Dear Chris

     How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....Wait, did someone already use that?  Here's the thing, I love you more than Dr. Pepper. You make me laugh and you don't mind if I cry.  You are so sweet with the boys, and you do WAY more than your share.  You work so hard and stress too much, but I know it's all because you want to take care of us. 
     One of my favorite things is talking about when we first met.  Oh, the fun of Martin, TN!  I love that you say you knew as soon as you saw me that I would be your wife someday.  I remember thinking that I had to figure out a way to talk to you every day after that night.  All the things that made me like you then make me love you now, and I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world. 
     Today is "Senior Citizen Day" at school, and I just want you to know that in 30 years, I'm pretty sure I'll look back at this and smile.  I'll smile and think, just like that song says, "We've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then"...

Here's the deal...this has been waiting to be finished for who knows how long, but I'm hitting "publish" today as is.  I have lots more to say about my dear husband, but I can write another looooong post do it! :)

Dear boys-

So much time has passed that I almost thought I'd just give up on this, but I really don't want to! You are both growing by leaps and bounds, and I cannot believe how much has changed.  Walker, you are in school now.  You love it so far and are learning so much.  I am so proud of you and I pray that this new chapter will not dampen your sweet spirit in any way.
    Henry, you are walking and starting to talk, and you have developed the sweetest little personality.  At eighteen months old, you are already such a card! You do things on purpose to make us laugh - funny faces, silly sounds...I never dreamed I'd have two little comedians on my hands!
    I am amazed at the joy you both bring me every day.  School is back in session, and I spend every break I get counting the minutes until I can get home to you.  I am really struggling at work this year, and home, which has always been my favorite place, has become even more dear to me.  I love you both so much, and I want to do better about recording our ordinary lives so I can cherish the extraordinary memories!

Dear Henry -

     Oh, Henry...I didn't know you were missing until you showed up! We wanted Walker to be a big brother so badly; we learned to be patient and wait on God's timing for you to arrive.  You are such a stinker - you grin and coo and "blow bubbles" all the time.  Walker loves you so much...sometimes too much.  He can be a little rough, but you take it like a champ.  I think you're probably waiting for the day you're big enough to pay him back.
     You are such a fun baby.  You can be very demanding, but you can also be easygoing - you like to keep us on our toes!  You started sleeping through the night when you were only about 6 weeks old, but for the last week or so you have been getting up between 3 and 4 a.m. again.  I am praying it's just a short phase, because I am TIRED!  I am missing our nap times (in more ways than one!), but it makes seeing you in the evenings that much sweeter.  I am so happy God blessed us with another handsome, healthy baby boy!

   

Dear Walker-

     I wish I had started doing this when you were born, but they say late is better than never.  I never understood when I was praying for you that you would be such a wonderful blessing to your Daddy and me.  You bring us joy...you challenge us...you make us proud...you confuse us...you crack us up...you amaze us...
     From the day you were born I knew I'd never be the same.  You were a beautiful baby - EVERYBODY said so! :) You had the thickest head of hair, and it was the most unusual silvery-blond I had ever seen.  You made the sweetest squeaky sounds and funny faces.  You were perfect!
     You didn't sleep very well at first, and you were very vocal! When you were about 3 weeks old you started spitting up big amounts after your middle-of-the-night bottles.  Then you started doing it after other feedings, and Daddy and I knew something wasn't right.  I finally called the doctor when you were 4 weeks old - I was reluctant because I didn't want to look silly calling because you were spitting up.  Thank goodness I did, because Dr. Amy told us you had pyloric stenosis.  You ended up having surgery at Vanderbilt Februrary 1st.

 Three years later, you'd never know there was a problem.  You are a smart, healthy, energetic boy!  I am thankful for those early days and the people who took such good care of you.  I will continue your story so I don't forget it and so you will know it!

                                                                                Love,
                                                                                Mama