We Made It!

You have all been such a HUGE part in helping us reach the first birthday milestone! We couldn't have done it without your constant support, encouragement, gift of time, loving care....the list goes on and on. Chris and I are SO blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who truly LOVE us and have taught us so much about sacrificial love this past year!

So, heave a huge sigh of relief, give yourself a pat on the back, and say, "Phew! We made it through the first year!"

You deserve to celebrate with us........

Thank you for making our first year as parents of twins one that was so entirely blessed! We couldn't have done it without you!

Grace Elizabeth

Dear Gracie Beth,
Happy first birthday, pretty girl! I keep remembering the day your were born. You were so teeny tiny, but you had these wide eyes that just took it all in. You had the sweetest, smallest, most precious little face I have ever seen. I had no idea that day just how much my life was about to change. Through you God has been teaching and stretching me in ways I never imagined possible. I had no idea how I would mother two infants the day you were born, but God has been good and He has so blessed us through each day with the strength, skill, and understanding of how to care for two infants at the same time! I've learned so much about finding my strength not on my own, but through Him. I have learned that God sends people into our lives to love us and bless us. We were blessed mightily by the gifts, talents, and time of others. It has taken an army to raise you so far! I am in awe that God would trust me with your sweet, precious heart and I am so blessed He chose to call ME your mommy!

Grace, your name means favor or blessing. My prayer for you is that you will find favor with God one day very soon and you will call on the Lord for your salvation from your sins. I also pray you will use your sweet, quiet, gentle spirit to be a rich blessing to all that come across your path. May you reach out to others with a quiet tenderness that radiates with God's loving compassion.

You are my little blessing...full of spunk and determination. You're my go with the flow gal and it seems to take a good bit to rumple your feathers. My little page turning, sprint reading, serious, businesslike little girl; I love all God made you to be. I love your seriousness, your laughter, your intense concentration and problem solving. I love your meekness and I pray God will grow your gifts and talents to one day perhaps nurture a family of your own.

I love you, my big one year old girl!

Love,
Mommy

Joshua Christopher

Dear Joshawee,
You just turned one! Happy Birthday, my sweet, vivacious second son! I have been doing much reflecting over all this past year brought and I am so thankful God brought you and your sweet sister into our lives on the very same day! Having two of you all at once has taught me so much about how selfish and self-dependent I have been in my life. God has taught me much over this past year of your life about how to trust Him more...and how to trust the people He gives to serve and help our family more! I have learned so much about servanthood, humbleness, faith....so much and such a richer spiritual understanding of the Lord....all from one tiny package (well, two tiny packages). I am blessed to be your mommy.

Joshua, your name means God Rescues. I pray that in your life to come you will come to see and understand that God sent Jesus into this world as your great rescuer. I pray that once you know and understand this truth in your own life that you will tell the world (and I have no doubt you will) all about this wonderful truth!

You are my charmer, my bubbly, happy, inquisitive boy. I love your affectionate side when you seek me out to give me a sweet, head on my shoulder snuggle and hug. I love your curiosity and boldness! I love your charisma. You, sweet boy, have been given a gift to draw others to you through your undeniably magnetic personality. I pray daily you will harness this gift and use it to draw others to Christ.

I love you sweet baby boy. Happy first birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Getting Ready!

It is so hard to believe it is almost time....really time! We're busy at the Burris household this weekend, preparing for and celebrating Joshua and Grace's FIRST BIRTHDAY! How did it get here so fast?

Time to start baking some cakes! Yes, two cakes. We have TWO children who happen to share the same birthday, but they will each get a cake of their very own.

Auntie Fred was an integral part of cake decorating. She brought supplies and skills and taught Jacob and I how to do it!

I'm really decorating a cake! Go not-so-crafty me! (You can see the look of utter surprise on my face. I really can do this!)

I can't for the life of me get this picture to turn the right way. Anyhow, you can get the idea. Joshua's cake is a frog. Made from the same butterfly pan as Grace's cake and the head is made of a giant sugar cookie.

Grace's first birthday cake. A pretty purple butterfly.

We are all getting so excited to celebrate such a big milestone in our home. I'll post more once we celebrate! For now, enjoy the excitement and building anticipation along with us. We're having so much fun getting ready!

In Case You Forgot

Just in case you forgot, Joshua and Grace wanted to send you a little reminder that while they are twins, that does NOT mean they think alike!

Joshua says, "Hats are cool! I'm one of the guys!"

Gracie says, "Oh Daddy! You're messing my hair up!!"