Then and Now Birthday

I was very nervous about Caleb's 4th birthday party. It was the first child's party I had planned, aside from gatherings for grandparents or church friends. This was a real birthday party, with themed invitations and everything. I cleaned the house from top to bottom. I went to several stores trying to find decorator's food coloring to make frosting for the firetruck cake really red, not just dark pink. Because it was a firefighter party, we arranged a tour of the fire station as part of the party. We had lengths of real hose for each party goer. We had red drinks to match the red frosting on the cake. I'm sure there were many other details that have escaped me in the ensuing ten years, but I know that in my mind that party was a Big Deal.

Today is Caleb's 14th birthday. Saturday he called some friends to arrange an outing to go go-carting. Scott took the six kids that went, I made dinner for the group after. Today, the actual day of his birthday, Caleb had a few friends over for lunch after their Mandarin class together. I made box macaroni and cheese, sliced some watermelon and cut up some vegges, and poured chips in a bowl. The kids sat around the dining room table together and talked and laughed.

I sat in the kitchen and compared the birthday party ten years ago with our celebration this year. I guess I've grown up a little myself.

My Denial

No, he's not. He can't be. Fourteen sounds really old.

You're not fourteen, are you? No. Not until Monday. I still have a few more days with my little boy before he grows up.

Yeah right, Mom. :-)

Caleb's Birthday, Part 3~ Glowing Accessories

We took glow-in-the-dark glasses, bracelets, and earrings for the kids at Caleb's birthday party Saturday night. Amateur photographer that I am, I was unable to find a setting on my camera that showed the glowing capabilities of these accessories, but believe me when I tell you how funny it was to see the glasses and earrings walking through the darkened room, with the people they were adorning nearly invisible in the dark!

I think Gwen's look was enhanced by the fact that everything seemed even bigger on her, with her small stature!

Lance has got it all going!

All the girls!

The birthday boy has a double frame look! Goes with the shaggy hair, don't you think?!

Caleb's Birthday, Part 2~ The Plans He Has

Six days before Caleb's birthday we met the Allens at church. We had dinner with their family that night, along with the Hillmer family, after church. As you may remember from the blog I wrote a week ago, entitled Sunday, after that dinner all three families went to the Hillmers for dessert. During that visit, I mentioned Caleb's birthday, and Sue Allen suggested that we all do something together to celebrate. Just the fact that Sue had that idea was miracle enough...

But yesterday it all actually happened. Late morning, after our family celebration, Scott suggested that he, Seth, and Caleb go play laser tag in the afternoon. Little did Caleb know that Rich, Lucas, and Lance Allen and Doug, Matt, and Tim Hillmer would be waiting there to play with them when they arrived. Then afterwards we all met at the Allens for dinner, cake, gifts, fun and great conversation!

It was nothing short of amazing to me. When I realized months ago that we would be in Shanghai for Caleb's birthday, I wondered what the day would be like. What would we do to make it special and fun for him, in this new and completely foreign place? I guess I didn't need to worry... the plan was already in the works.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I hope that this birthday will be a reminder to Caleb for all of his life of the way God provides for him.

Did I mention that Lucas and Matt came home with us after the party last night to sleep over? The boys stayed up nearly the whole night, having a great time together. And Madelyn and Seth stayed over at the Allens, with Elise, Lance and Tim.

Time for cake!

Gwen gets a candle to lick.
Friends... what abundant provision... it reminds me of the theme verse of Abundant Grace Church, where we attend here in Shanghai. On the front of the bulletin is the verse, "Far more than we dare ask or imagine..."

I couldn't have imagined this for all of us on Caleb's birthday, but there it was. I'm glad God's plans are so much bigger than mine!

Caleb's Birthday!

August 11th, 2007 ~ Can you believe it? My baby is 13! It doesn't seem possible. Thirteen years and one week ago, quite impatient for our first born's impending arrival, I remember saying to Scott, "There just isn't anything to do until he's finally born." I was so anticipating his birth, and since he was overdue I felt I had done every possible thing to prepare for his arrival... I couldn't think of anything else to do to fill the time until he was born. Well, we've certainly kept busy since then! Seth and Madelyn got up early to blow up and decorate balloons for Caleb. It was their idea to stick them to the dining room window. I decorated a few too, but not without popping a few in the process!

One of Caleb's requests for his birthday was breakfast in bed... with one caveat. He wanted all of us to eat breakfast in his room with him.... so we had kind of a breakfast picnic in his room!


Special gift... a cell phone! Not something we probably would have gotten him at this age if we were in the US, but here with the differences in our daily life (driver, etc.) it seems like it will be very helpful. Scott made sure Caleb understands that the phone is for local calls only... no calls to friends in Chicago with it!