Happy Belated Birthday Pelaiah
Celebrating Pelaiah's 10th birthday in Florida
I had planned on possibly writing my memories of Pelaiah's birth in this post, but I'm going to save that for later. Her birth involved my dear, late mother, Anicia, who died of breast cancer almost a year ago, and writing about my mother is a bit difficult for me right now.
The children always beg to wake up early to decorate before the birthday celebrant comes outside for breakfast in order to surprise their sibling
We celebrated Pelaiah's birth at the end of March, but, since we were in the middle of a big move from Northwest Florida to East Tennessee, I didn't get to finish what I started writing for her birthday until just now! We still had a great time celebrating her birthday all week long during her birthday week — one thing that our family likes to do for birthdays.
Pelaiah, we love you, sweet girl! It is such a treasure to see how much you enjoy blessing others — especially your family — with your thoughtfulness.
April 2013 - Abraham (5) takes this photo of Heistheway (9) and Pelaiah (8) ask to make homemade tortillas by milling our grain with the grainmaker mill, rolling them out by hand, and cooking them in Lodge cast iron skillets
2014 in Bentonville, Arkansas - the girls help me shop for fruit, cheese, and snacks for platters for Ben & Jessa's bridal wedding rooms
You work with others with compassion and are a great listener. It's so sweet to see you interact so lovingly too with babies — especially your sister, Shiloh.
May 2014 - Pelaiah takes Shiloh to look at the flowers and vegetables from our organic garden
October 2014 - sisters playing together at the hotel as we get ready for another day's journey to make it to another wedding.
We have been blessed to hear you play the piano and violin so beautifully! Not only do we enjoy hearing you play classical pieces with dynamics and feeling, but we also love hearing you play hymns as we sing in our hearts to God.
You have a tender but strong spirit displaying great maturity. If you ever get laughed at for childish reasons, you respond with grace and wisdom. The words you also choose show amazing character beyond your age.
January 2009 - 3-year-old Pelaiah enjoys our family time at a playground in Florida
Though you are our second born, you have great leadership qualities. Keep being sensitive to the things the Lord teaches you daily during your personal Bible time. You will continue to be greatly rewarded!
March 2011 - We surprise Pelaiah with high tea and a family meal at Hyatt Regency Guam's lounge and then Famous Executive chef Josef Budde wanted to surprise her with a cake, strawberries, chocolate, and an illusion show for the children. I was also pregnant with Daniel. :-)
I treasure every single birth of our children and learn so much from each one. With Pelaiah's birth, I learned how quick and easy birth could be. I learned the power of loving touch that took away a lot of pressure, stress, and discomfort during my labor. My mother's touches helped me to be able to breathe better and relax — releasing beneficial endorphins that made my less-intense contractions feel like a helpful massage. I also learned that my body labors best for the more-intense, “big wave” contractions when I sit up.
Most importantly, I learned that God is faithful even during labor. Even if the circumstances were not what I could consider ideal, God used the seemingly unpleasant circumstances to show His greatness and faithfulness and give Tim, my family, and me “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph 3:20).
Pelaiah, may you continue to grow and blossom doing wonderful things for the Lord. We love you!