Aubrey turned 6 years old today...

This is not a recent photo of her (birthday party pictures to be posted after the 15 children descend on our house and party down like rock stars) but it is one of my all time favorite snapshots of her. I can hardly believe the baby in the family is 6 years old today. It seems like only yesterday that she came into this world in the middle of the night (2:22 a.m. to be precise). She came into this world with big blue eyes, and a very quiet demeanor from the get go! She certainly completed our family. A few "fun facts" about our girl you may not know: her full name is Aubrey Jennifer. We named her after our good friend Jen (for those of you who did not know this Tim and I would not be "Tim and I" if it were not for Jen introducing us and playing match maker - so we owe a lot to her)!! I still remember Jen calling me in the hospital and what a true joy it was to ask Jen's blessing to use her name as Aubey's middle name - we were both crying by the time it was all said and done. It is a true honor to have a child named after such an amazing strong woman and it is our sincere hope that Aubrey grows up to emulate many of the qualities that are in her namesake!! Aubrey has had a milestone year as she completed kindergarten. She started out the year very shy and nervous about me dropping her off at school (daily). She finished the year out so strong and confident - we are so proud of all she has accomplished this year. A fond memory for me this year is every day before school she would have me draw a "kissing hand" (a heart) on her hand and kiss it, and she would do the same for me. Towards the end of the year, as we were getting out of the car I said "Oh we almost forgot your kissing hand." Keep in mind we had done one for 125+ days and she replied, "That's ok mom. I think I am too big for kissing hands anymore." Sigh.... and so it begins... Happy Birthday Aubrey - I love you bunches, bunches!!

There will be a day...

I seem to be posting a lot of song lyrics lately. All day today I have had this song resounding in my heart by Jeremy Camp it goes like this:

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel your walking on your own
But there has never been a step

Where you’ve walked out all alone
Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing….

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day, He’ll wipe away the stains, He’ll wipe away the tears, He’ll wipe away the tears…..there will be a day.

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we`ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we`ll hold on to you always

It is such a great song, and I take hope in it for those of us still here living on this fallen earth where we are not promised that life won't be full of tears, pain, and sickness. While there is much joy in this world, it is a great reminder that we are just passing through and THERE will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more. I also take great comfort in knowing THAT DAY came for my amazing friend Jen a year ago today - He has wiped away her tears and her pain!!