Birthday Lily

Today Lily Jean Anderson is turning one year old. In 2007, Tera had been wanting a baby and even put it on her Christmas list. On New Years Eve 2007 Shachah was playing at Calvary Chapel Redlands and Tera and I sat on a couch backstage. I turned to her and whispered "Did you get your Christmas present?" She smiled knowingly and put her finger to her lips "Steve's going to announce it soon." So we waited patiently, smiling periodically to each other until Steve shared with the group that the Andersons were going to become a family of three.

In August of 2008, Shachah had just returned from a LONG summer tour and they were playing at Calvary Chapel Redlands. The place where we all learned that Lily would be joining our mis-mashed family. I had the pleasure of leading the group in praying for Steve, Tera, the baby and doctors as Steve left that night. Tera was having some contractions and we knew the baby was coming soon.

On August 22, 2008 (3 days after Tera's birthday) Lily Jean Anderson left the womb and rocked her parents world. They are as doting of parents as they should be and it is joy to watch how Steve is absolutely head over heels in love with her. They are throwing a pool party today and we were hoping to be able to be there and watch her in the water. Unfortunately, Earl caught a bug and got sick overnight and rather than infect a party full of kids, we are going to sit this one out.

So instead, please accept my very Happy Birthdays to you, little Lily. See you tomorrow!!

This picture was on Easter Sunday 2008 - Tera was about 4 months along.

Lily and Mommy in their first few moments together.

Ali and I drove down to visit with them when Lily was around a month old. The guys had left on tour and we got to spend a weekend with the two of them.

Lily on Easter Sunday 2009.

Lily making a funny face with Daddy.