This year was really special in a way the previous two haven’t been and just couldn’t been because of what happened to us in the past year – obviously, we became parents! It’s the most amazing thing to wake up every morning and right across the hall the ultimate product of our marriage and covenant with each other is sleeping to beautifully. Being a parent has brought such a dymanic to my personal life, not to mention our marriage that just amazes me day to day. If I could say nothing else about the positive impact of Maggie on our relationship I would have to say that she has brought Lisa and I closer than I could have ever imagined. But of course that’s not all to see about that lil’ ball of energy… when I think of her I think of one thing, love. And that’s the thing Maggie has brought the most of into my life, and it’s the best thing in the world.

Sorry, proud papa, I digress.

It has been a very growing year for us. There is obviously always going to be growth and change in a relationship, no doubt. Without it the relationship stagnates and stales. But with the added responsibility of being a father, it brought to light the responsibility I had as leader of our little family and thereby awakening me to a whole different way of looking at everything. I know I kinda focused on me there, but the same can really be said for Lisa in that we both realized that it’s not about us, the stakes are higher, all that. And it’s made us really evaluate what is important in life, what is worth our time, and what’s worth focusing our energy on, and it’s amazing how some things begin to fade away in the light of parenthood and all that accompanies that stage of adulthood. It reminds me of the words of Paul speaking about growing away from childhood and putting away those childish things… it’s the same way in that before parenthood, we could do alot of things that we don’t have the time, money, energy, but now that we are living and dwelling in this place, some of those things begin to pass away in the light of your current place. It’s just a really cool thing to witness and experience in such a live and colorful way. Even better is having a partner to share it with you, and go through this amazing thing with you.

Without a doubt this has been one of the best years of my life, and when I look back on this year in my marriage it will always hold a very special place. It was the year my daughter was born, the year in a lot of ways I feel I really grew up, and the year a fusion happened with Lisa and I that just solidified our relationship in such a beautiful way. I’m fortunate to have been blessed in life the ways I have and thank God everyday for these things He’s given me.

I love you Lisa! Thank you for three AMAZING years, being the best wife a man could ask for, and the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen! With all my love, for all my life.

     So here I am one year older. It was an incredible year and I’m so excited that this time next year I’ll be holding lil’ Tadpole as I make this post. God is good and my family is wonderful. You know it’s true that the older you get, the less “umph” your birthday has. But thinking about it now as my “Big Day” this year is winding down, it’s not the day that is special but the days that make up the year with the people who matter most to you that you remember.

     Okay, I’m done being sentimental, I’m sure I’ll be introspective again this week. For now, I’m going to play my new Classic NES Edition GBA SP. Later, and Happy Birthday to me. God bless, everyone.

     It’s going to be a big year for Lisa! The baby is coming and she’s growing right along, our second anniversary is coming up, and who knows what else God has in store for us. We know there are huge things coming and we’re just getting ready for what God would have us do.