A Birthday Blessing

This past weekend, we not only celebrated Thanksgiving, but we also took some time with our family to celebrate Noah's birthday a week early. It was a little different than your normal birthday party; it was birthday blessing. Rather than Noah opening a number of gifts, we asked that everyone bring a special poem, prayer, story, song, memory, or blessing to share with Noah on this special day. We felt that these gifts were more meaningful, as they were all from the heart and Noah can read them at any point in his life. Jen and I also played a rather interesting rendition of Hey Jude for Noah on the keyboard and African drum. There was some laughter and a few (happy) tears, but everyone had a great time visiting while Noah crawled from person to person and lap to lap taking in all the blessings and loving thoughts coming his way.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and share their blessings with Noah. For those of you who were not able to attend, we wish you could have joined us. Also, if you would like to share your blessing with Noah for his birthday, please feel free to send us an email or leave a comment. We will then print it off and include it with the others. Below, you'll find some pictures taken on this special day along with some of the traditions we're hoping to carry forward to future birthdays.


One of the traditions it that of the birthday crown. Noah's birthday crown was handmade by Jen out of wool felt, and embroidered with his initial. It's a little something for Noah to wear on each of his birthdays so that he knows that it's his special day. On the table, we also shared a picture of when we first met Noah almost a year ago--in the tub, with him screaming at the top of his newborn lungs.

Jen and her mom made two versions of carrot cake for everyone to enjoy after the blessings were shared. The cakes were extremely tasty, and Noah was able to eat his very first birthday cake! One of the blessings shared was from Sydnie; she made a homemade card wishing Noah a happy 1st birthday.

The Birthday Ring is a German birthday tradition. It is a symbolic way to celebrate the anniversary of a child's birth and show reverence for each year of their life thus far. A Birthday Ring consists of a wooden circle with holes representing each year of life.

Traditionally, on your child's first birthday, you place one candle on the ring and fill the rest of the holes with figures. On each consecutive birthday, you replace one figure with a candle. The unused figures will then be placed in the center of the ring to signify the child's previous years. Finally, on the twelfth year, the ring will be fully illuminated. For Noah's Birthday Ring, Jen brought out her creative side once again and actually made each of the 11 figures shown below. Each was cut out using a scrollsaw and then individually shaped, sanded and painted. She chose a woodland theme, and the figures, going clockwise from the candle, are as follows: rabbit, brown bear, spruce tree, gray squirrel, owl, mallard duck, green frog, fawn, oak tree, robin, and a red fox.

It was quite the special day. Hopefully, it was a day that everyone was able to take something away from. Days like that really make you feel thankful for what you have.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

-Curtis