Seventeen - wow

Well, the kids are officially on ‘Spring Break’. Both Hope and Vinny had great conferences and their teachers say they’re doing well. Trevor had his first baseball practice yesterday afternoon (the kids were off from school) and he said it went well. Today, Trevor’s in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and later Brittany has a ‘Lady’s Tea’ to attend at our church.

17 years ago today, after 17 hours of labor, Amy gave birth to our first child. I remember going to the hospital sometime around 3 or 4 in the morning and just waiting and waiting. All of this was SO new to both Amy and I and we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Sometime during the day, she started have labor pains in her back and they decided to give her demural. She had never had this drug before and it wasn’t too long after that we discovered it isn’t one she’d ever take again. About two minutes after having the drug administered, her head started rolling around on her shoulders and she started moaning and her eyes were rolling as well. I called the nurse in and it was obvious that Amy was having an adverse reaction to the drug. They got her calmed down and she slept for about two hours after that. When the time came, it was amazing! The miracle of birth…the first breaths of life…a sudden shaky cry and there she was! She was exquisite! Perfect little toes and fingers! Her little nose and quivering chin…God had truly blessed us! If you’ve never experienced birth first hand, especially witnessing it the first time, it can be overwhelming! We named her Brittany Suzette and she was beautiful!
Now, it’s 17 years later and she’s hardly a baby, although she’ll ALWAYS be my baby-girl! She is quite the young woman. I am continually impressed by her mature spirituality, her love of God and His word. This will serve her well in the years to come as she pursues her dreams and desires. She has been good source of help, by stepping up and being willing to help. This has been for a tough year for all of us, but there seems to be a lot of firsts for Brittany that I know she wishes could have been observed with Amy present.
Dearest Britt, I need you to know how very proud I am of you and to thank you for making your mothers and mine job easy in raising you. I love your sense of humor (even though you say I’m not funny, I know deep down you laugh at my stupid jokes!). Thank you for being supportive of me and being the best daughter a father could ask for. I pray for you daily and ask that God keep you close, guide your thoughts and protect your walk. I know that I’ve told you this before, but the ONLY person who can keep you from accomplishing your goals is yourself! Don’t EVER give up on yourself…and know that I NEVER will either. I love you and couldn’t have asked for a better first born!

- Dad