Monday, October 12, 2009

Cameron's Birthday, The Beginning of a Family

Cameron Skyler is 9 years old now. I suppose that officially makes me an adult! It took 9 years for that reality to set in! I'm the one making the judgment calls and calling the shots. Wow. Possibly this reality has been difficult for me to grasp because I was a young mother, pregnant at 17 and a wife and mom at 18. I had to instantly grow up even if I didn't feel like a "grown up".

I wanted to share a post I actually wrote several years ago when he turned six:

Our oldest son turned six years old 2 days ago. On the eve of his birthday I thought back through the brief six years and am amazed at what has transpired. The terrifying, complex fear of being young and pregnant...to the rapid changes that pregnancy brings...followed by a memorable labor (the sort of labor where you wouldn't change a thing!)... and of course the indescribable joy that every new mom must feel of holding her baby for the first time, his warm little finger wrapped around mine.
I remember with amusement the three of us making a home in our cozy 5th wheel for my baby's first few months of life... Always happy and in love in spite of our beat up car and cramped living quarters. Selling the 5th wheel brought a surprising sadness as it drove down the road with our memories.
The day we bought our very own first home when we were 18 years old is forever highlighted in bright yellow as one of the most exciting times of my life! Even a few years later, living in different brand new, fancy homes, my first little home was the most thrilling to set my baby's nursery up in, to cook our first dinner in, and to watch Cameron crawl across the new carpet after we worked so hard to remodel the old place! Cameron enjoyed three birthdays there before our life took another turn as we reached for yet another dream of ours: COLORADO! We've had the joy of watching Cameron and his brothers adopt this land as theirs, building memories in the mountains.
Every birthday is a milestone, a reflection of dreams gained and some lost along the way. Cameron's age marks our family history, from the moment he was conceived life changed course and it continues to wind along in new directions. We celebrate success and we bear disappointments. But especially right now, we celebrate our oldest, the one we're so proud of: Cameron Skyler. Happy Birthday to my baby.


How true this post is even 3 years later.

He is our blessing and a constant source of peace to me and Chris.



27 comments:

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

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http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com

Diann said...

It warms my heart to read this post. Congratulations on such a lovely occasion and such a lovely family.

Jamie said...

You are such a beautiful writer! I enjoyed reading that so much! And Happy Birthday to such a handsome little man!

Jules said...

he's so cute! Happy birthday (=
Love the pictures.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Happy Birthday. I think there will always be something near and dear about the first one!

laterg8r said...

what a heartfelt letter and what a cutie :D

love the names of your boys BTW :D

laterg8r said...

ps - took a scroll back through your blog and you throw one mean party - very cool decorations :D

i now follow you :D

Becca said...

Wow Lisa! It was only a few years later that I got married and became pregnant. I remember thinking we were so mature, but looking at your old pictures and also at mine I can't help but think that we looked like babies. Loved your post. :)

Michelle said...

What a handsome young man you have! Happy birthday to him.

Being a mom of a tween is definitely challenging in a very different way than being a mom to baby. Definitely uncharted waters ahead for me in this land approaching the teen years.

Kelly said...

Aw, happy birthday to your big kid. You're doing a wonderful job, mom!

caveman said...

I love you Lisa. Thank you for being the mother of my sons. Can you believe Skyler is 9? He's such an amazing person. God must really have something special for him :)

Happy Birthday Skyler!!

Roeshel said...

Aw. They grow up so fast! That was such a touching post. I wish my girls were little again. Happy birthday handsome young guy! ;)

Roeshel

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

This post made me cry! Just lovely! It's so sweet to reflect on motherhood and watching our little ones grow up before our very eyes.

Happy Birthday, Skyler!

b. said...

Beautiful post! Happy Birthday Skyler!!! He's almost in the double digits.. lol. I love that second picture with you and him. Its sooo cute!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

What an adorably sweet post. What a lucky fellow to have such a loving mama!

Jane said...

Happy Birthday, Skyler! Nine is a milestone. And to you, Lisa...
Your post is so very dear. Skyler is very fortunate to have a mother (and a father) who loves him so completely, without reservations. Thank you for sharing your treasured photos...and a little of your heart with the rest of us.
May God continue to bless your family.
Jane (artfully graced)

Lynn said...

Sweet, sweet post. Your son is such a doll. Don't you wonder sometimes where the years go? They seem to speed by.

Anonymous said...

I can still remember when we heard your amazing news! I told Aaron that you were getting married and wanted him to be in your wedding. "wow I didn't know Lisa was a grown up?". I remember thinking...she is now. You have done such an amazing job with the precious gems the Lord has given you. Good job mom! Love ya
Chrissy

Miller Racing Family said...

What a wonderful post. I loved all the photos. I loved the photo of him in his cool shades.
I hope Skyler had a great birthday!

Jen said...

What sweet pictures of you as a young mother. He's adorable! Last year we lived in a DUMP, but it was our first year together and so I felt a little melancholy as we drove away. I got over it really fast once we moved into a nicer place:)

Leanne said...

Thanks for visiting. Cute boys and cute family. Happy Birthday to Cameron Skyler!

Nancy said...

You look so gorgeous in those pics! Styler is such a cute boy! I hope he has a happy birthday!

Sandy said...

This is a very beautiful, touching post and blog. It reminds me of my family, and of my son's family. Children's birthdays are very special. Thank you for visiting my blog!

Dorey said...

You are such a great writer! I think I remember reading this on your myspace page (back in the day) ha. =)

The Tuscan Home said...

Lovely post...brought tears to my eyes and got me reminiscing about our first home and bringing the kids home from the hospital. You are a wonderful writer. Thanks for sharing. Love the old photos, adorable! ~Liz

Angela said...

What a beautiful boy! He looks just like his mommy. I'm loving your blog.

Angel said...

I was also married and pregnant at 17, a mommy on my 18th birthday <3