Happy 1st Birthday Jamin Isiac!

This picture is a sneak peak of the photo session with did with our friend Sonya! She seriously needs to think about making this a career, she is so talented! 

Gosh, I am just amazed at how fast this year has gone. Thinking back to this time last year, I was still in labor at this time (just past 30hours of active labor) and so many emotions were going through me. At 1:46pm out came little Jamin. He was so perfect and we could not be more excited that God gave us a little boy to be the parents of (a huge shock to me because I thought we were having a girl lol). The weather was much like today is. It had been warm all October and the night I went into labor, a storm had rolled in. We left the hospital in pretty chilly temperatures.
I can remember just starring at Jamin all the time. I would get so excited when he would wake up, and sadly I still do (even in the middle of the night). I love it when we get to spend that quiet time together and he just cuddles with me. I cherish every time I get to hold him, cuddle with him, kiss him and tickle him because I know there will be a day when he gets to be too old and big for those things (ok, enough about that because I'm starting to tear up lol).
This year has been a great journey for both Kyle and I. We have loved every moment that we've spent with Jamin and love everything that he brings to this family! God was very confirming in the decisions we made this year, especially for me to be a stay--at-home mom. While growing up this is something I never thought I would do but can't imagine doing anything else now. Even after being offered several nursing jobs, even dream part-time jobs, I had to listen to my heart and God told me every time that being home with Jamin is the greatest job in the world! I am so blessed to have been the one that Jamin sees first after every nap. I love walking into his room and seeing his huge smile! I love how I've had to time to make all his food and know that he is eating healthy. I love how I've been able to be the first to witness his first time rolling-over, first smile, first laughter, first time eating solids, first time he figured out how to work a new toy, first first time crawling, first signs and words and first steps. I love how I am the only one he comes to when he needs to be comforted or when he is scared. I love how he always calls out 'mama' when he falls down and gets hurt. There are just so many moments that I am so thankful that I was a part of.
I am even thankful for all the things most people would think is one of the most irritating parts of motherhood. I am thankful for all the loads of laundry and cloth diapers that I wash because I know that my family has clothes to keep them warm and Jamin has clean diapers to wear. I am thankful for having to run the dish washer on a daily basis because I know my family has clean dishes to put food on that keeps them nourished. I am thankful for our electricity and gas bills because God is providing us heat in the winter and coolness in the summers. I am thankful for those nights when I awake to a crying baby because I know my baby is breathing, alive and well. I am thankful for the 10+ times I have to pick up toys each day because I know Jamin has toys to play with and fun all day! I am thankful for the days when he crying and teething because this means that Jamin is growing and God is giving him the tools he will need to eat. Most importantly, I am so thankful for a husband who works long hours because he is providing for his family and is supporting me in being a stay-at-home mom. Even though I wish every day that Kyle worked less hours so that we can spend more time together, I know that he is making a ton of sacrifices and is working hard to provide for our family so that Jamin can have all his needs met. I have an amazing husband and Jamin has one amazing father.
What else can I say? We are truly blessed. When we started this blog, it was meant for everyone in our lives to be updated in what's going on in our family. But as I look back at this past year, it has really served as the greatest online-scrapbook. This blog is telling the story of our lives and all the great moments that we have together. It is something that we will always be able to look back on. I am so excited for when Jamin grows up so that he can look at these posts and see the highlights of his life right before him.

Jamin,
Mommy and daddy love you so very much and are blessed beyond belief that God chose us to be your parents. You have given us the most amazing year of our lives and we know that our story as a family will only get better each year. We pray that you will grow to know and love the Lord and that He will guide our every decision and action as parents. Happy 1st Birthday to our BIG boy! Love, Mommy, Daddy and Malachi!