Happy Birthday Eli!

Yesterday Eli turned 5 years old. It turns out he inherited his mother's slight (barely noticeable really) tendency to be a birthday diva. We heard a lot of, "I can do that because it's MY birthday", and "Its still my day, my birthday isn't over until next week" kind of comments. I'm sure it will be just as charming when I repeat those sentiments come August. But anyway, he was one excited little boy. We celebrated with an overnight hotel trip, lots of swimming, eating out, ice-cream, new golf clubs, his pick of the dinner menu, and more ice-cream.

 

Eli, what a huge personality you have. You are loud and strong and can talk just about any of your friends into doing anything you come up with. Already, you are such a leader. You are the best child-negotiator I've ever met and will someday have quite the booming sales career, if you don't end up competing for the MMA championship instead. Your favorite question is "why" and you tell BIG stories, so we know you have a  fantastic imagination that will always keep you dreaming. You are tenderhearted and kind, and love to do things that will make people feel happy. You have a keen sense of observation, often complimenting me on a new shirt or the way I've rearranged the pantry. Life is one big race to you, and you are in it to win it. If we give you a task and a timer countdown, you will not disappoint in meeting any goals. God knew that your parents could never be satisfied with a docile, laid-back, shy little boy. And so he gave us you. And we couldn't be more thankful for the amazing kid that you are becoming. You are going to be a world changer, little one.

Happy 5 years! xoxo

 

Is this thing on?

Since I've fallen way too far behind to give a detailed account of all the happenings in our crazy, busy lives of late, I will borrow from my favorite FOX "News by the numbers" segment and fill you in with just the important stuff.

147-is the number of doctor's appointments I have driven Gavin to in his almost 10 short months of life. That is not a typo, I actually went back and counted. Need to be organized much?? This kid has a rap sheet a mile long and just about every specialty and sub-set of medicine has gotten their hands on him at some point.

6- has been the average number of appointments per week since Gavin was 3 weeks old.

3-is the number of ways I bribe Eli and Norah during above appointments. Tablet games, stickers, and lollipops. Because finding a babysitting 147 times just isn't possible. And they have been amazing through it all.

52- is the number of days until Gavin's cochlear implant surgery is scheduled. May 24th. We are finally in the home stretch! Praise God.

100,000- is the average cost of getting bilateral cochlear implants. Thank goodness for insurance, and secondary insurance, and a husband who is gainfully employed to cover the rest.

65- is the number of days until Gavin turns 1. And what a birthday present he will be receiving. If all goes according to plan, Gavin's implants should be getting activated right around his birthday. He will finally be able to hear us tell him how much we love him.  And oh what an earful he is going to get from me!

And that is the quick and dirty version of  a very long and trying past few months. We are thankful for God's leading and the peace we are feeling for Gavin's upcoming surgery. This passage has been my sanity check throughout the uncertainty and fear of this whole process. I hope it can be a blessing in your life as well.

" Oh people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears you, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

 

-Isaiah 30:19-21