A testimony. A resource. A memoir.

Last year I sobbed and sobbed through sentences as I prepared for Eleanor to start Kindergarten.... and exactly one year later, here I am again, prepping to send my baby boy to school. Its funny, because I am not as emotional as I was last year {yet...} but I am exponentially more excited to see what all this year holds in store for my Tripper. Buddy, since the day you were born you have lived up to your name... in every way. You really are the strong-willed warrior (William) that we prayed you would be. Sometimes, I wish it wasn't as heavily weighted on the "strong-willed" portion, but you know what, I don't really mean that. Because here is what I see in you.... someone who is so convicted of his desires that literally neither hell or high water will keep you from accomplishing or getting what you want. Currently, this makes parenting you VERY hard. But it makes the duty of shepherding your heart incredibly exciting.... because what greater prayer could we have fo...

Tripper's Birthday Party was also on his actual birthday... for some reason, I just love that both of my kiddos were able to have their parties on their actual days! Seeing as he was born the day after Thanksgiving, we figured it was perfect (and probably the only year) that we could celebrate "Our Little Turkey!"... the party was SUPER simple with just our families, small group and the Rives family... we had moved into our new house the week before, so it was bare-bones, but perfect. We served a chili bar (forgot to get a picture of that!) with both white and traditional chili and all the fixings, veggies and hummus, chips and dip and turkey cupcakes... SUPER simple :). Tripper's Birthday cake.... The day before the party, we decided to make a last-minute outdoor chalkboard for our fence... to this day, it is one of the kids' favorite activities! It is hard to look at this picture below without crying... I can't believe these blue...

It is official... we made it! You are 12 months, ONE YEAR OLD, and we lived to tell about it!! Kidding, kind of. Buddy, Happy Birthday.... It has been hard for me to muster up the will to write up this little entry for a variety of reasons. One, I am tired. Two, I am kind of in denial that we are actually here. Three, I am too busy. Four, This sentimental momma is just a wreck seeing this chapter come to a close. Now mind you, you are still my little baby... but you are growing into a little boy more and more everyday and I can't believe how rapidly the time passes. You finished out your first year with a bang... read it however you want :)... but there were some really high-highs and some really low-lows... regardless, days with you are precious and not taken for granted. Truly.   We will start with your stats.... you weigh 18.14lbs (20%) and you are 31.5in tall (97%).... so, true to the Rector brood, thus far, you are tall and lanky. You are still wearing 9-12 month ...