Saturday we celebrated Tyler’s first birthday! People are right when they tell new parents, “Enjoy every moment because it goes by so fast.” So much has happened since last February that it seems like Tyler has been with us for a really long time. But then I also think, “Has it really been a year already?” (You can see mine and Bobby’s first year pictures above!)

I looked at Tyler’s baby book this weekend and can see how he’s grown since this time last year. The growth seems small–learning to sleep though the night, push up on his hands or eat solid food–but those were all necessary to keep growing. Now he is walking along furniture and walls (still hasn’t tried to stand alone!) and talking to us. Last week Tyler said, “Apple.” There’s also a big difference in how he is much more interactive in playing with toys and he remembers certain people and is happy to see them again. He has even started giving me hugs and kisses and I love that!

This weekend Bobby had the opportunity to teach 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 in the main services. He talked about how to evaluate your spiritual progress. Bobby mentioned Tyler’s birthday and how his growth is obvious, but it isn’t always like that in the Christian life. Our growth doesn’t hinge on physical time passing, but on developing godly habits of responding to the Word joyfully even in trials, serving with the whole heart and echoing the gospel to everyone we know. With Tyler, I can see his growth by just looking at pictures from the hospital and then looking at him now. In our lives we should be able to see marked spiritual growth with the passing of each year.

On Saturday we had a small party. It was so fun to have people gathered to celebrate Tyler with us. Our lives have been so enriched with joy by Tyler. At the party Bobby prayed for Tyler, that he would come to know the Lord. And that is my prayer every day. I am so thankful that the Lord has made him a part of our family but I will always hope that he will become a part of God’s family.

Click here for more pictures from the party.