Dear Son...

Two years ago today you took your first breath. Daddy and I were not able to be there. God's perfect timing had not yet been achieved. One year ago today we knew who you were, but you had no idea who we were or that we loved you so much we ached inside. God's perfect timing had not yet been achieved. However, He saw fit to unite us forever on July 3, 2005 and we have hugged and kissed you every day since then.

Today, we will celebrate your birth and the start of your third year of life. How can you already be two, when we have only known you for nine months? Where have those nine months gone, anyway?

Ivan, you have helped us to get our priorities straight and to strive harder to live the life that God has set out for us. In short son, you have encouraged us to be the best that we can be. We want to thank you for all that you have brought to our lives since we met you. You have allowed us to be totally silly, carefree and open. Neither Mommy nor Daddy has ever been as uninhibited as we are with you. You allow us to sing at the top of our lungs and boogy down without ever feeling ridiculous or self-concious. Your presence here has changed everything and we LOVE the changes!

Thank you for all of the joy that you bring into our lives. We love you to the moon and back, always.

Mommy and Daddy

Keeping us on track...

Tonight we had dinner at my parents house. Our family does this almost every Monday night because my Mom and I are in a Bible Study that meets very near their house. I live about 30 minutes from my parents, so J and I meet at my parents, have dinner and then J, Ivan and Sherman drive home while I am in class. Then I drive home after class. Monday's are always hectic because I am either preparing the meal, or trying to help Mom prepare the meal and look after Ivan in a non-baby-proofed home. Plus, Mom and I are trying to get out the door by 6:35 so that we will be on time for the opening hymn. We cut it close every week.

Since we are always rushed on Monday nights, sometimes we cut corners. Tonight the corner that we (almost) cut was saying a blessing before we ate dinner. We were serving buffet style and we were running late, so everyone was just digging in as they sat down at the table. As I started to cut up some chicken for Ivan, I looked over at him and saw the most powerful sight. There he sat in his highchair with his hands folded and waiting for us to say the blessing. We all shamefully dropped our forks and bowed our heads. It took the twenty-three month old to remind us to give thanks for our meal.

The Lord blesses me through my son every single day.