The Birthday Boy

Today is our little guy's first birthday. Wow, how this year has flown by!!! I remember this time last year "vacationing" in the hospital. I had no idea what life was going to be like with three babies, and this afternoon I sit here realizing that this house is no longer full of babies. We have a little girl who is growing so quickly, a boy who is becoming more and more independent (now no longer in diapers, thank goodness!), and our baby who is now a year old... almost walking, and loving life! This precious gift has been our most challenging one of the three in different ways from food allergies to quite the dynamic and determined personality. He is throwing fits at a year old that Lydi began to throw when she turned three. OH MY!

All that to say that I have mixed feelings about the fact that everyone is a year older, and I know that I will not be having another baby. I will never again experience that first full year. As hard as it has been at times I will miss certain aspects of it. I know that Ben and I both feel that our family is not yet complete, but we will not be having anymore biological Parmers; however, I know that out there somewhere are babies that will one day join our family. Who knows when or how it will work out, but for now I will be content with my three kiddos that are teaching me so much. I am so thankful for their lives, and I am so thankful that the Lord loves them more than I could ever think of loving them. That's hard to imagine...

We are celebrating Sam's birthday today, but I am celebrating life in general. Thankful for his life and his first year, but looking forward to the many FUN years to come!!!

Some fun facts about Sam:
- He makes this amazing sound that literally sounds like a wild animal. It's quite impressive, and I'm pretty sure my hearing will forever be damaged.
- He is little, but it's because he is NEVER still. Even in his sleep he is active!!!
- He loves to play in the toilet, and putting the lid down only makes him want to do it more.
- He laughs at everything; mostly his brother and sister.
- He is not very fond of riding in the car.
- He loves to swing.
- He crawls faster than Thomas walks.
- He has brought me so much joy as a mom. I LOVE watching him interact with the world around him. I love watching his determined spirit solve problems and figure things out when they won't quite go his way. I have a feeling his toddler years are going to be very interesting. I think we need better insurance:)
Happy Birthday our Samo!!!!!!