Growing up Bjurstrom: Dinner Time Prayer

Happy Birthday Steve!

We love you, and you are an amazing man, husband, father, and friend!

If you are reading this blog, I just want to start with this; this blog is entirely so I will not forget a sweet moment with our baby boy that brought me so much joy and laughter today:

At dinner time, Steve and I always hold hands to pray before we eat. We usually hold Ethan's feet, as he is in between us in his high chair already eating. Tonight, Steve asked Ethan if he wanted to hold hands too. Ethan's face seemed to express him exercising his will and he chose, yes, I want to hold your hands and join in- as he reached out to grab each of our hands. So, there we were, the three of us holding hands, heads bowed and Steve began to pray. Ethan sat there holding our hands quietly, but looking really confused like, "what is going on," (the look he always gives us when we pray before dinner).

As Steve was praying, I was peeking at Ethan *). After a few moments, Ethan kept holding Steve's hand, let go of mine, grabbed a few oyster crackers from his high chair, put them in his mouth, and then grabbed my hand again; like nothing happened, like I didn't notice.

Meanwhile, I started to laugh, and needless to say, our saying grace before the meal was over.

The silly little boy was so sweet, innocent in that moment, and just funny!

I never want to forget this and the look on his face!

It's so awesome to see him want to be a part of our family and want to follow our example in things.

The example of praying as a family, not sneaking food in the middle of prayer! HA!

Also, I have a small NLT bible that Ethan really enjoys. He is always gentle with it, I actually give it to him to hold and carry around and we have never had any ripped pages or anything; yet. He says, "bible," which is what he calls every book right now.

He will open the bible and act like he is reading it outloud. He holds it up in front of his face, looks at the pages, and talks jibberish. This bible also distracts him for a longer time than most of his toys.

It's really cute to watch, and actually really blesses my heart a lot too.

Time always tells in a person's life, but right now, it's awesome to see Ethan's little heart so interested in and gentle with God's Word; wondering about this book that we hold so dear to our hearts.

I pray the Lord would keep stirring his heart through his Holy Spirit; that one day he would be a man after God's own heart, with genuine, sincere faith, and he would bear fruit unto salvation!

Ethan we love you so much!

Now, here are some pictures!