Yesterday was Eli's birthday!!
Big 13!!
I now have four teenagers.
No wonder I can't sleep at night.
No wonder I have a gazillion gray hairs
No wonder I am spending millions of dollars on groceries.
These first pics are from last Sunday when
my parents came for the birthday celebrations...
Big 13!!
I now have four teenagers.
No wonder I can't sleep at night.
No wonder I have a gazillion gray hairs
No wonder I am spending millions of dollars on groceries.
These first pics are from last Sunday when
my parents came for the birthday celebrations...
Eli got a really cool remote control helicopter.
He loves it!
And so far it has journeyed far and wide.
Got stuck in a tree and on top of the roof, lost a wheel,
and yet keeps on going!
And here are pics from his actual big day!
Every morning it's just Eli and me up first because he catches
the bus really early.
So I surprised him with a candle in a big chocolate muffin
to kick off his special day.
Every morning it's just Eli and me up first because he catches
the bus really early.
So I surprised him with a candle in a big chocolate muffin
to kick off his special day.
Then after dinner he opened presents and enjoyed cupcakes!
(Yes, as a matter of face I do package my homemade baked goods
and put a bar code on them).
After all was done, he came up to me and thanked me and
gave me a big hug.
The first hug I have ever received from him.
Love that.
gave me a big hug.
The first hug I have ever received from him.
Love that.
Super Sweet!! The helicopter was such a great idea!! R/C cars might be good too!!
ReplyDeleteSweet guy. I can only imagine how he feels being with you and seeing all of the hugging and love and not knowing how to initiate it. He will learn!! Sheri
Lori this post so touched my heart! Eli is so hansome and what a smile. The part of him giving you a hug for the first time...oh my! Im sure you savored every bit of it and I pray that this would be just the beginning of lots more to come. Very Sweet!
ReplyDeleteOh my Lori! He is really a cutie:)
ReplyDeleteHope he had a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday Eli!
Oh my goodness, that last line almost brought tears. Look at that face. He is so happy...Thank you for living for Jesus, Lori, and following Him even when it is not always easy! (And I noticed that big box of legos. I wish we lived close by. My Jacob would be best buds with Eli.) : )
ReplyDeleteYou're such a cool mom for giving him a chocolate muffin for breakfast...lol!
ReplyDeleteI know this has been/is a tough road for you to travel. You are not alone and I think/pray about you often. I'm so glad that you finally received your first hug from Eli. It's just a comfort thing really. My hugs with Selah are much more real now. Healing has been happening here in my family. It just takes such a long time, but during that time {I think} we can drive ourselves mentally and emotionally crazy. ugh!
I love his smiles in the pictures. They look like they come from his heart. You're doing a great job, Lori!
Happy Birthday Eli! Looks like you had a great day!!
ReplyDeleteHis smile says it all!!
I thought I was the only mom to package my baked goods and put bar codes on them!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about the hug! Baby steps...
Lyn
What a wonderful smile, so full of joy. Happy 13th birthday Eli!!
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------
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Lori,
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post. I got tears in my eyes as I read that this was his first hug to you and also when I saw that picture of your dad with Eli. Praying it is the first of many hugs to come. Such a sweet birthday for him.
Hugs,
janet and gang
Best of all is the hug. A big step, friend!! And just love his smiles. Can you imagine that this was his first big birthday bash?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Eli!
ReplyDeleteLori, everything may be falling down around you, but you still have your wonderful sense of humor (referring to your line about yes, you do package and bar code your own treats!).
Happy Birthday Eli!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love his beautiful smile!
Getting your first hug brought tears
to my eyes and a smile to my heart.
Happy Birthday Eli!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove that hug!!! :)
Gosh , Happy Birthday to Eli .. so touching that he hugged you . hang in there .. Judy
ReplyDeleteLOVE the picture with grandpa-
ReplyDeleteand the first hug for you-
prayers as Eli learns to become a part of the Gardner Team!
Tears of joy right now for you receiving your first hug! How precious! What a handsome boy he is and it looked like he enjoyed his birthday celebrations. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures - loved every single one! And love you too!
ReplyDeleteSOOOO touched... and I know that's minor compared to what must be in Eli's heart as it heals.
ReplyDeleteTell us if you've found anything else for Eli to do during his downtime from all our suggestions.
Blessings!
I thought all baked goods HAVE to have a bar code...it's like a law or something?
ReplyDeleteWhat brand of helicopter? I need one or two...probably.
Take the hugs when you get them...it's tough being a teenaged boy...at least it appears that way at my house
Aw! You will never forget his 13th bday! Love that you got a hug! Now i know how you stay so skinny 3 teenagers=no food left in the house!:). Have 3 at my housr too!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the birthday was a great success! He looks very happy.
ReplyDeleteA hug! I love that too! Congratulations : )
ReplyDeleteso loving this!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Eli!!
ReplyDeleteThe hug ~ super-sweet!
All the best,
Nicole A., now in LA
Yaay! I was wondering how it was going - I know it can be hard. So happy for you and him...here's wishing more hugs for you both in the future! :)
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