Sunday, February 7, 2010

Tyler's Birthday Party

I have no idea why it does this weird underlining thing sometimes, so if anyone knows how to fix it, let me know ; )

Anyway, I will try and share a little bit of Tyler's birthday party with you, in spite of this annoyingness (I know that's not a word, but that's okay). We had Tyler's birthday party yesterday with a few close friends. We purposefully kept it small to be able to soak in the day. There are so many more wonderful people that we would have loved to have there, we just needed to not feel so overwhelmed.

We feel like we will do something big where everyone can come and be a part in June on the day Tyler went to be with the Lord, but for his birthday, we had some simple pizza and cake, and of course, lots of balloons.

Our sweet little family
(Now it's not underlining...what in the world??)

All the goody baskets that my sweet friends put together for all the kids....
Now it's underlining again....



How can you have a birthday without an awesome Costco cake??

My sweet boy who loved every minute of celebrating his little brother!

Cooper got to blow out the candles:)


Tyler's spot ; )

A precious bird bath that my sweet friends got for our backyard. Isn't it wonderful? The little boy is holding a turtle in his hands.

Two beautiful rose bushes to go next to the bird bath. Let pray I can keep them alive ; )


Isn't this a wonderful idea? They got a toy that will go in the room at church that Tyler would be in. We can put a sticker on it that will tell how it's given in Tyler's memory. A wonderful idea my friend Jess gave me so each year we can get a toy that would be appropriate to Tyler's age that year and give it to the class he would be in. So special and a great way to honor him!
(Notice that it's Mickey Mouse, which is very fitting since we're headed to Disneyland to celebrate on Tyler's birthday...)


After all the pizza and cake were eaten, we headed outside, each with a balloon in hand to release them in honor of Tyler. My friend Katie gave me the idea to release a different color balloon for how old Tyler is that year. This year we did a bunch of light blue ones and one brown balloon, since he would have been one this year.


It was so fun to be able to celebrate Tyler's birth and to honor him. It's just crazy to think about where our lives have been and what we have gone through this year. Jerrod and I reflected tonight how this exact Sunday night last year, was the night before we had our sweet boy. I went in for an unexpected c-section this time tomorrow. We were able to enjoy our precious gift for 4 1/2 short months, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. In having him four weeks early, I always say that the Lord graciously gave us four extra weeks with him.

So here we are, a year later, still wishing our Tyler was here, but knowing that the celebration in Heaven far exceeds any party we could throw for him. I am so thankful to be able to rest in the truth that he is with the Lord.

Thank you for sharing in this journey with us and for continuing to pray for our hearts!

Love, JEN

8 comments:

  1. thank you for you sharing and for sharing your heart. what a beautiful way to honor your sweet baby boy! continuing to pray for your hearts.

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  2. What a special day Jen. I love you all so much!
    - be looking in the mail for his present.

    Love- Ash

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  3. Wow. Thank you for sharing your heart.

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  4. looks like a beautiful way to celebrate your beautiful boy. happy birthday tyler!

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  5. Great stuff! I'm glad you have such wonderful friends who share the love we all have for Mr. T.
    Love you,
    Sammy

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  6. What a wonderful birthday party and way to honor Tyler! You are beautiful, Jen, and it shows in your heart to rejoice when you could be hiding in a hole. Love you!

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  7. That is the sweetest thing in the whole world. I love how you are acknowledging and honoring. My Mom lost a little girl when she was 5 months pregnant. Joy, her name, was only live for 1/2 hour of life. Although it was only a moment, her life was precious and one we wanted to always remember. She would've been 24 years on June 2, 2010. Every year my Mom still celebrates with the same cake: a Strawberry Pizza. Joy's picture is still on the wall, and her baby book still full of mementos. She is remembered constantly. We know Joy is walking in the fullness of God's presence. Some people don't understand why my Mom still acknowledges her birthday after so many years. But I know you would. Every life is precious to God. Joy will not be forgotten.
    My Mom wrestled for many years with frustration, devastation and grief. Why does God let these things happen? It took quite a few years for her mind, will and emotions to set those questions at God's feet and rest in the peace of knowing God knows. Both my Mom's broken heart and Joy's spirit are intimately cared for, and treasured, by God...for eternity.

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  8. Wow, beautiful! I happened upon your blog from Kelly's Korner (then Bless this Nest) I think your story is amazing. I love how you stay so grounded in the Lord! God Bless
    Dawn Q
    www.dawnq.com

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