Happy 1st Birthday Deacon Andrew

Today my baby turns one year old. I absolutely cannot believe it. This has been the most chaotic, fast, happy, sad, terrible, wonderful year of our lives. Of course, Deacon only brought the positives. Judging by the fact that Manning was less than six months old when I got pregnant with Deacon, I'm sure you've all come to the conclusion that Deacon's conception wasn't planned. I've joked all year that while Deacon wasn't a part of Nathan & Kodi's plans, he was definitely part of God's plans. Only recently have I realized how true that is. This has been absolutely, hands down, the hardest year of my life. Nathan and I have gone through so, so much, and I firmly believe that God knew I would need that sweet little chunk of love to get through my days. Manning is wonderful, but he's just at a hard age, and some days parenting him isn't very fun right now. I love my kids equally, but if I'm being honest, many, many days, it's Deacon's sweet, laid-back personality that gets me through.

So, Deacon, when you read this some day, I hope you'll know how very, very much your daddy and I love you, and how you are the sweetest, most perfect baby we never planned on. Thank you for being our baby.

February 22, 2011