Will you help us celebrate Luke's birthday?

I have been in memory-preserving mode lately, trying to organize photos and keepsakes. In the same vein, I would love to put together a collage or book of some sort of people's comments to him on his big THIRD birthday (Saturday the 9th). Would you help me?

Please leave a comment for Luke to help celebrate this huge milestone. Thank you, thank you!

To leave a comment:

1. Click on the "comments" link at the end of the post.
   
   
   
   
2. A new window will pop up with any comments already left as well as a text box below where you can leave your comment.


3. After typing in your birthday wishes, you will need to type in the verification word.


4. Then, it will ask you to choose an identity. If you don't have a Google account or OpenID, simply select "Name/URL". A field will appear where you can type in your name.


5. Click on the "Publish your comment" button.

Nap, anyone?

Trying to get Luke to nap these days has forced me to get a bit creative. This past week he has fallen asleep only when he's in bed with me, but today even that tactic didn't work.

"Luke, honey, you need to close your eyes now."

He squeezes his eyes shut for a couple of seconds.

"But mom, I can't see my train movie when my eyes are closed!"

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What do you moms out there think? His napping is very inconsistent these days. Of course I love it when he naps so I can get stuff done nap, too, but it consequently takes him much longer to fall asleep at night.

I would love ideas for instituting a quiet time as well, if napping is going by the wayside.

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I want to write more about Cutler's service earlier today, but in the meantime wanted to share that hope far outweighed the despair and I was privileged to be a part of that.

Why was this man born blind?

If you could have glimpsed into my heart these past few days the emotion you would have seen first and foremost was anger. I've been plain old mad at disease, specifically congenital heart disease. I'm mad that so many children are asked to endure difficult and complex surgeries; mad that medical science can't fix every child's heart; mad that Cutler passed away; mad that Maddie passed away; mad that the Mary Bridge PICU is FULL of heart babies.

I've been like Jesus' disciples in John chapter 9, trying to find the fairness in it all. In their lack of understanding, they ask Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus' response to his followers has stripped me of much of my anger. "'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"

How many times have I said how thankful I am that God is using Luke's unfolding story to draw our family and others to Him? How can I let my anger overwhelm my faith when God has given us this incredible purpose? Like I'm sure the blind man didn't love being blind, I don't think God expects me to love heart defects, but He does expect me to love Him. And that means choosing sight — seeing how God is working for good — instead of blind anger.

Although my anger is less potent, I am still incredibly sad for the families who have lost their children. But sadness can glorify God, too. It can make us all the more dependent on the True Comforter and all the more anxious to spend forever with Him in Heaven.

Baby Cutler

Baby Cutler went to Heaven tonight after fighting hard for nine months against his congenital heart defect. I met Cutler's mom and dad through our local Mended Little Hearts group and got to visit with them several times over the last week when I was visiting little Tiernan at Mary Bridge. He was the most beautiful little boy; to call him a hero is an understatement.

Thank you, Lord, for the promise and hope of Heaven. And be near to the Smith family.

Deck down the halls ...

Luke has learned the first verse of "Deck the Halls" (which he calls "Deck Down the Halls") and wanted to share it with the blog world (okay, his mama did. But you'll see why when you watch it).

Merry Christmas Everyone!