1 Year!!

Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating our little Jubilee’s first Birthday/Anniversary….or what some might call her  ‘Angelversary.’ My husband and I decided we would like to have our close family and friends over for a gathering instead of spending the night on our own. And we are both so glad that we did. We had a lovely day...some bittersweet memories...but a good day in all :-) ...no tears....just joy in the fact we've made it through a crazy year with all the glory going to our Lord Jesus for His Grace and blessings :-)

 

 

We gave out some little invitations (top right hand corner) that read:

“ It seems like only yesterday, that our lives were blessed for eternity with the birth of our little daughter, Juby. Since her name means “to rejoice” and because it would have been her 1^st Birthday, we are having a small family celebration in loving memory."

My husband had to leave early the morning of her birthday so we didn’t get to talk too much to each other about how we were feeling on the actual day, except for a few texts back and forth during his lunch break. In hindsight, we both agree that was our little sad moment for the day. Jubilee was constantly in my thoughts all day- she is usually, but even more so that day- and at 12:40, when she was born, I couldn’t help but still be overcome with that same emotion I felt 12 months earlier. My heart just ached, think about how at that exact moment, all my dreams had come true- I was a mummy and the little bundle I was holding was ‘my’ little girl. Oh, how I longed to hold her again and to relive all those precious moments. Thank God, we have so many wonderful memories of the time we spent with her. I am so blessed that God has given me the strength to be joyful about this time in our lives and to share our story and our belief in a better tomorrow with many people.

In the photos, you can also see how I spent the day cooking (and taking my mind off Pea's impending arrival (lol!). It was a pink and white theme with butterflies and angel wings… we had white chocolate cake pops with angel wings on the tops, pink jelly, number 1 shaped biscuits, brownies, mini cupcakes, star-shaped fairy bread, and an even a little bowl of Jubes with a sign that read "little jubes for Jubes") So you can say, I probably went a bit crazy with dessert but the first year is a special occasion no matter what the circumstances and I'm sure this will be the last time poor Jubes gets to have my full attention, now she's going be a big sister and all, so it was so worth it. The cake was mission but I wanted it to be special- I did a mini pink gradient layered cake decroated with gradient icing. I was proud of how it turned out but especiall pleased with the cake topper- we didn’t get Juby a present or anything to commemorate the date in that way but I fell in love with it when I saw it and just knew we had to have it! I love how the baby is lying on a big pink butterfly and has her own set of little wings :-) We didn't sing “Happy Birthday” but our friend Toni (who you might remember, actually got to meet Juby) has a little girl (who is 1 year old, too) and we got her to help us blow out the candles; so that was special.

 

 

 

We didn’t get to visit the grave on the actual day but we went especially into town the next day and took some beautiful pink balloons (that Aunty Paula had bought us as a gift) and a little party hat (that I made for her) and a candle out to the grave. My husband had a little chat with her, like he always does when we go, and man! I couldn’t keep the tears in then!!! Then he turned and asked me what I wanted to say and I was just so taken with what he said that I couldn’t say anything much. “Come on!” he urged me and all I could whisper when I looked up at him with tears in my eyes was “She knows her mummy loves her…I tell her all the time.” Then we just hugged :-) Yesterday, was Valentine’s Day and I took some time to communicate to my husband just how blessed I am to have married him. He is the best person I could ever have hoped to be walking this journey with. This year, for Valentines Day, we had an ice-cream at the beach, he cooked breakfast and I cooked a candle-lit dinner. and we swapped cards.... In his card, I wrote- “You’re a loving Daddy to our little Jubilee and I can’t wait to see how that love manifests itself physically with our earthly children.” I just know he loves her so very dearly :-) Daddy/daughter bonds are so special even when they aren’t lived out in the usual fashion! Everytime I look at Adams feet, I'm reminded of Juby. I call them his 'Juby feet' and he proudly corrects me, saying "No, Juby has Daddy's feet." Hence the reason for this picture of his footprint in the sand, which I took when we went to Hervey Bay, just before Christmas.

 

Many thanks to all our family and friends for remembering our little family on the day and for passing on all your prayers and kind thoughts. Once again, I’m reminded how blessed we are to be surrounded by people like yourselves and that we couldn’t have made it to where we are today without all your love and support…words really don’t do it justice. Thank you.

And thank you to our Lord Jesus. We’ve learnt so much more about You and Your Love for us in the past year than we ever could have imagined before this change of events was set in motion. We are  so thankful that we are able to turn you to our darkest moments and that you have assured us of Your reassuring presence and Your peace, that passes all understanding. You took our sin for us by death on the cross and even knowing that suffering that was set before, embraced it with joy. We aren’t so perfect but have learnt much from Your example. Help us to be more and more like you, drawing closer to you, each and every day. As I said earlier, all the glory is Yours. Amen.

 

 

PS- One ‘last!’ Pea pregnancy post to come :-) soon!