In Part One of “Catching up” (which you can find here), I talked about how April was full of the beauty of the human spirit and the relationships we share. One example of that was getting to give back a little bit to the dear people who were my godparents growing up. They are people I look up to and will dearly miss once we’re gone. They are another second family, and friends/mentors like them… they’re pretty much irreplaceable. Both of our families have walked through so much together, and I’ll tell you, in the midst of traumatic events, your mind takes snapshots in a way we never do when things are going well, and back when my dad was in and out of the hospital for two years… their bowed heads praying with us, hands extending compassion, or even just a McDonald’s sandwich when we’d forgotten to eat… their love and kindness make up a lot of those snapshots.
Jesus is so evident in their lives, and I really do aspire to be like them.
Likewise, I’ve talked before about my beautiful friends Rebekah and Keith and how we’ve also walked a lot of life together in just three years. When their youngest daughter Syreah was born with some abnormalities, I watched as their world crumpled around them and they went from planning their futures to planning surgeries, from being teachers to having to be taught how to address their tiny daughter’s needs.
So when we got together to celebrate Syreah’s FIRST birthday… you can bet it was a special day. Thinking of what a fighter she is, of how far she’s come and still has to go… of what a beautiful family they are and how much strength it’s taken to get here, and yet, still smiling by the grace of God.
These are The Captured Moments:
Pink bows and dancing feet. 🙂 Good representation of these two! These two sweeties are constantly in motion. Cassara is the dancing feet in the background, and Syreah is the one leaning down to pick something up.
Also a very good representation of sweet Rebekah. Head thrown back in laughter, and arms always open. 🙂
Aw! Man, do these girls know how to melt me! 🙂 Caught Syreah toddling over to give me a spontaneous kiss, without prompting. 🙂
Awesome big sis Cassara. 🙂
You are so loved, Miss Syreah! ❤
Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Syreah! We thank God for you!
Next up was a fun trip to the big city to celebrate my dear friend Tessa’s birthday. Tessa has been wanting to go and see a musical production for her birthday for probably the last three years, and this year we were finally able to make it work! We went to go see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and had a blast.
The birthday girl! 🙂 We got stuck on the way there in traffic, so when stuck… take pics!
Our view for probably 30 minutes. Also, Borris the Buffalo from some of Tessa’s earlier travels. 🙂
We made it! 🙂
The moment you find out one of your best friends won’t protect you from a gang of ushers coming to tackle you for your camera, and end up taking a shot of your dress instead so they won’t see the flash. (It was intermission. Totally permissible, guys. 😉 )
Next up… The Cheesecake Factory! Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake = my favorite. ❤
Happy Birthday, Tessa!! Thanks for all the laughs, all the hours-worth of coffee chats, and for being the awesome-caring-creative-talented-funny-thoughtful friend that you are! 🙂
Definitely two birthdays to remember!
Dreaming of Columbines 