Dear Cody & Caleb...

Dear Cody & Caleb,

A few days ago your dad and I celebrated our 15th year of being married to each other. As we told you in prayer time that night, it hasn't always been days of cupcakes and lollipops... a few days have been licorice...really black, nasty licorice. But I can tell you this... that we love each other more today than we did on that Labor Day weekend back in 1995. Lots of people say that, but it's really true. Looking back now, we barely knew each other. But God has been so good to us...and even though we've both made some pretty big mistakes, He's used them for good and brought us closer together. He's the yen to my yang (even though we aren't Chinese), and I'm the creamer in his coffee (even though he doesn't drink coffee). There have been lots of good and fun, and goofy times...and those are tucked away in my love memory bank.

I am thankful for your dad. From day one, he stepped up to his role of provider and protector masterfully. He is a hard worker, diligent in gaining favor with his employer because of his ethics and honesty at work, has a good reputation, is a loyal friend, is a good son and son-in-law, and a good brother and brother-in-law. I think his shining accomplishment so far has been his role of daddy...and you boys are so blessed to have him as your father. I love how he protects and nurtures you, but also how he gently nudges you to spread your wings to try new things and soar to new heights. He is a great picture of the way your Heavenly father loves you.

Tonight I am praying for your future wives. I'm hopeful that it's SEVERAL years away, but I already have a sweet picture of both of them in my thoughts. I pray that God is already molding them to be the helpers that you both need, and that most of all they are falling in love with Jesus more every day. I am praying that you will continue to grow and become great men who look a little bit like your dad, and a whole lot like your Father.

I love you,

Mama

Happy 50th Anniversary

Today is my parents' 50th wedding anniversary...September 25, 1959. I don't know if you grasp the colossal feat that is these days...but that just doesn't happen much anymore. Thank you mom and dad for putting up with each other, for putting the other one ahead of yourself, for sacrificing for each other, for loving each other...and for commitment. Commitment even when you were unlovely...commitment even when it didn't seem worth it...commitment even when the odds were stacked against you.

A few things you might not know about my parents:

*Both of their dads had to go with them to get their marriage license because they were both underage...but NOT pregnant.

*Mom originally wanted 12 children. I thank you Daddy for putting your foot down on that one.

*Dad burned the end of my mom's nose with the push-in cigarette lighter while on a date.

*They went to the thriving resort at Turner Falls for their honeymoon.

*They have lived in 15 houses/apts. in their 50 years of marriage.

We celebrated their anniversary on a cruise a few weeks ago, and we will be celebrating again in a few weeks at a party. They are celebrating today by themselves in Galveston...enjoying each other's company just like they have for 50 years. They not only love each other, but they like each other...and that may just be the key.

Mom and Dad, I love you...and I thank you for giving me and my sisters a stable home life...and for never making us wonder if you'd be together forever. I'd really love it if you'd go another 50.

Happy Birthday Caleb

Dear Caleb,

Ten years ago today, you changed my life. I never thought I could love another baby as much as your brother, but the day I found out you were growing inside of me, I fell in love with you and discovered just how much my heart could expand and grow.

When Cody was a little over a year old, your daddy and I started talking about having another baby. I was so close to my sisters and daddy was close to his brother, and we wanted him to have someone like that...someone he could depend on, be friends with, and of course, look after us when we got old. We really had just begun discussing it over a few weeks, when I started feeling a little different. My pants were starting to get tighter, and it was getting harder for me to breathe while wearing them.

I considered getting a home pregnancy test, but decided I would just go to the doctor and get a blood test...to be positive of the results. On the morning of October 27, 1998, daddy drove me to my doctor, they drew blood and sent me on my way. It would be later in the day, possibly the next day, before they would have the results. Daddy took me to work and I started my work day...trying to concentrate on anything but that test.

A few hours later, I received a call from the doctor's office telling me I was definitely going to have a baby in about 7-1/2 months. I was SOOOO excited...and surprised!...I guess that it happened so fast this time. Your daddy came by my office to get me for lunch. When he opened the door to my office, our eyes met...I smiled and shook my head yes...and he got the biggest grin ever on his face. We hugged and kissed for what seemed like eternity...and we began our journey of loving you and taking care of you. You were expected to join our family in person on June 24, 1999.

Cody was about 18 months old at this point, and although we told him about you, he really didn't understand. He couldn't understand why I kept telling him stories about my belly button.

On November 12th, you made me sick for the first time and as I got up from hugging the toilet, I smiled. I was happy as a lark that I was throwing up. That continued for about the next 7 weeks, and although it was kind of rough...I still loved it...because it meant YOU were there!

On December 31st, I heard your heart beat for the first time...and I smiled.

On January 27th, I felt you move for the first time...and I smiled.

On February 2nd, I saw you for the first time on a sonogram...and your heart was beating...you were growing...and we decided not to find out if you were a boy or a girl until we met you on your birth day...and I smiled.

In the next few weeks, my belly starts growing at a rapid pace...and we discovered you would definitely be a soccer player!...and I smiled.

