Happy Birthday Gabe!

Today was Gabe's 9th birthday! What a full, fun, wonderful day it was. We try and squeeze as much fun and enjoyment out of our special days as we can and today we squeezed a lot!

Brian was able to have part of the day off, which is always a treat for us. The day was gorgeous, clear blue skies, warm temperatures and a pleasant breeze.

As soon as Brian got home, we let Gabe open a few of his gifts. He always is so appreciative of what he gets and this year we were able to surprise with a few special goodies.

After lunch and a fun swim in the pool (Yes, we finally have our new liner in! I'll post about that later.), we sang happy birthday, ate scrumptious ice cream cake and let him open the rest of his gifts.

We spend more on the kids for their birthdays than we do for Christmas. We decided, as a family, several years ago, to scale back at Christmas time, moving our focus from all the gift giving to the birth of Jesus. This has worked out for very special times at Christmas and special birthdays for each child.

Gabe's big gift this year was a Nintendo DS. He had no idea this was coming. He had not mentioned getting one or even asked for one. I knew he would love it and we really surprised him with this gift. He was actually beside himself, he was so excited. He didn't know what to say. He knows how expensive they are and did not expect it at all. I love it when we hit on something that is so special to one of the kids.

Everyone was oohing and aahing over the new toy. Gabe loves electronics of any type and he took right off setting it up and starting to play.

Bessie helped him put together his new Nerf gun. We love Nerf.

On each child's birthday, they get to choose their desert and what to have for our dinner meal. Gabe wanted ice cream cake, pizza and wings. We opted for take out. We picked up our food and headed to one of our favorite local spots, one of the canal locks on the Champlain Canal. Each canal lock has a picnic area with grills and picnic tables. Being a Tuesday, we had the place to ourselves except for the Lock Master.

Brian and the kids brought their fishing gear, I brought my binocs and camp chair! I actually love to fish, but do not like "little kid fishing" (Isn't that terrible of me!?). Brian, on the other hand, has the patience of Job for these types of things and does so well working with the kids. I sit back and watch and save myself the frustration. I was quite surprised how well they all did. Bessie and Gabe are pros, having been fishing many times, so they did great. Rachel picked up casting quickly, but didn't really seem to enjoy it all that much. Hannah is going to be a natural. She was quite willing to sit quietly and watch that bobber, with never a complaint. Dan, well, I guess we just need to give Dan a few more years. Dan is not into sitting or being quiet or being still for anything and before long he was splashing in the river with his pole and throwing rocks.

Brian hooked a fish and let the birthday boy reel it in...a small bass. Just another treasure in this great day for Gabe. This is a catch and release area, so after pictures, this little guy was let go.

Isn't this a lovely spot? We finally headed home about 8:00pm.


After the Littles went to bed, Brian, Bessie, Gabe and I watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Gabe went to bed at 11:30 (late even for him), tired by so happy. He wanted one more hug and me to tell him "happy birthday" one more time. I think he was reluctant to let his special day go.

I found myself, on several occasions today, looking at Gabe and thinking of his birth parents, especially his birth mother. What a sacrifice she made and what a gift that sacrifice was to us.

Gabe is such a special little boy and we adore him. He and I are especially close. We enjoy so many of the same things. I like his sense of humor, his terrific imagination and his love of nature and science. I love talking with him.

All these things make me wonder what type of personalities his birth family has. How much of what makes Gabe "Gabe" came in his genes and how much is a product of his life here with us. I know some people want to think it is all nature or all nurture, but I'm sure it is a combination of both.

Either way, doesn't matter to me. We have never been the type of adoptive parents that want our kids to look like us so we can pretend that they aren't adopted. We am very aware that our children had lives before they came to our family and that is okay. All the elements of their lives make up who they are.

However Gabe came by his uniqueness, I love it and love him so very much. We are so happy that his birth mom chose to have him and that God chose to give him to us.

Happy Birthday, Gabe!