Eighteen years! And for me, it's the second time as a parent. I am officially a parent of two adults. I'm not entirely sure how it is even possible because I certainly don't feel like it's been 20 years since I was expecting our first child--until I walk by a mirror and see my reflection. But, since this isn't about me...
Happy 18th birthday Joshua! And how fortunate we all were this year that your birthday happened to fall on a day when you got the morning off of pitching practice, so for the first time in four years, we got to celebrate you in the morning with breakfast in bed!
It was difficult to know if you were glad you got to sleep until 7 instead of 5:30.
It didn't take too long to dig in though.
Again with the expressions...we know you were really happy about everyone being in your space.
We WILL look back at these pictures someday and LOVE them.
A recap of your 17th year (or is it your 18th year?) in pictures:
Your smile...is one of the things I love about you. It lit up the room when you were an infant and it has ever since.
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| Lander, WY...an early morning hike and some heavy rock lifting! |
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| Total eclipse of the sun. |
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| You're so lucky to have grandparents who come to watch you play...and the ones from out west made the trek to every game! |
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| Brothers...I hope you remember how great it was to get to play with both brothers. |
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| Picking your Christmas tree. |
You're an amazing young man. Someday you'll want to remember that you work everyday to get bigger, you're a champ because everyone gives you grief about your disappearing hairline and you laugh with them. You came home for lunches and on Tuesdays drove to Palmyra with me to get milk and other times watched too many episodes of Criminal Minds. You are as excited to see Esther everyday as she is to see you, and sometimes Willa too although she told you recently that she can't wait until you move out because you're not very nice. (You don't remember much about being 3 and what is normal at that age) You like your coffee black, your candy sour and your space tidy. You've worked at True Value Hardware store since last summer and there isn't anyone who doesn't enjoy you there. You have always had a huge heart and you still do. You've made a handful of bad choices here and there and gotten in trouble for them too...not sure if you want to remember that or not. :) You're still pretty much a minimalist and not afraid to be yourself, even though you're still working on figuring that out.
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| I think they're just smelly but I guess now it is legal. |
We all love you Joshua and we are so glad you were born! Happy birthday.