On April 23rd, too early for this, I started having small contractions and vomiting. My doctor sent me to the hospital to be checked out and found out I had a virus that was making me have contractions and was slightly dehydrated. They gave me medication and sent me home to bed rest for the weekend...and as much as this scared me, I smiled because you were going to be okay.

On May 13th, I stopped being able to wear most of my shoes. My feet and ankes were so swollen, and wouldn't go down even after rest...but I smiled because I knew it wouldn't be long until you were here...and I always preferred being barefoot...and pregnant.

That next weekend, we painted your nursery...and when I looked at Pooh and friends and imagined you there...I smiled.

On June 8th, my doctor sent me for another sonogram because he felt like you were getting big...and when he found out that you measured 8 pounds, 11 ounces in that sonogram, he scheduled me for surgery the next week...and I smiled a really big smile.

On the morning of June 15th, I got up, showered, got dressed, put my makeup on, did my hair, got my suitcase, kissed Cody goodbye as Ne-Ne took him to daycare with her...and we left for the hospital. We got to our room, got prepped for surgery, and got anxious for you to be here.

At 9:00 a.m., they took me and daddy into the operating room. They gave me some medicine to numb my stomach and Dr. Kallam began the process of taking you out. Daddy talked me through the whole thing...step by step of what was happening...and at 9:40, Dr. Kallam announced you were a big, strapping boy! He took you out and you were mad and crying...and I smiled and smiled.

I watched them get you cleaned up while they were taking care of some other things with me...and I listened to your precious cries. The nurse held you up to my face and let me kiss you and tell you how much I loved you...and I couldn't believe how big my heart was right then and there.

In the last 10 years, you've amazed me at how different from your brother you are...yet how alike you are. I love how you are tender-hearted and caring...and how thoughtful of others' feelings you are. You've got the sweetest smile and the most infectious laugh. I love that you still like to cuddle and hold my hand, and I love that you are brave and protective.

And as much as I would like to keep you wrapped up in my little cocoon forever, I know that God has something much bigger in store for you...and I wouldn't want you to miss that for the world. You see, as much as I love you...it can't even compare to the love He has for you. And I smile when I think about where that love will take you.


Love,

Mama

Caleb's Got Mad Smarts

Monday morning was the 4th Grade Awards Ceremony and Caleb got to show off his smarts. He received not only awards in Social Studies, Texas Readers Club, and Citizenship, but he received...

*Special Recognition for being in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. This means that his grades are in the top 5% of students for his grade level...and

*Principal's Award for Outstanding Character.

I'm so proud of him for overcoming his anxiety he faced earlier this year to excel in all of his classes, getting Commended Performance on his Math Taks and ONE point shy of Commended Performance on his Writing Taks.

He's a great student...


...a great helper in class...


...and a great friend.


Caleb, I'm so proud of your accomplishments this year. I pray you will always believe in your ability to do great things through God's help. You are going to be an awesome 5th grader!

I love you...to the moon & back.
Mama

P.S. If this post sounds like I'm bragging about my kid...I am.

The Big Day

This past weekend, we went to Southhaven, MS to celebrate the high school graduation of my twin nieces, Ashley & Hillary. I shall dispense with the customary "where did all the time go" and "wow, I really feel old now" comments and just say there are times when you feel like you're standing totally still and the world is moving all around you. That's how I felt this weekend. It doesn't seem possible...yet here it is. One of those times... when your mind plays images over and over again and as much as you'd like to slow down the alarming rate at which life moves, there is nothing within your power to do so.


Dear Hillary and Ashley,

What a beautiful weekend we shared with you in celebrating leaving one stage of your life and entering another. In times like these, the word "proud" gets thrown around alot, but take it to heart because you girls have a lot to be proud of, and I am so proud of both of you and the accomplishments you’ve made.

This is typically a hard time in the life of a young person. The world is at your door, yet there is so much fear of the unknown and of leaving the safety net of home and family. I want to encourage you both to face your fears head on…and do hard things. When you face challenges and choose to plough through, you become stronger and more brave…which leads you to take on even more adventures. This is the time…the time you really decide who you are going to be. Some can’t get past the high school years…they cling to those halls and memories, and never quite embrace the field before them.

It’s also the time when you decide who God is to you. He’s no longer just the one you say nighttime prayers to…but the one who longs to hold your hand and walk you through every decision, every question…every circumstance. He is always at work…and He wants you to join Him in His work. My prayer is that you will. I pray you will develop a Kingdom dream…one that will let you see the BIG picture and one that will not allow you to get swallowed up in the status quo. I pray you’ll work hard…and be responsible. I pray you’ll love with abandon…not only those you look like you…but those who don’t. I pray you’ll live a life of sacrifice and service…and not regret that one minute.

And when you make mistakes...and you will, know that there will always be love waiting in the wings for you. Be true to yourself…be true to your God. Hate the devil…and love God with equal resolve. And know that I, for one, am on your side…always. I love you.