Happy Birthday to the baby!

Today, October 14th at 10:00 a.m. in 1992 the baby was born. He weighed in at 10 pounds and 15 1/2 ounces. He was 22 1/2 inches long. When the nurses took him to the nursery to be checked out and clean up, they laid him on his stomach in the little clear bassenet. Standing outside the nursery window were his two brothers and his sister, Randy, my mother and Randy's dad. Caleb raised his head and looked at them, then he pushed his arms out in front and raised all the way up lifting himself from the waist up off the bed. We have video to prove it. Not only was he huge, he was strong.

Later in the morning as his sister, Charity, stood watching him through the glass, a man and his daughter stood nearby looking at another baby. They looked at Caleb for a moment then the man said in a concerning tone of voice, "Look at that baby. I wonder why a baby that old is here in the newborn nursery." Charity was furious. She spun around, glaring at the man and said, "because he is only 4 hours old!" and stormed off. She was nearly in tears when she found her dad. How dare anyone talk about her baby brother!

The newborn diapers did not fit. The nurses had to go down to the pediatric floor to get the next size diapers for him. And knowing how many diapers a baby goes through in a day, Randy had been buying newborn diapers for months and we had a closet full of them. They were soon donated to a daycare.

I loved looking through the old photos tonight. What precious memories of that day! Such a beautiful, precious baby. The years have gone by way too quickly. These sixteen years have been filled with such joy and laughter.

Caleb, you have lived up to your name. You have enriched our lives. You keep us young (...and tired). It is truly an honor to be your mother. I count it a privilege to be entrusted by God to teach and train you in His ways. Keep the Word around your neck and in your heart that you may always obey Him and not forget what He has done for you.

I am so glad you are YOU! I love you, son. Happy 16th Birthday.

1 year birthday party!