I remember the time well. I was so excited about having a baby. Your Daddy and I had made so many preparations. All the clothes were washed, the room was ready, the car seat was all strapped in, the family was on standby, and all was ready. You even seemed to be ready. The doctor had told us that you were growing quickly and that he didn't think it would be a good idea to wait closer to our Sept 24th due date. I was induced on Sept 16th in the evening. We knew it would be a long night and that you wouldn't make your appearance until sometime on the 17th, but the waiting room was filled none the less. Everyone was excited.
We were right in thinking that you wouldn't make a speedy entrance, actually you didn't come until late evening on the 17th. You were beautiful, just perfect in every way. I changed in that moment. My life was shifting, and there was no way I could grasp the magnitude of it. Life would never be the same! From first meeting I saw a spark in you. We gave you the name Luke, which means bringer of light, and I have never though another name could have been more fitting for you.
The following days are a blur. Little sleep, lots of visitors, and much stress over breast feeding. I wanted so badly to be the perfect Mom and when nursing wasn't working out, I got my first dose of Mommy guilt. I remember laying in bed that night crying so hard because I had failed my baby boy. Little did I know that I would spend many many more night battling that same feeling.
The days turned to weeks and the weeks to months and before long you were smiling, laughing, and even beginning to talk. You were quite the early talker, making words, then sentences, and before long stories. I honestly have a hard time remembering my life without your voice in it. You would tell us of your pirate adventures, your encounter with the tooth fairy, and your spooky Halloween tales. You retained knowledge at an amazing capacity for a toddler. You could identify all the birds in a field guide we had, name all the nascar drivers, their numbers and owners. You knew all the pirates of the Caribbean and would set up "worlds" with all the figures that would represent some epic battles. Your imagination was out of this world. And just as quickly as those months came the years started piling up. You learned how to ready and write which opened up an entire new world to you. You had always sat while I read endless stacks of books to you, but now you were reading those stacks to me. You began writing your own books, which I now have a pretty impressive collection of. Super Luke and his amazing adventures.
You made friends and formed bonds with your family which you will always held dear to you. You have formed lasting relationships with your family, your church family, your school friends, and your neighbors. You have friends in the Philippines, Uganda, and Australia. That's pretty impressive for a 10 year old. Our family grew and you became a brother, a role that you fell into without difficulty.
Now I see you starting to grow into a young man. I must admit that it brings tears to my eyes, but at the same time excitement to my heart. I can't wait to see that things you do in your life. I have always felt that you would be a world changer, and I stand firmly by that. You have something special in you kiddo. Something that can do big things. I pray for you everyday and pray that you will use that special something to glorify God and spread his good word, and I think you will.
It amazes me what you have done in ten short years. I thought I would make a list of some of the most important things I think you have learned in the past decade then make a list of a few things I hope you can learn in the next 10 years. I love you baby boy and I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your Momma. I hope you this birthday and everyday to come is filled with love, happiness and health. I love you to the moon and back 8,935,713,246,534,299 times.
Most important things you have learned (in no particular order)
1. To talk. Your voice is your outlet to the world. You contribute so much with your words.
2. To walk. You are mobile. You are going places. You explore the world with a curiosity that amazes me sometimes
3. To pray. Everyone I know loves to hear you pray. You have always spoken to God with such sincerity. You not only ask God to provide your needs, you thank him daily for all he has done.
4. To read. Your love of reading gives you a window to the world. You can go anywhere you chose with books.
5. To share. Life requires it. You have learned to share everything from your toys to your opinions. Sharing is essential.
6. Your worth. You know just how important you are.
7. Your salvation. You know that Jesus died on a cross for you!
8. How to tie your shoe. It would really stink to always have to ask for help with that. Independence is important.
9. How to ride a bike. That's pretty much your main mode of transportation if your being self reliant at this point.
10. How to make a sandwich.
What I hope that you learn in the next 10 years
1. To drive
2. To do your own laundry
3. To prepare at least one really good meal.
4. To be kind to yourself and others. Let Gods love show through you.
5. To share the good news of Jesus Christ in any situation with confidence.
6. To find something that your passionate about and begin to peruse it. Life will be so much happier if you do this.
7. To try hard at everything you do. If your not trying you not really living. You don't always have to get the perfect grade or score the winning shot, but you will feel so much better knowing that you gave it your all either way.
8. To be yourself. No matter what. Your uniqueness is what makes your special. Its a strength. Embrace it.
9. To sometimes cut yourself a break. Don't beat yourself up about every mistake(that's one mommy really needs to work on).
