Sunday Snapshots: Savoring the Moments

Sa·vor v: To appreciate fully; enjoy or relish

Yesterday, we celebrated Kati's birthday...again.  Her eighteenth (!) birthday was earlier in the week.  She invited some friends over for games and birthday cheesecake on Tuesday.  On her actual birthday, we girls treated ourselves to a day of shopping and pumpkin spice frappuccinos, and then we all went to Kati's favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner.  But Sunday afternoons are usually the time for family gatherings, and so we gathered to rejoice and mark Kati's passage into adulthood.  Oh my...can I really be the mother of three adult children?

The answer to that question, of course, is Yes, I most certainly am.  And although it sometimes seems as if all of my children were babies such a short time ago, I have learned that time does indeed fly by, and lifetimes pass lightning-quick in hindsight, and James was spot-on about it being a vapor, and that the only way to approach the whirlwind of days is to offer them to the Lord and to savor the moments.   

Savoring moments like these...

Kati with 18 candles on her cake

Overheard from the children:

"Wow!  Will that many candles fit on the cake?!"

As the candles were lit, "It's really getting bright!"

Sweet voices singing to Kati

Enjoying the gifts right along with her
In this picture, they are oohing and aahing over a "cake plunger."

I guess they could all imagine the cream-filled cupcakes that Kati will make using this handy tool.

(Leave it to Gammy to find such a clever thing!  She is the best gift-finder.)

Kati with Gammy

Both all dolled up and looking beautiful in their purple!

(Gampy was working, but we sent him a piece of pumpkin birthday cake.)

Kati with MomMom

Last year, MomMom and PopPop came together.

We keenly felt his absence.

And these moments...

Baby (baby?) Alaine
the center of attention at the adult table

as she ate her birthday tacos while standing in her chair...

...my son-in-law (a wonderful father!) helping Ben with a puzzle...

...and lingering at the table

for grandmother-granddaughter time

We savored the moments as we went around the room, each telling something that we liked about Kati.  She gives me piggy-back rides.  I like her hair.  She has a gentle spirit.  (This is a new tradition for us, borrowed from Kristin's family.) 

When Ron took his mother home after the party, she gave him a bagful of treasures that had belonged to his father—a pocket knife, some French and German coins he brought home from his stint oversees as a World War II soldier, an award watch with his name engraved,  a monogrammed handkerchief.  Last night found Ron savoring these tangible mementos and reminiscing. 

Savoring  the moments...and being thankful to our Father for all of His blessings.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 
(Psalm 90:12)