happy birthday, ayden!

Our little adventurer turned two on September 8th and this year celebrating his life was extra special considering that we almost lost him just days before. And all due to him biting his tongue. It seemed like just a little thing then but turned into a life threatening situation within 24 h.

I will never forget holding Ayden's limp little body in my arms, all color drained from him. David took him across the border and to the hospital and I staid home with the others, going about my daily business but also just waiting for that phonecall from David, telling me he didn't make it.

I have never been so scared in my life and yet I also recall this feeling of calm that kept a lid on the panic wanting to overwhelm me. I opened my Bible and read the first verses that popped into sight and they were from Psalms 42 and 43:

'Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.'

And I realized there was nothing I could do but put my hope in God, the one who created Ayden and who already has all the days of Ayden's life written in his book.

After a trip to the emergency room, blood transfusions and surgery we were happy to come again on his birthday and I am so incredibly thankful that he is doing so well and that we get to spend more days with him!

Ayden is full of personality, fun - loving, curious, an explorer who loves his brothers and wants to do everything they do and adores his little sister, always asking to hold her. He enjoys observing all that goes on around him, loves cars and being outside and always wants to come along for the ride whenever David or I have errands to run.

He has a special sense of humor and loves to make us laugh and he gives the best hugs in the whole world. I hope and pray I will be the lucky recipient of those great hugs for many years to come and that he'll never be too cool to hug his mom!

Happy birthday, Ayden! I'm so glad that you are a part of my life!