An Earthly Birthday

Bryan celebrated 29 years today! I keep teasing him that he is an old man...and I can do that forever because I will always be 4 years younger! He said birthdays don't make him feel older...life events do. Getting married, owning a house, birth of kids, etc. I will be turning 25 next week and that always seemed SO old to me when I was like...8 but now that it is coming up it doesn't seem so old! I still feel "young and hip" as you always used to say! I miss seeing you dance around and do your little one leg twist. Another thing I wish I had videotaped so that I could watch it over and over when I miss you. Oh well, I guess that is one reason Jesus gave us a memory...so we can look back on life and remember those funny moments! We wish you were here to celebrate with us but I have a feeling you ate some birthday cake in Heaven! Speaking of cake, Tobin made Bryan a beautiful white chocolate and strawberries cake! She was up til 2am making it! Such a sweet sister-in-law to him! Mommy got us some fun gift cards so we can take the kiddos bowling which is something we have wanted to do for a while now. And just so you know, Tobin and I carried on the tradition and did the "Birthday Candle Dance"!
  Tonight was hard...Colin asked multiple times to have you back. He said, "I want to see Grandpa really bad! I need to tell him I love him!" I think he is feeling a little guilty about all the times he rejected your love! hehe In all seriousness though, he really does miss you! And ya know, this never really occurred to me until he brought it up tonight but Jesus really made it tough for parents with the death conversation. He told me that you were coming back soon from the "mineral" (funeral) home just like Jesus did when he died and came back! Umm yea...try explaining that to an (almost) 4 year old! I explained to him the obvious-Jesus had to die to take away our sins and that he rose again to defeat death (like superheros when they fight their enemy and defeat them) and that He is now in Heaven and will come back for us one day. His little mind was working really hard on that information but I know a little bit of it got in. hehe
  My one lesson for the day that God laid on my heart during my quiet time was that up until now, I have always viewed "Living with eyes towards heaven" more in the "Live to bring others to Christ" sort of way which obviously is part of it. But now it has a whole new meaning because I have realized how temporary this place really is and that our eyes should be focused on our eternal home. When someone knows they will be moving they prepare...they get rid of clutter, they clean the house, etc. I need to not be living here like this is where I am staying, I need to be storing up treasure in Heaven and keeping my heart and mind clean. It's so easy to get caught up in the frivolous things of this life (tv shows, music, gossip, friendships, etc) but now all I want is Jesus! All those earthly things can't satisfy me, they can't mend my heart, they can't give me peace that surpasses all understanding. There is nothing wrong with those things, I just no longer feel like I need them. As my favorite song says, "You can have all this world, but give me Jesus."
  Looking forward to the day we are reunited! I love you daddy!
  Your Favorite Second Born,
Carley

The Birthday boy and his mommy!