Happy 18th Joshua!!

Well, today is the day.  My young man turns 18!  At 9:05 am, he entered this world 18 years ago at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 23 1/2 inches long!  Things were a big tenuous for me on that day.  My heart did not handle the anesthesia well and my heartbeat was lost three times.  It left me with a heart condition known as cardiomyopathy.  However, God in His infinitie mercy, allowed me the privilege of being called "mom" by this young man.  It has been my honor and my joy these last 18 years.

Some of the funny things along life's jouney with Joshua.  At the age of three he was walking outside holding my hand in the dark.  He looked up and saw the moon and was completely delighted.  He exclaimed "I found the moon for you, Mommy!"  It would be years later that he would realize that he didn't really discover the moon but to this day we can be walking somewhere at night or even driving in the car and look at the moon and each other and either mouth the words or say them aloud "I found the moon for you".  It is one of those precious moments that has never gone away and I thank God for. 

Joshua loves my homemade spaghetti.  It's not like I am the world's greatest cook, but in this arena, he makes me feel like Emeril!  He and his buddies will gobble it up and will ask specifically for my pasta and then go on and on and on about my pasta.  He makes me feel like a queen.

Joshua has told me everyday that he loves me as well as this statement "are you glad your my mama because I'm glad I'm your son".  He would bound up three flights of stairs to make sure he hugged me and told me these things before he left the house before football practice. 

Joshua loves to eat!  Anything really.  He loves that God made food and all kinds of it and he has the healthiest appreciation of it.  Especially potato chips!!  A trip to the grocery store will entail at least 5 different bags of potato chips and you'll be hoping this makes it through the week.

Joshua loves people.  He is a chatterbox.  He knows no stranger and he loves to talk about the things of the Lord, politics, and the military.  He will be joining the US Army on June 9th.  He graduates next Friday.  There are so many changes coming his way.  He is excited about all of them.  I'm happy to have been a part of this young man's life thus far and can't wait to see what the Lord has for him.  He is a joyful young man who makes my cup run over on many occasions. 

Happy Birthday, Son.  Thank you for finding the moon for me.  My life would not have been the same without you.  You are such a joy!  I love you so much!