celebrations

celebrations are definitely a must for our family. we just celebrated Jeriah's 1st birthday... seems like we have had him forever, though i know he is still so little. i can't imagine life without him.

Some traditions we started for birthdays:

1. Prayer Time: This is a time we set aside (sometimes before the party begins/sometimes during) where we pray over the birthday child and we invite others to join us and lay hands on him if they want. I write down what is being prayed in a book so we can watch God answer these prayers over our little ones.

This year we did it all together at Jeriah's party. We also dedicated ourselves to teach him about God in front of our family and friends. It was so neat to hear all the prayers over Jeriah. It was a very special time hearing family members pray over him.

2. Theme verse: I just started this one. God gave me the verse below and I think it is so fitting for Jeriah since his name means "God notices or God sees".

How precious are your thoughts about me,O God.They cannot be numbered!I can’t even count them;they outnumber the grains of sand! Psalm 139:17-18

I made these cards up with a little decoupage, some sand, and a printer. Note: If you are mailing it coat it once more with decoupage on top and let dry again...so the sand won't all come off in the envelope... sorry grandma! :)

We filled this tub full of sand and hid the kids party favors in it. They loved digging through it and it was a profound reminder that God's thoughts for us are even greater than the millions of grains in that little tub. (p.s. i got the tub at walmart for a few dollars after Christmas one year and just decoupaged some pretty wrapping paper over the funny looking snowmen)

We even held down the balloons with little bags of sand.

Any fun birthday traditions you have started? Let me know your ideas and how your family celebrates!