life is a series of celebrations

When you are a mom you quickly learn to celebrate even the smallest of events.

Example #1:  

When Brasen was in the NICU 7 years ago I remember having a "poop party" around 9 p.m. one evening with the nurses because Brasen did something they weren't sure he would ever do!.....yep, you guessed it- he pooped!

Example #2:  

Alex learned how to swing by herself last weekend- no longer am I required to swing two children at once!!!  HOORAY!  And, MAN, can she go high!!!

Example #3:

 As of today-Elijah ate a chicken nugget from chick-fil-a and did not require me to cut it up for him!!!  Now, if you are a mom you totally understand what this means.  It means that when you are sitting down to dinner in a restaurant you will no longer be the last one to start eating and the last one to finish.  You will actually regain the right to eating dinner with your family without having to get your fingers dirty pulling apart chicken so your youngest can dine!  In fact, as I am typing this I feel my face smiling at this very thought!!!!! (Now, I will tell you that he has probably mastered this skill long ago but being the "alert and aware" mom that I am I was afraid of him choking so I even still cut up the most random things- I know, it's weird!)

Example #4: 

Brasen not only can pedal his bike without training wheels but after hours of practice today he learned the art of mounting and dismounting his bike BY HIMSELF!!!!  It takes a little extra skill for him due to his legs not bending like he would like them to, but, he did it!!!!  During his first attempt I stood still and very quietly- holding my breath of course.  I didn't want him to know how anxious I was for him.  I didn't want him to be disappointed if he couldn't do it; I didn't want him to know that I was making a game plan in my head about how I was going to distract from the situation if he, in fact, could not successfully complete this mission he had bestowed upon himself on this day.  But man did I cheer when it was over!!

Example #5:

We celebrated Brian, my amazing husband of 9.5 years, today.  He participated in his second annual Tour de Cure bike ride.  He rode over 70 miles today and beat last years time by 1.5 hours!  Incredible!  The kids had a wonderful time eating chil-fil-a (which is exactly how I discovered that Elijah didn't need my assistance any longer) and watching the bikes come in as people all around rang the cow bells in celebration!  I have to admit- the stress of three exhausted children, one MASSIVE double jogging stroller, two bags of food, so many cups I couldn't count them and attempting to have grown up conversations with people passing by was almost too much for me to take at moments but as I heard the kids yell "there's my daddy!" it made the stress instantly disappear- no one will ever be able to take that very moment away from us.

As I was reading today I was reminded of celebrations all through the beautiful chapters in the bible.  Horns blowing, flags waving, cymbals clashing together, people dancing all around- I get goosebumps just thinking about it (yes, even more than I did with the whole chicken nugget ordeal).Psalm 46:10  pretty much sums it up-  "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

I stand still, I breathe His breath of life in and I don't want to move for fear that it will blow away.  At that exact same moment I am drawn to the vision of nation after nation joining together shouting exaltations to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  To bring it down to home and to a much smaller scale- mommies, daddies, infants, teenagers, grandparents, aunts and uncles you haven't seen for years will be shouting and CELEBRATING TOGETHER!!!!!  Eternal life, no more pain, no more suffering, no more feeling the need to be perfect- FOREVER.

Now, that is what I call a series of celebrations!