Happy Birthday, boo

My second born, Joseph, turned 10 on Sunday. I'm pretty sure every parent says this on every birthday, but really, where does the time go?

When I found out we were expecting number 2, I really wanted it to be a boy. I wanted a brother for Andrew. And, truth be told, I was never good at girly stuff...hair, makeup, etc. I really thought two was going to be it for us...so two boys would suit us just fine! When I found out we were, indeed, expecting another boy, I was over the moon! I came up with the name Joseph. My grandfather, who passed away when I was little, we called him "Papa Joe". His name was actually Chalmas Lexter, so I have No clue where "Joe" came from for him, except maybe that his name was Chalmas Lexter. Haha! Anyway, I remember he used to do magic tricks for us. He would make a candy bar magically appear and give it to us before dinner, but tell us not to tell our parents (we, meaning my cousins and I). Good memories. So, Joseph kind of came from "Papa Joe". Plus, David's dad is Jose, which is the Spanish form of Joseph.

My pregnancy was pretty uneventful. Though I labor very well, my body has trouble getting started. I was induced right at my due date with Joseph. He was my only child who was born in Sulpher Springs, the rest were born in our hometown. I went there per my friend, who had a great experience with a doctor over there. He was a great doctor...a real character. When it was time to start pushing, I did...then the nurse told me to stop until the doctor got there. All I remember at that point is yelling that Joseph was coming. The nurse said not to push. I told her I wasn't pushing at all, that he was coming out on his own. Then she basically ran to me from across the room and caught Joseph...seriously. The doctor was very disappointed he missed it, but such is life...literally :)

From the time my induction was started, until he arrived, around 1:00 pm, was only a few short hours. I had a healthy, beautiful, amazing 6 lb 10 oz baby boy. I was completely thrilled that he looked more like my side of the family, since his older brother looked so much like David's side. It was only fair, right? Remember I thought two children would be it for us? Yea, well, David talked me OUT of getting my tubes tied. I "knew" I didn't want anymore children, but something in me told me to listen to David. Thank goodness, because now we have had two more children since Joseph. Insane how life works out! God ALWAYS knows best. Joseph was such a great baby...ALWAYS smiling, always happy...ALWAYS. He was an absolute joy.

He is such an amazing child. I will admit that he has been my most challenging, thus far. But, though he takes a little more energy at times, I think it's more than worth it, I think his future is going to be really bright. I think God has some prodigious things planned for my sweet Joseph. He is so smart, so creative. His thinking is different than a lot of his peers...which was hard for me at first, but then I realized what an asset that is for him. I read once that God makes each child unique to HIS plan, not ours, as parents. He has created Joseph with a purpose, and I'm so thankful God saw fit to place him in OUR family...that he thinks WE can help him get to where he needs to be. If you read my previous post, you know that I'm not so sure about my ability to do that, but I am blessed that God thinks so. Happy Birthday to my extraordinary treasure of a son...I love you to the moon and back, Boo.