Well, it happened.

We pulled it off. A surprise birthday party for Jason’s mom (Happy Birthday Mom!).

She thought we had all forgot. No party, no grandkids, no handsome sons.

No presents, no cake.

Boy was she ever wrong – because this family? – knows how to party.

Surprise!

The best gift of all? HER. Being with us. Second best? We had already gotten together on the sly for her birthday present.

A gift of photographs. A gift of love (and photographs) for a woman who doesn’t just teach about love, but lives it, and passed it on to her family.

She showed us all the power of family when we met in those hospital waiting rooms praying with all our heart for her healing. She showed us the power of strength when she emerged from intensive care and knew her families faces and names after a brain aneurysm leak and a stroke on top of it. Then she showed us the power of miracles because she is still with us today. Walking, talking, and loving us all.

She tells the story of Jesus sitting with her during her dark days of a coma and encouraging her to go back and tell her family she loves them.

Never mind that we already knew that. Her story touches many, many hearts. Even the printers were moved by it.

I am intensely proud to be part of this family, it’s not just strength of it, but the compassion and care that drives it. And Sue? Is the best driver I know.

Happy Birthday to my sweet mother-in-law. We are SO glad you are here to celebrate.

Photo book with verses from 1 John Chapter Four.

She tells us to tell our kids we love them every day. The grandkids wanted her to know…………tell your grandma too.

Lots of love shared on this day.

Most of the grandkids are seeing their photographs for the first time.

Lots of birthday hugs for Grandma.

I love her joy (and her hair is sooo cute!).

She passed her love down through the generations. To a stunning group of children. I have no doubt these kids will continue to honor love with their future families just as she has.

What a special day and celebration of a beautiful woman inside and out.

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.