Dear Austin

Oh my how the years have zipped by, my first born baby is becoming a young man right before our very eyes. It's quite an amazing thing to watch your child transform right before you and to see fruit starting to bud in his life.

I love that I can play the last 12 years like and old film strip remembering each year as you grew.

Your first year you were such a sweet sweet baby, I remember being teased by family members because I would never leave you and was so very protective.

From about age one to four you were very attached to us. We couldn't leave you anywhere-not that we wanted to anyways. Alot of times even to go to the next room you were soon behind us.

As I look back at age 5-6-7 you seemed so old like this wise little man. We went through some hard times. With a suicide in the family but you grew so much during that time and really learned what it meant to trust in our Heavenly Father. I look back and I'm kinda "Aw struck". You have always been such a great helper, sometimes when you think no one is listening to you talk to the littler children I melt into mommy bliss. Your sweetness to them is beautiful. Your so much like your dad like that. Quick to help a little one get something or chasing one of them as the house fills with excited screams of laughter. I defiantly see the Lord has blessed you with wisdom. You are such a good example to your younger siblings. I pray this next year you will continue to grow in your love for Him. And that you will dig deep - deep calls out too deep remember that ;).

Austin you truly are a gift to us.

Thanks be to God for HIS indescribable gifts 2 Corinthians 9:15