17 years ago...

17 years ago... we were about to embark on the greatest adventure of our life.
17 years ago... We were in the hospital awaiting the arrival of our 1st child.
17 years ago...We became parents.

This morning I gazed up at my 6'3" son and wondered where the last 17 years went. I don't know how Kenny Chesney can sing a song called "Don't Blink". He doesn't even have children, but I can assure you that the words are true.

Don't blink ~ Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap
and you wake up and you're twenty-five
and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink ~ You just might miss your babies growing like mine did

17 years and I have treasured every day. I worked at the ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service ~ try saying that 3 times fast!) until the day you arrived. We were blessed that I have been able to stay home and raise you. I wouldn't change a thing.

When I first held you in my arms, I felt God's arms surround me in a way that took my breath away. I was holding a miracle! I was so scared, yet it felt so right.

When you purchase anything these days they send you home with a user's manual that rivals the Annual Cabela's Catalog (we won't even go into why we receive this preferred customer hardback 4" catalog each year). Yet they send you home with a tiny (well, you weren't very tiny: 9 lbs!) baby ~ no manual. Just a brand new human being that they expect you to raise on a wing and a prayer. Well through the years I have become very good at winging it and prayer had blessed us with each and every step.

It's been an amazing journey and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for you. For now, I am still enjoying every day. The twos were not terrible and neither are the teenage years. You are an amazing kid. Yes, you antagonize your sister, but according to everyone who had siblings, that's to be expected. I wouldn't know; as I was an only child as you have both reminded me of that on numerous ocassions. You often offer to help elderly shoppers with their bags. You hold doors open for people. You are respectful to adults. You are a hard worker. You are are kind and smart and funny and I am so very proud of you. Happy Birthday son!

17 years ago I spent every minute I could holding and rocking you. Everyone told me, "Put that baby down. You'll spoil him." Not a chance! I didn't want to miss a thing. I am so very thankful that I was there to watch you fall asleep, to see you wake up, to read to you, to play with you, to giggle and laugh and cry, to capture the first time you rolled over, crawled, walked and talked.

And yes, it seems like only yesterday!