10. To give yourself away. That's where you will find life.
11. To take responsibility for your actions no matter the cost.
12. To know that your Daddy and I love you soooo much, no matter if your 2 or 20. You are our first born. Our only son. Our special gift from God above. We will be here to support you no matter what!!!!
We were right in thinking that you wouldn't make a speedy entrance, actually you didn't come until late evening on the 17th. You were beautiful, just perfect in every way. I changed in that moment. My life was shifting, and there was no way I could grasp the magnitude of it. Life would never be the same! From first meeting I saw a spark in you. We gave you the name Luke, which means bringer of light, and I have never though another name could have been more fitting for you.
The following days are a blur. Little sleep, lots of visitors, and much stress over breast feeding. I wanted so badly to be the perfect Mom and when nursing wasn't working out, I got my first dose of Mommy guilt. I remember laying in bed that night crying so hard because I had failed my baby boy. Little did I know that I would spend many many more night battling that same feeling.
The days turned to weeks and the weeks to months and before long you were smiling, laughing, and even beginning to talk. You were quite the early talker, making words, then sentences, and before long stories. I honestly have a hard time remembering my life without your voice in it. You would tell us of your pirate adventures, your encounter with the tooth fairy, and your spooky Halloween tales. You retained knowledge at an amazing capacity for a toddler. You could identify all the birds in a field guide we had, name all the nascar drivers, their numbers and owners. You knew all the pirates of the Caribbean and would set up "worlds" with all the figures that would represent some epic battles. Your imagination was out of this world. And just as quickly as those months came the years started piling up. You learned how to ready and write which opened up an entire new world to you. You had always sat while I read endless stacks of books to you, but now you were reading those stacks to me. You began writing your own books, which I now have a pretty impressive collection of. Super Luke and his amazing adventures.
You made friends and formed bonds with your family which you will always held dear to you. You have formed lasting relationships with your family, your church family, your school friends, and your neighbors. You have friends in the Philippines, Uganda, and Australia. That's pretty impressive for a 10 year old. Our family grew and you became a brother, a role that you fell into without difficulty.
Now I see you starting to grow into a young man. I must admit that it brings tears to my eyes, but at the same time excitement to my heart. I can't wait to see that things you do in your life. I have always felt that you would be a world changer, and I stand firmly by that. You have something special in you kiddo. Something that can do big things. I pray for you everyday and pray that you will use that special something to glorify God and spread his good word, and I think you will.
It amazes me what you have done in ten short years. I thought I would make a list of some of the most important things I think you have learned in the past decade then make a list of a few things I hope you can learn in the next 10 years. I love you baby boy and I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be your Momma. I hope you this birthday and everyday to come is filled with love, happiness and health. I love you to the moon and back 8,935,713,246,534,299 times.
Most important things you have learned (in no particular order)
1. To talk. Your voice is your outlet to the world. You contribute so much with your words.
2. To walk. You are mobile. You are going places. You explore the world with a curiosity that amazes me sometimes
3. To pray. Everyone I know loves to hear you pray. You have always spoken to God with such sincerity. You not only ask God to provide your needs, you thank him daily for all he has done.
4. To read. Your love of reading gives you a window to the world. You can go anywhere you chose with books.
5. To share. Life requires it. You have learned to share everything from your toys to your opinions. Sharing is essential.
6. Your worth. You know just how important you are.
7. Your salvation. You know that Jesus died on a cross for you!
8. How to tie your shoe. It would really stink to always have to ask for help with that. Independence is important.
9. How to ride a bike. That's pretty much your main mode of transportation if your being self reliant at this point.
10. How to make a sandwich.
What I hope that you learn in the next 10 years
1. To drive
2. To do your own laundry
3. To prepare at least one really good meal.
4. To be kind to yourself and others. Let Gods love show through you.
5. To share the good news of Jesus Christ in any situation with confidence.
6. To find something that your passionate about and begin to peruse it. Life will be so much happier if you do this.
7. To try hard at everything you do. If your not trying you not really living. You don't always have to get the perfect grade or score the winning shot, but you will feel so much better knowing that you gave it your all either way.
8. To be yourself. No matter what. Your uniqueness is what makes your special. Its a strength. Embrace it.
9. To sometimes cut yourself a break. Don't beat yourself up about every mistake(that's one mommy really needs to work on).
10. To give yourself away. That's where you will find life.
11. To take responsibility for your actions no matter the cost.
12. To know that your Daddy and I love you soooo much, no matter if your 2 or 20. You are our first born. Our only son. Our special gift from God above. We will be here to support you no matter what!!!!
