Celebrating Maverick's 1st birthday

I don't think I realized how hard this would be.  I'm always behind on the blog, so that isn't the problem. :)  But working through these posts at the end of May and into June - I'm having to work through the time period when we lost Mama.  So there are 'lasts' and 'firsts' and things that hurt.  This post holds the last photo I ever took of my dear and precious Mama.  For taking so many photos, I am so disappointed that I didn't take another of her for a whole week before she died.  But, on the flip side, I am thankful that I have always felt compelled to document our family life - it has provided a beautiful way to remember so many good things.  And this was, indeed, a very good day.  We gathered to celebrate Maverick's first birthday (a few days early).  Oh, how thankful I am that we did.  Mama died exactly one week later...

May 22, 2021

We had such a wonderful time celebrating sweet Maverick.  He opened his gifts before the cake.  He enjoyed unwrapping his presents.  

This was his look when Marvin was bringing down his gift...  :) 

We got him a rocking horse like the boys used to have.  Jackson and Jonathan loved that horse for years and years and we thought it would be a good gift for Maverick.  He was a little unsure, but I think it grew on him.  He did spend some time with it and we joked that he was 'training' it.  

Maverick doing a little ground work with the horse...

:)

This was when Daddy was explaining about one particular card that Brianna was opening... it seems that Maverick 'told' Grandpa Jack that he thought his parents should enjoy a night out together at a restaurant so there was money in the card 'from Maverick' so they could do just that.  :) 

Still doing ground work.  :D 

Maverick was so cute when they brought his cake out with a candle lit and were singing Happy Birthday to him.  He wasn't sure what was up, but he sure enjoyed it!  :)  Such a sweet, smiley guy. 

Then he got his own piece of cake and we all just watched him eat it.  He loved it!  He ate every bite!  I think his first birthday cake was a success!  He did require a bath afterward... ha!   

I think the sugar is hitting the system!!

Definitely need some milk with the cake!

Now he is a bathed boy - clean and ready to work with that horse again... but wait...

"Whoops!  What happened Dad?  I'm facing the wrong direction!"  :) 

I'm so thankful for this photo right here...

Maverick was serenading us on the piano...

He would stop and allow us time to applaud.  :) 

Riding a horse can be difficult!  :)  (Jackson still likes this toy!!)

GranGran riding the horse - that got Maverick's attention!!  :D 

That's MY horse, GranGran!  :D 

Time for 'Hop on Pop' - who happened to have a very full stomach.  :D

Maverick checking out Grandma Laura's fan - he knows this is important to me.  :D 

Precious moments with people I love so much...

and this is the last photo I ever took with Mama in it.  

Packing up and heading for home... it was a very good day. 

Here is a link to an entire album of photos from this day...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157719484718604

And here is a video with snippets from the day...

And following that video, 2 more videos from his actual birthday and the day of his party at our house (that we missed - we were at the hospital with Mama - the day she died)  :(  I am just now adding that video to this post (in 2025 as an update).  It was too painful before, but it is important to remember and draw joy from the celebration.