2 scoops for Tulip

we had a party today...sort of

let me set the record straight by saying that Tulip is not actually 2....yet

she's still 1

for two and a half more weeks

and i'm totally not into rushing the growing up that seems to happen so quickly with these littles that i love

but, with her birthday falling on april 25th and my due date being may 4th

and the fact that both girls were born early...i knew i'd be taking my chances to plan a party for her during her birthday week

so, we decided to celebrate early

not ever imagining that april 14th would be TOO early

too early to count on spring

and good roads

and sunshine :(

after staying up way late getting everything ready, we woke up to phone calls and texts from the family this morning, saying that they wouldn't be making the drive due to freezing rain, wind and terrible roads

bummer.

life in minne-snow-ta

i'm all for winter, but this is getting a little crazy, even for me

 so, what's a girl to do with decorations, food, lemonade, ice cream toppings, presents and no guests?

celebrate, i guess.

open presents in jammies.

eat suckers for breakfast.

and invite over some friends that are just like family.

as with any good party, there was kissing...

and hugs for the birthday girl...

 candles and singing

the guys even got to watch the Masters

she was pleased as punch

at first, i was bummed that all my work was for nothing

but then i decided that we never really know how God is using our efforts.

and it wasn't about the guests...it was about her

the little one who has been my baby for the past 2 years
the one that is so very different from what i expected and infinitely more than i deserve

the wild, snuggly child who is worth every last minute i put into her special day

for whatever reason, i thought about an apple tree today.

i guess i've got autumn on the brain - weird

maybe we're going to bypass summer altogether and head right to fall???

anyway, there's a huge apple tree right over by the school where i work

and every fall as i go back to work, that tree sags heavy with apples that no one eats.

and i'm always struck by that - 

how i wish that someone would use them!

make applesauce

make apple juice

eat one for goodness sakes!

but today i was thinking that the apple tree isn't responsible for what happens to the fruit.

it's job is just to be fruitful

to make lots and lots of delicious fruit and not worry about how it is used.

God can use it to feed people, fertilize the ground, feed birds and other animals or just to make that block smell sticky sweet all fall long.

today was kind of like that

a day when i got to love a little person

and waste all my time and energy on her

and have no concern about who knows or appreciates it

even though it is dreary and cold and awful outside

even though the guests couldn't come

even though she's probably too young to really understand the decorations or the time or the effort

because i'll never know how God uses that fruit

my job is just to love

in big heaps

and let it be used in ways that i can see and ways that i'll never know

just because i can

so, spring tulip....

i wish the sun had been shining today

and that the beautiful tulips in the front yard that make me think of you were peeking through

but, amidst the snow and rain and cold, cold, cold

i'm so happy that you're mine

happy day to you

in big, huge wasteful heaps

i pour my adoration out

and pray that God will let it settle into your heart

and root you in His goodness forever