To the Secret One soon to be revealed...

Dear Hazel,

Today, April 11th, is your due date.  But we will see when you actually get here.

To tell you the truth, I'm glad you did not come early.  The many events (some good, some hard, some sad) in the last few weeks would have competed for attention with your arrival.  But all that is mostly resolved and most importantly, you now have my full attention.  My heart is devoted to anticipating your arrival; I am filled with joy.

It is the most perfect spring right now.  The weather is perfect: a nice mix of occasional rain, cool air and sunshine.  All the trees are new-leaf green.  Grass and flowers cover the open spaces.  Nature bursts forth on the earth trumpeting the new season.  It is indeed a time of looking forward and celebrating what is to come--what is just about to come.  And whatever it is, it will be glorious.  This new season will contain new expressions of God's glory.

This is your season!  You are part of all the life that is springing forth.  You are part of the glory God is birthing on earth right now.  One of my favorite passages in the bible says, "He determined the times set for us and the exact places we should live."  Springtime in Austin, Tx was the time and place set for you.  Why this time and space was chosen for you is a mystery that will be revealed to you throughout a lifetime.  But without a doubt, your timing is wrought with divine purpose and joy.

Oh sweet daughter!  I cannot wait to hold you and gaze upon you and marvel at all that you are.  We can't wait to call you by name and welcome your beautiful self into this world.  But me and your father are not the only ones...a whole family awaits you!  Three sisters and a brother eagerly look for your arrival; they are so curious to know the next member of the V Force.  All of us love you, so much, already.  Indeed, you have been hugged, kissed, whispered and sung to, prayed over and blessed for nine months now.  Though in ways unseen, you are well woven into the fabric of our family.  And now,  your particular pattern is about to be unveiled!

We will see you soon Miss Hazel Lee.

With love,
Mom

Stars align

Austin made constellations at school. This is the Big Dipper and The Jesus Cross.

Austin the Magnificent

Austin grew up so much this past year.  But to tell you the truth, I often sense that inside the mind and heart of our little boy is full grown character from some epic tale that has already lived epic adventures and traveled the world over.  It's as if there's an ancient sage trapped in a little boy's body patiently waiting for the size, skills and faculties to properly tell his story.  When he was born his Aunt Jana looked at him and said, "Those feet have already been places."  I think it's true.

Thus, it is so exciting to watch him grow and learn and begin to express his inner self  in new ways.  Here are a few of the attributes I've seen emerge this past year....

STEADY LEARNER

This time last year, Austin was in preschool.  He did not love the academia but did love playing with a room full of little boys all day.  Apparently, they loved him too.  According to his teacher, Mrs. Patsy, the other boys would fight over who got play with Austin and vie for position as "Austin's best friend." Yet, through it all, Austin never showed favoritism and instead played calmly with them all throughout the year.  A year which culminated with a preschool graduation ceremony through which the typically crowd-hating Austin marched proudly and confidently!

However, starting Kindergarten was something else all together.  The first day was one of the hardest for him (and me).  It took weeks of meltdowns at home and at school before things normalized.  One day he said to me, "Mom, I don't want to go.  I just miss you toooo much!"  I'm sure you can imagine my near heart failure.  BUT as we expected, he soon came to love school.  Once he was confident in the routine, environment and came to trust his beloved teacher Ms. Lampman, we started to see him truly enjoy using the new skills he was learning at school like doing science experiments and writing stories!!

CLEVER BUILDER

This part is not new.  He has been making cool stuff ever since his little hands could stack one thing on another.  Building is definitely one of his outlets for creative expression, and it is fun to watch his creations become more intricate as his academic skills increase.  This is typified (as any mom of a 5-yr-old boy will tell you) by the foray into Legos...

BRAVE ADVENTURER

Okay, this one is not so new either.  But this year he had the opportunity to explore new lands and use new tools that are essential to the spirit of adventure. Running wild in the Redwoods, hiking for miles to discover a black sand beach, wrestling waves and for sand for hours--those experiences are soaked into his bones and will not be forgotten.  Building fires, wielding a pocket knife and learning to bear the responsibility of both--that's new.

MIGHTY WARRIOR

He is a warrior and a fiery one at that.  I love it.  For now, he is the victorious hero of imaginary battles in which he uses his strength and cunning to combat any "bad guy" who would dare obscure his path.  I will not discourage such wiles of his imagination.  Because I believe they are good practice.  I believe he is destined to be a leader.  I believe he is destined to use his strength and his imagination to combat the real woes of our age.   There is a Victorious Hero within him, and I always want him to believe that.

TENDER CHILD

Yet for all the epic-ness about him, he is still our sweet tender boy.  His heart is full of love, innocence and purity.  He still adores his stuffed animals, is unabashed about kissing us or holding our hand and clings to us when he's scared.   I know that these childhood sweetnesses will soon be replaced by some kind of older-kid awesomeness, but for now I cherish him just as he is.

Birthday Boy

Birthday breakfast....

Waffles with syrup, strawberries, whip cream and sprinkles alongside a flaming sword cookie.

The first thing he said about the cookie was, "Oooo Mom! I like the flames!"

The next thing he said about the cookie was, "Hey look!  If you turn it upside down there's a heart!"

Those two observations say a lot about his nature.

More on that soon....