Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Gavin's Gang

"Guess what I did this past weekend?!"



"I rounded up my gang, and we all headed to the Buddy Walk!"



"My gang was much smaller this year, because my Mom said the walk caught her by surprise, but I was happy to have all of these wonderful people to walk with me!"



"Our family looks forward to this day each year! It's a time to get together with lots of other cool kiddos, like me!"



"My brothers get to carry cool signs with pictures of me on it!"



"And, we get to walk with a great bunch of people, who all have something in common.....that they all have a special person in their life who has Down syndrome, just like me!"



"My brothers get to fight over who gets to push the guest of honor.....that's me!"



"I get to just smile and look cute, while I meet some really great people!"



"Here are a few of those great people. They did a dance that they learned in their dance group."



"It was so much fun to watch, and it was even more fun when they called us out to dance with them!"



"Here is me and my Grandma dancing! I loved it!.....Probably because I LOVE music so much! Plus, my Grandma is a great dancer!"



"I can't wait for next year's Buddy Walk! Thanks to everyone for coming out to support our family and other awesome people just like me!"



Here is the verse that we have on our team shirts:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Friday, September 24, 2010

Gavin's World

Since we spent most of Gavin's actual birthday waiting for his cousin to be born at the hospital, we had a mini celebration a few days later. Here are some pictures from his party.






Gavin's brothers made him homemade cards. They were so excited about Gavin turning 4 years old! So, as soon as I reminded them that his birthday was coming up, they went hard to work making the perfect cards for him!



I absolutely adore that my older boys put so much effort into celebrating Gavin! There are many people in our lives who seem to forget about Gavin's birthday. It's probably because they figure he can't do anything anyway and maybe they figure he doesn't know the difference either. This kind of makes me feel sad, but my boys definitely make up for it! They treat Gavin like they would treat anyone else and this makes me very happy!

You can see in the picture above what Nolan wrote on his card to Gavin. He wrote Gavin's name and then put words that describe Gavin, by using the letters of Gavin's name. For G, he put "great boy", for A, he put "adorable and awesome" and for I, he put "important." The "I" description really got to me, because I look at Gavin as being important, but I know that many people seem to look at Gavin as just being here and not as a person with a purpose. I was happy to see that Nolan sees the importance of Gavin, because in the broad picture, Gavin really has more to teach us than a lot of people that I know do!

Gavin may not be able to talk, walk or play a major roll in his own life, but his being here creates huge lessons for people to learn. He shows us that we are very blessed and that we shouldn't take things for granted. He shows us that you can be happy, even when life is difficult. He shows us love. He shows our boys the meaning of being caring, helpful and loving to others. And, he shows us that being dependent is actually a great thing! Gavin is very dependent on us, and this has made our family become less selfish and more giving of ourselves. And, it has shown us that we are dependent as well.....dependent on the help and goodness of others and, most importantly, dependent on God!

Outside of our home, Gavin might not be considered by others very often, but in our home he is a huge part of our world! We look at Gavin as an equal.....and sometimes we even look at him as being better than us! Gavin's world is full of love and happiness! So, when his birthday comes around, we really celebrate the gift of him!

We give him gifts that he may not be aware that he is even getting:



And, we make him cake and cupcakes, even though he isn't able to eat them:



And, we gather together and Thank God for the blessing of Gavin in our life for one more glorious year!




Because Gavin wasn't supposed to even live this long! And, we aren't guaranteed another year with him. And, because Gavin is a beautiful boy,





who has feelings and who makes us laugh,



and who gives us a sense of great purpose,



and a sense of PURE JOY!



It may have been Gavin's 4th birthday last week, but we are the ones that have been given a gift!


"Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!" Psalm 68:19

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Gavin spent his 4th Birthday at the hospital.....

.....and we were actually happy to be there!



Here is a clue to why:




Gavin was getting an extra special birthday gift!

He received a cousin on his birthday! And, I finally became an aunt!

My sister and her husband Mark, welcomed their first child a week early, which happened to be on Gavin's birthday! I personally count September 15 as a very special day, because this is the day that we were blessed with Gavin! And, now this day was made even more special....by the birth of Tate Doty Burton!



What a great birthday gift for Gavin! We were, and are, so happy and excited to have this new little person in our life to love!

Here is my mom loving on Mr. Tate, just a couple of hours after his birth:



And, here is the little Tater Tot, a few days later:



Isn't he a sweet, little honey?! I'm in love!



My beautiful sister and her bundle of blessing:



And, the two birthday boys together!



We used to think Gavin was so little, but now he looks huge!



I think Gavin is excited about this extra special birthday gift! I know that I am!

Welcome to the world Tate! And, congrats Amy and Mark! We are so happy for all of you! And, happy for us too.....we now have your little one to love!


"O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength..." Psalm 8:1-2a

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

BIG Day.....Make that a HUGE Day!

Today is an exciting day around here!

It's Gavin's Birthday!!!





Four years ago today, our family received a huge surprise and an enormous gift!



The gift of Gavin!



Today he and I are going on a little road trip to pick up one of his birthday gifts!

"HMMM....what could it be Momma?"



You'll find out soon Gavin! Here is a hint: You will have to share! But, you will be so happy to do so!

WE LOVE YOU GAVIN!!! HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY!! YOU ARE SUCH A PRECIOUS GIFT!


"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Monday, September 13, 2010

All of him...

I love creeping into Gavin's room each morning and seeing him peacefully sleeping in his crib. I love looking at him in the early morning light, as the sun peeks through the window shade.



I love seeing his precious profile.



His adorable, small ear.



His tiny, curled up hands.



His out-of-control, hard to manage and gorgeous hair.



His little feet, with the tiny toe that hides behind all the others.




His wide, almond shaped eyes and his cute little button nose.



His soft, upper arms and the plump creases in them.



I absolutely ADORE all of him!



God really blessed me, when He gave me Gavin!


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3-10