Friday's 10

It was another birthday week at our house. Our boys are two years and roughly two weeks apart in age. This week, it was younger brother's turn to be in the spotlight He turned 8. I am so thankful for his refreshing spirit in our family! Here are some of my favorite memories of you, Buddy.

Ten Amazing Memories of My Youngest Son

• Your birth. I thought it was going to take awhile, but it went amazingly fast--and just like your brother, I knew what the doctor was going to tell us you were in the instant before he opened his mouth. And we didn't "peek," either.


• You sleeping through the night from the moment you were born.


• Driving three hours when you were two days old for you to meet one of the most amazing women in the world--my grandmother--who was in the last stages of cancer. As she held you on her knees, you were so wide awake and focused on her face. I will never forget my mental "snapshot" of the two of you meeting each other. You were a great baby a week later when you and I returned for her funeral.


• Your full head of hair that necessitated a first haircut at two months!


• Your Memmet, a blue security blanket that you had, and took everywhere. By the time it was retired, it was more of a "battleship grey" color.


• You have always had amazing ability to take care of your own sleep needs. When you were just a baby, I would find you curled up somewhere with your Memmet, sucking your fingers, and sleeping. One time you rolled right up next to the front door and fell asleep. When you graduated to a "big boy" bed, I would look for you and find you curled up on it, taking a nap.


• When you were about 4, and all of you guys got homemade pillowcases from my Aunt. Your brother had these Amazon rain forest-type frogs on his. And you told him, "Your frogs are freakin' me out."


• Your photographic memory. I would do school with an older sibling and you would be playing near us, seeming not to pay attention. I would ask the child questions, and you would pipe up with the answer. Even at 3 and 4.


• Getting ready for the AWANA awards ceremony your first year of Cubbies. I was putting on my makeup, and Dad was taking a shower. You came in the bathroom and started asking some very grown-up questions about God. You prayed, asking God to forgive your sins and help you live for Him, sitting in a steamy bathroom with your dad wrapped in a bath towel. (When the Spirit moves...)


• Your response to me after you were baptized, when I asked if you were okay. "That was GREAT!!! " you said. "I want to do it again!!!"

Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our family!!