Thursday, October 27, 2011

happy birthda, eli!

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...





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.



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.

24 comments:

Tesseraemum said...

Super Sweet!! The helicopter was such a great idea!! R/C cars might be good too!!
Sweet 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

Unknown said...

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!

Chad and Kristy said...

Oh my Lori! He is really a cutie:)
Hope he had a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday Eli!

Holly said...

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.) : )

Cari said...

You're such a cool mom for giving him a chocolate muffin for breakfast...lol!

I 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!

Jean said...

Happy Birthday Eli! Looks like you had a great day!!

His smile says it all!!

Anonymous said...

I thought I was the only mom to package my baked goods and put bar codes on them!

Glad to hear about the hug! Baby steps...

Lyn

Robin said...

What a wonderful smile, so full of joy. Happy 13th birthday Eli!!

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Janet and Kevin said...

Lori,

Such 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

Angie said...

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?

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday Eli!

Lori, 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!).

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday Eli!!!!!
I love his beautiful smile!
Getting your first hug brought tears
to my eyes and a smile to my heart.

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday Eli!!! :)
Love that hug!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Gosh , Happy Birthday to Eli .. so touching that he hugged you . hang in there .. Judy

CK said...

LOVE the picture with grandpa-
and the first hug for you-
prayers as Eli learns to become a part of the Gardner Team!

Joanne Reddell said...

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!

Matilda Joyce said...

SOOOO touched... and I know that's minor compared to what must be in Eli's heart as it heals.

Tell us if you've found anything else for Eli to do during his downtime from all our suggestions.

Blessings!

Chris said...

I thought all baked goods HAVE to have a bar code...it's like a law or something?
What 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

Anonymous said...

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!

Gina said...

Looks like the birthday was a great success! He looks very happy.

Lou and Lorna said...

A hug! I love that too! Congratulations : )

Hezra said...

so loving this!

Nicole A. said...

Happy birthday, Eli!!

The hug ~ super-sweet!

All the best,
Nicole A., now in LA

LedaP said...

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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