countless memories and moments with these people who know me SO well...is truly a treasure. And, to feel their deep love for us and our children...is truly a treasure.

We have been blessed so abundantly. And, I could never express what our family has done for us, and continues to do for us. Family is the place we feel safe to still be sad if we need to, but also to be joyful when we want to...to share our hopes and dreams and prayers, knowing they understand us and support us and love us regardless.

So, without realizing that this would be my first post of honoring my son this week, I want to show you how much this amazing family loved my son on the day he was born. And, the amazing legacy I feel blessed that he is a part of.

Picture after picture of sweet love...mixed with sorrow. But, what I see, even through the tears, is the LORD'S GREAT LOVE for us. He thought of this whole "family" thing for just this reason. He knew we would all need each other, in the good times and the bad.

Our sweet, precious family....sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, cousins:

You continue to be a blessing to us. These last six months, our bonds together have all been strengthened and deepened. Your love for us, and for Chase, has at times overwhelmed me. Words can not express it. As I have told so many of you, we have watched you grieve as deeply as we have for what we have lost. But, we have also seen you praise the Lord as freely as we have, for what good He has done through it. Thank you for loving our baby boy, and honoring his life. Thank you for loving our daughters, and protecting their precious hearts. Thank you for bearing our burdens, and lifting us up before the Lord. It means more than you will ever know.

And, as Mark and I begin walking down new roads we never dreamed possible just six short months ago, we are so very thankful that you are still walking alongside us, encouraging us and comforting us and getting excited with us...and continuing to lift us before the Lord!

You are all the most abundant blessing of our lives. And, I am so proud to call you "family".

"This is the true grace of God." I Peter 5:12