Happy Birthday Joe!

Our dearest Joe,
Where do we begin? The first year of your life has been amazing! You have taught your daddy and I so much. We've learned about sleepless nights, automatic sprinklers, blowouts, and much more but one of the best things we have learned is how much JOY one person can bring to us. You make us want to be better parents...learning from our own mistakes and the mistakes of others (I had a 12 year old patient who told me he would steal the junk food he wanted to eat if his mom didn't buy it for him...and he was serious! Somewhere there was a breakdown of discipline...) You are an amazing child and I pray that we can continue to bring that out in you through our parenting styles.
We are thankful for the many earthly role models you have besides us. To name a few (but unable to name them all...) are first and foremost, your Grandparents. 1-Your namesake, you'll never know on this earth but will meet him in Heaven. We will always tell you stories about him...about how he was a listener, a kind hearted and servant of God. But most of all, how he loved his back porch! What a legacy he left you...2-Your Marmee, she will always put a smile on her face with her infectious smile. Likely, she'll also give you anything you want...hey, what are grandparents for? but don't get mad at us if we say, "That can only happen at Marmee's house!) 3-Grandpa and Grammy Gauw, I know that Grandpa can't wait until you are old enough to go fishing with him...but I must warn you...he never catches anything, but savor the wisdom he has for you. Grammy, will always have the best food in town and will make sure that you have at least one of your favorite foods if not all of them. They all will show you the life of a Christian and how you should love on everyone and keep Christ first...4-Your aunts and uncles (you have some that are blood related and many that are not related, but if given the choice, they would be), Aunt Marti will teach you how to spoil the women in your life (I hope you have a high paying job!); Uncle Reg & Aunt Brenda will teach you how to stay up to date on politics and current events and how to fight for what you believe in; and Uncle Dan & Aunt Diedra will take you hunting for all sorts of wildlife. You have many aunts and uncles on your daddy's side...Uncle Jay will hopefully NOT teach you how to gamble, but likely will introduce you to Jimmy Buffet (along with Aunt Jan, Uncle Mac and Aunt Cindy)...who knows...if Jimmy is still around in your teenage years, we might even go to Vegas to see him there. Uncle Mike and soon to be Aunt Jennifer will definitely show you how to have a good time...but you'll need to let me know every detail before I give you permission. Aunt Heidi, Aunt Whitney, Aunt Terri, Aunt Hilary, Aunt Maria-Paula and Aunt Genelle will show you what true beauty is and how to handle it.
Now that Ive started this letter, I can't seem to stop thinking about all the people that will be influencing you in your life and I am truly grateful. Your daddy and I will need the village to help us raise you to be the man you are supposed to be. We love you and can't wait for what the next year brings us! Happy Birthday!