Zimmermoments

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

2 years!! How can it be? It seems like only yesterday that I was wondering how I was going to tell your Daddy about your 'being'. I was a little shocked myself. It wasn't that I wasn't wanting you, sweet boy. I just didn't think I was ready for you quite yet. But as always, our God knew differently and He prepared and provided in great ways for your arrival.

Some day I will tell you more about your big sister's prayer for you...she seriously wanted a baby brother and asked and trusted that God would give her one. When we told her there would be a baby coming she KNEW you would be a boy - because that is what she asked for. Her great faith challenged us and we were thrilled when we learned you were, indeed, a boy!!

You are curious, charming, adventure loving, tender hearted toward your sisters when they are sad, you love to be cuddled (for a little while, anyway) and being reunited with someone after they have been gone (even for the time needed to take a shower) makes you really happy. During your more 'difficult times' you are impatient, terribly stubborn and very strong willed. You bring me to my knees in desperate prayer more than I should even tell you:) Forcing you to do anything is rarely easy or successful. Training you takes a bit more persistence and patience on our part. But as you grow older, I see that all of these 'qualities' are 'usable' in God's eyes....and I trust, as I did when I first learned you were growing inside of me, that God has a great plan for your life....I love you with an indescribable love, my sweet boy.
I remember holding you for the first time after you were born...my son. I'm still challenged in knowing how to raise a son as I desperately desire to raise a man with integrity and conviction..one who will lead when necessary all while knowing what it means to follow God each day of your life, one who will love tenderly and unconditionally, one who will be able to share his thoughts and ideas in ways that are wise, yet sensitive. I may be all wrong in wanting these things for you, because most of all, I want you to be who God wants you to be. I trust Him to equip us to train you in His ways.

Here are a few things I can tell you about how you are as a two year old..... you love trucks and cars. You've been known to carry at least 8 matchbox cars with you at one time. You also love airlplanes and trains. Every once in awhile we see you taking care of your sissies' dollies. We were concerned at first, but we know that you just love babies:) You love puppy dogs and we smiled when we saw a softer side of you while you held on to the puppy at the petstore a few weeks ago ...precious! You appreciate a good mud puddle and I can tell that it is just IN you - the need to step (or jump) in each and every one you see. You hate vegetables (and hate is an appropriate word for this, I promise), you don't like bread or cake. You love macaroni and cheese and spaghetti and ice cream. You love a good bubble bath. You LOVE your dad....your smile lights up a room when he enters your presence:) The two of you are good buds. You love your sisters too and when you are not ripping up their artwork or pulling their hair, or throwing your cars at them, you enjoy playing with them and loving them. You make their day when you go into their room to wake them up. They love having you crawl into bed with them. They are like 'little mommies' for you and you LOVE it! And I'm pretty sure you like me a little too - I can tell by the look in your BIG brown eyes each time we connect. You are precious, loving boy!

What a gift it is for us to watch you grow and to share life with you. You make us so happy and we treasure you. Happy Birthday, Eric Joseph. You are a gift from God!