Monday, August 30, 2010

To Build A Stadium

My youngest, the little guy, turning 6. For months they discuss and hash the ideas for their birthdays. Months before, with a sparkle in his eye he chooses sports. You see, this momma loves to get a bit creative, and my boys anticipate Caleb's 'big game' for weeks. Forget the fact that we live in Arizona and well in the middle of August it will be 115 degrees for an outside sport theme day. Now, how to build a stadium.

My boy turning little man jumps into the planning stages. We send out tickets for all of our friends and family. Set a menu to rival any concession stand (hot pretzels, chili dogs, nachos with the cheese sauce ...) and go about fitting some type of water into every wacky game we can create. By the way, lacrosse rackets are perfect water balloon catchers if any one ever asks ...

Our stadium decorated, fans arriving in game attire, ages 3 - 87, all here to celebrate our Caleb, the bold one, who has impacted our world and will impact His. To build a stadium. To build a boy wrapped in our love, celebrated and cherished. A boy learning to run his race, and rejoicing that someday he will cross the tape to a crowd of witnesses that are cheering him on even now. Imagine the celebration. Imagine the stadium.

Counting down my thanks ... (44-61)
* squeals of delight as water balloons burst
*forgetting calories and splurging with nacho cheese jalapeno sauce
*great grandparents in the stadium
*raising our boys with family after many years without
*friends who muscle frozen pretzels with sharp knives
*115 degrees and the sweat that cools a mommy off while running
*a backyard full of friends
*candles aflame with notes of celebration in the air
*big brothers who read all of the birthday cards
*grown adults who come dressed and ready to play
*friends to face paint
*sun tea with ice cubes, glass sweating
*did I mention the nacho jalapeno sauce
*youngest boy bright with life, enjoying his "big game"
*hours of fun with new toys
*Jesus' faithfulness in providing when he gave his toys away on the mission field
*ice cream smears on noses
*our Caleb, my nose nuzzle prince

22 comments:

The Klippensteins said...

Happy birthday big boy!!

Sarah, You always have the BEST birthday parties!!

Unknown said...

What a fun theme and great ideas! You are such a good Mommy!

Love your thankful heart and grateful list!

Love you and Happy Birthday!
Jill

Denise said...

Happy Birthday to your precious one.

Debbie Petras said...

Happy Birthday to Caleb. What a fun filled day you planned. I love how unique you are Sara. I'm amazed that you were able to have this time outside in our heat. But I guess with the water sports, you could keep cool enough.

Love you,
Debbie

The Caffeinated Librarian said...

Happy Birthday to your son!

Thank you so much for your kind welcome into the Gratitude Community!

Blessings to you and yours. :-)

Allison said...

Hi! Thanks for your encouragement and visiting my blog:) Happy birthday to your sweet boy! I can't wait to read more of your blog!

Rachel Clark said...

Your list made me smile...but...how do you really feel about the jalepeno nacho sauce??? lol

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Do love your thankfulness, of common stuff also. Be thankful to have great grandparents!
kim

The McClain's said...

Sarah, So beautiful and so encouraging for me today. Thanks! Love how you wove together Scripture with your memories of the day. God is for sure shaping you my friend. You've got His fingerprints all over you!

Jenny said...

Big birthday parties are important to us around here so I can appreciate the work and fun you had. Great ideas! Very special list. I only ever had one great-grandparent until I was 8 so I always think how special it is for my kids that they are able to spend time with 6 of theirs.

Unknown said...

I love the inspiration and celebration of your boy! Aren't boys the greatest? I enjoyed the splash of glory! Nachos are fun, too!
Thanks for stoppin' by!
Daune

EA Bussey said...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Birthday to your precious Caleb. Blessings and splashes of joy to you and yours.

Unknown said...

HOW FUN and CREATIVE! What a fun time-wish we could have come :)

Unknown said...

Sara,

Thanks for stopping by and agreeing with me on my blog ... Today I could say so much more about how the Lord has met me the last 24 hours ... continuing to be grateful!

tinuviel said...

Hello, Sara! Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking time to comment. I appreciate the encouragement and am enjoying making your acquaintance here. God bless you and your family today!

Natalie said...

Sara,

A beautiful post! I love how you paint pictures with your words :) What a fun celebration for a special boy! I love theme parties and going all out, too. We actually just hosted a movie night here for the kids' friends complete with personalized tickets and cash my oldest and I made on the computer, a concession stand, and two theaters.

ginny said...

sounds like a wonderful day!! i love celebrating the birth of my children... although i always end up in a sea of tears right about the time we sing happy birthday :) they grow up way too fast.

blessings in your day!

Nancy said...

Hooray for birthdays and for family to join the celebrations and for jalapeno nacho sauce!

Leslie said...

wow, knowing you I know it was an awesome party! Happy Birthday to Caleb, what a fun way to celebrate his special day!!!

Leslie said...
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Leslie said...
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Stephanie M. Page said...

preciousness! Happy Birthday!!!