Officially, A Man...

Today is my son's 21st birthday. Seems like yesterday he was born. I would like to say that today he is a man, but it would be a lie. He's been a man for quite some time, and I have just failed to acknowledge it...probably because I hate admitting that my baby boy is grown and doesn't need me any more. But that's not true...they never grow past the need for their parents' love, do they? And I will always be able to give that, no matter what the future may bring.

Happy Birthday, my strong, capable, handsome son! I love you more than you will ever know, and today, on this milestone celebration of your birth, I honor you for all you have accomplished and overcome. All the obstacles that have been thrown repeatedly in your way over the years have become stepping stones to greater things, and I am so proud of the way you have learned how to handle yourself. Your resilience and strength shine out of you as a testament to all who come in contact with you of the fact that you have arrived at a new phase of your life, ready and able to meet it head-on.

In just a few short months, you will be holding your first-born in your arms, much as I held you 21 years ago today, and the enormity of that event will flow over you as you look down in that trusting face and realize that you hold the keys of potential for so much of what she will become, and that your job will be to shape and mold her into the beautiful confident, independent woman she will be. No father could be better equipped to prepare her for hardships and disappointments, for no father has ever had more of an uphill climb than you, my son. And no father could ever be more prepared to bestow so much time and love on his child, for no father has ever fully understood the impact of a strong father figure on a child's life more than you do. You've learned that the hard way, too, my son.

You're past the hard part, now....look full into the face of the rising sun, and feel its warmth and brightness welcoming you into a new day.

Be well, and truly blessed, my beautiful, wonderful son. May the deepest and most heartfelt of Birthday wishes be to you today, and may you always know that you are loved beyond all reason.

Playing Catch-up...

Wow...so much has happened since the last time I blogged, it's incredible! I guess it serves me right for letting everything pile up for so many days without writing. I can't be too hard on myself though, it's not like there's been a lot of time to do this!

OK, first, I've managed to move Shanna and Kyle up here from Sarasota, along with most of their stuff, and they've moved in my house along with Ian and Krystal. There are still boxes everywhere, but it's getting there. Since I've had to work, Krystal's been great about running Shanna and Kyle everywhere so they could get registered for all the stuff they've needed to do. The only thing left is school, and we're waiting on Social Security cards to arrive so they can do that. In the meantime, they will probably have to wait until after the Holidays to get registered, because it's right at exam time now, and they have to go to the school board to get registered. Everywhere you turn, it's nothing but red tape!

Yesterday was Shanna's first Dr. appt. She went with Krystal, and they're both using the same Dr., so it's very convenient, thank God. Both got ultrasounds. Krystal's baby is sitting breech, and is down so low in her pelvis that...you guessed it...they can't see what it is. So many ultrasounds, so little info. This baby is trying to be as mysterious as her Daddy thinks he is! But all still seems to be well, and she is now in her 30th week.

Shanna also got an ultrasound, and got lots of pics of her little tadpole, which came out very clear, complete with flippers and everything! So incredible...I'd have given anything to have seen what my babies looked like! Of course, it's waaay too early to determine the sex, but so far, so good. They did back up the due date, though, to July 21st, so she's in her 9th week now.

This week has been very rocky in other ways, too. We had a problem with lighting the pilot light on the water heater, so they went a week with no hot water. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the sewer lines backed up, so we had to get that fixed. It could have been so bad, but God was with us, and with a little help from our friends, we got by with no bloodshed, and very little money spent! For that alone, I am profoundly thankful for the Angels God sends to take care of us. But can I tell you how my boys rose to the occasion? I have never, ever been so proud, and that's saying a lot! Thank you, boys, for all your help. I love you!

This weekend, Shanna and I will be heading south, while everybody else tries to finish settling in, unpacking boxes, etc. And next week, we'll be planning to merge our trip to see Tex next weekend with shooting farther south to Sarasota so they can see Kyle's parents on Christmas eve and get the rest of their stuff while they're down there (including their bed, much to Shanna's relief...her back's killing her from sleeping on an air mattress on the floor!). Then it's back to Baxley to spend Christmas day with Dad!