Josh turns SWEET 16

He got a Jeep for his birthday

Best Friends



I know that I haven't posted in a while, with the kids at home for their summer break it has just been so busy. I have also been hit with a summer cold and sinus infection. I finally gave in and went to the dr after being miserable for over a week. I couldn't let today go by without posting about Josh's big birthday!

I can't believe it has been 16 years since I laid in a hospital bed and gave birth to our firstborn, Josh. He was born at 12:54 PM, weighing in at 6 pounds 8 oz and was 18 " long. My due date was June 14th, but he was too stubborn to come early. I can remember praying to have him on Father's day. I thought that would have been awesome for our firstborn to be born on that day. I couldn't think of a greater gift to give his dad, but it wasn't to be. I guess I day late wasn't too bad. Of course the dr. had to induce me.

As I reflect on the past 16 years with him, I can tell you that life hasn't been dull. Josh is our firecracker. Even as a newborn he has made sure he has always been heard. The first 15 weeks of his life he had colic. Anyone that has had a baby with colic knows how trying this can be. When it passed, he was a happy baby. He always had a smile on his little chubby face. I wish my scanner was working so I could post some photos of him as a baby. As a toddler Josh loved playing with his Tonka trucks and bulldozers in the sand and mud. He still loves the mud. A Jeep was the perfect vehicle for him.

Josh has always loved spending time on the beach. Tom is from Florida, so I guess it is in his blood. I think he gets his love for the beach and sand from his Oma (Tom's mom).

I can honestly say that Josh loves life and tries to live most days to the fullest. Sometimes this can get him in trouble when he doesn't think before he acts. I love it when he tells me that he started to do something, but then he heard my voice in his head. AAAHHH the voice of reason! Hopefully all the long talks we have shared he has heard most of them. As he earns and enjoys his new freedom of driving alone without an adult I can only pray that he keeps a level head, hears my voice and knows that God is always riding with him.

For months Josh begged to go to Hooter's for his birthday. He is your typical boy, but he is a good boy with a good heart. We had never eaten at Hooter's so I really didn't know what to expect. You hear all sorts of things. I can honestly say after giving in and agreeing to go. It wasn't bad at all. The girls were covered. I told them to have fun with him since it was his 16th birthday and I wanted it to be one that he rememebered. I think he will. He was speechless. If you know Josh, this is a hard task. He always has something to say.

We will go sometime this week to see about getting his driver's license. I can not believe that we have a child that can now drive. You think that this day is so far away. It's really not.

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY JOSHUA THOMAS!

WE love you and are very proud of you!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Clay and AC