Happy Birthday Honour!

Yesterday, September 4, 2008, our firstborn son, Honour, turned two-years-old.

It seems like just a short while ago that I was holding him in my arms for the first time, in awe of the blessing and responsibility of motherhood. Now that he has grown from an infant to a young boy, that sense of awe is still strong - perhaps even stronger.

As I see Honour growing older, I am reminded that the window of opportunity I have to invest in training him is precious, for once it's gone it won't return. I'm daily challenged to make my children my first priority, rather than allowing other activities - including the really good ones - to swallow up my time. I pray that my son looks back on his childhood as a time that his heart was turned towards God because of what he experienced in his home.

I realize that no matter how hard I try to be a good mother, I will have many shortcomings. I know that I have made and will make mistakes in the process of training my children. Therefore, I rest in God's grace to complete the good work that he has started in me and in my precious son. What a joy to be able to rest in his promises!

With that said, here are some pictures of our celebration!

Here are a couple pictures of the kids sitting in the wagon Honour got for his birthday. This gift was from Dad, Mom, the grandparents and great-grandparents. As you can see, Remember wasn't too enthused about this photo-shoot. Her little pout is very cute, if I do say so myself.

The cake on the left is Honour's - a Texas sheet cake with a white-icing cowboy boot on it. I made a cake very similar to this for Ransom's birthday in 2004; this was before we were even courting! The cake on the right is Anna's. Her birthday was back in June, but because of everything that happened with my dad, we didn't get to celebrate it properly. So, Honour shared his party with her. Anna's cake was made by Paige - a "pizza cake" with a cookie dough crust and lots of different candies for the topping.

Here's Honour with five of his eight lovely aunties.

L-R, back: Raijoice (12), Anna (11) and

Radiant (6 - you can barely see her!)

L-R, front: Raydeemie (11 - holding Honour) and Katie (8)

And here is Remember with both her grandmas and another auntie!

Grandma Rhonda Mallery, Emily (13) and Grandma Tracy Rickel

Dad and Mom Rickel graciously allowed us to use their beautiful back porch and yard for the celebration. God blessed us with perfect weather!

Someone must have said something funny.
L-R: Roman (24), Mom Mallery, Remington (21) and Mom Rickel (holding Remember)

Remember thought it was funny too!

More of those wonderful uncles. Roshua (15) and River (16)

What a fun birthday party! Thanks for coming everyone.

Regrettably, I didn't get pictures of everyone who came. I especially wish I would have gotten pictures of the grandpas and great-grandparents. One day, I'll have to take pictures of all our extended family and officially introduce them on my blog.

After enjoying our cake, we played a hilarious game of capture the flag. When I say "we" I mean all the Rickel/Mallery children, including the adult children. I was very quickly reminded of why I no longer play games that include running.

Later, we enjoyed roasting marshmallows as well as funny and edifying conversation around the campfire. We didn't get to bed until almost midnight! What a nice evening.

Hearkening back to the way this post started, I would encourage you all to read an article entitled The Promise at No Greater Joy's website. You'll find it on the lefthand side of the page under "Sept - Oct 2008 Magazine." It was very convicting to me. Let's remember what is truly important.