{Notice: In the very 1st photo Reddington is showing you he is 1 Year Old w/ his pointer finger!}
Reddington Forrest~
It's 2.5.2010 @ 9:48 a.m...Here's to exactly 365 days or 8,760 hours of more joy than I ever knew could exist in a lifetime, let alone in 1 short year. Obviously, my "Love Notes" to you, at this age, mean nada, zilch, nothing... However, I pray that we raise you to be a man after God's own heart that has feelings & connections, enjoys childhood memories & at some point cares about what I had to say about you during the early years. At that point, you will know that your Mama truly was crazy-for-you if you haven't, yet, realized it by then. {I'm pretty sure you won't have any doubt about that!} I always knew I would love to be a Mom to a BOY but I had no idea just how much I would adore & LOVE that task when assigned to me. There is just something special about a Boy & his Mama. It's unexplainable- just as I'm sure the same relationship exists between a Mother & a Daughter--at least at our house it did.
I have been thinking about what I could say to you on your very 1st Birthday that I haven't already said to you in one of the previous letters or Blog posts...it's proven to be rather difficult; Here it is: I want to say that I'm so proud of you & know that you were not created by your Daddy & myself. You were created by the All-knowing, Omnipotent, Creator of this Universe who heard our prayers & our family's verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart" {Psalm 37:4} when we prayed, quoted, discussed, & eventually spoke it into existence after 15 long, emotional months of infertility. You are the blessing, the first born, the reward, the child that we prayed for. You have lived up to every expectation we ever dreamt of, thus far. You have given us a joy & happiness that we didn't know was possible. We know that you will disappoint us, as we will disappoint you. However, will continue to pray & love you the best that we know how & embrace you for who you are, not for who we want you to be.
Your 1st Birthday is not about the "rockstar" invitations, the musical games, the cupcakes, the birthday wishes, the photos, the gifts, the treat bags, the munchies, it's simply NOT. It IS about CELEBRATING 1 year of pure BLISS...REFLECTING on an incredible year, & wanting you to feel the LOVE & JOY that we feel for you, along with your family members & dear friends that will come to celebrate YOU at your party. I have thought about this a lot lately--Am I over-doing it? Am I putting too much thought into a 1st Birthday Bash? And multiple times I felt a resounding "No" Since we have chosen to give credit where credit is due {Jesus} we cannot over-celebrate this answered prayer {Reddington's life}! Of course, we think about the future & look forward to [Lord Willing!] the total blast, roller-coaster- ride that we will take with you through life, activities, sports, school, church, & everything else you chose to experience & share with us. We desire to always be hands-on, supportive, encouraging parents that will be your biggest cheerleaders through LIFE, with Jesus' help. We will make mistakes, apologize, & love you with a love that you won't be able to describe, as I can't exactly put into words the love we have for you.
That is why I have created this Blog: to document, remember memories, feelings, & raw emotions as we parent you. I want to try my best not to miss or forget a darn thing. Seeing the world, traveling, helping others, & embracing opportunities are just a few of our dreams for you. We're all about EXPERIENCING life. DOING life & not having a single regret at the end of this road called "life." Last but certainly not least, Thank you. Thank you for every single *hug *wave *laugh *smile *cuddle *dance that you have given us, so far. Thank you for showing me what a Godly, wonderful husband & father Nathan is. Thank you for allowing us to parent you the best that we can, which will include making a lot of mistakes.
We ask for the Lord's help in guiding & directing you to the Father so that you can serve Him all the days of your life. That is our only requirement of you: That you know the Lord, serve Him, & give Him thanks for the great things He has done~ We will consider ourselves blessed & complete if we accomplish that 1 goal.
Reddington, you have changed our lives & showed us what it truly means to 'lay our lives down' for another. We would lose our lives in a heartbeat if we needed to, to save yours. We love you from here to eternity & back again, blue-eyed, heaven-sent, miracle baby boy.
Happy 1st Birthday, Reddington!
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