13thirteen13thirteen13thirteen13thirteen13

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??
No, really. It can't be. I think I am in complete denial. Josh turns 13 today. We have a teenager. I keep catching myself reminiscing about the day he was born and I have to stop myself so I don't get too emotional. I remember the morning we took him home like it was yesterday. A beautiful, sunny, Sunday morning. Our (awesome) white Taurus. A blue car seat that was much too big. Two new, wide-eyed parents who couldn't begin to imagine what they were in for. As we drove home to our little apartment, we listened to the Jonathan Cain song, "Little River." It goes, "run little river the world waits for you..." I remember laying him in his crib for the first time and Chad and I just turned and looked at each other as if to say, "now what?"

Well...now what?

Now, I take a deep breath. I try to live in the now and not think about how fast tomorrow will come and go. I am trying to ignore the fact that he will be gone before I know it. It's just going too fast.

Josh really is such a amazing young man. He is smart, well spoken, well behaved and an awesome budding guitarist. Nearly perfect except the keeping the room clean part. ;) I have marveled at his ability to teach and talk. When he's been asked to speak at church, teach FHE or a church lesson, he does it with such ease and confidence. I haven't seen many kids that age talk with such maturity, I know I certainly didn't. My one birthday wish for him today is that he will continue on that path. That he will keep his focus and allow his faith to grow and strengthen.
Josh, we are so proud of you. We are so blessed to have you in our family. You are special. We love you.