This was inspired by Vanessa and Kearsie.

A photo-diary of the four years since Stephen was born:

Holding Stephen in the NICU, where he had to stay for five days due to being born a month early.

Taking Stephen to Fredericksburg, Tx where Brett and I were married.

Seven months old, at Grandma and Grandpa’s in Florida.  (Brett was in Korea for a year)

Helping Grandma fold clothes!  Nine months old and already our little helper!

Soaking up the sun at Grammy’s house in Texas.

First Birthday (party at Aunt Cyndi’s)

Eating all by himself, First Birthday (party at Aunt Cassy’s)

First steps!!!  So PROUD!!!

Already a bookworm!!! (just moved to Hawaii)

Just one of my favorite pictures!!!

He started the tradition of greeting Daddy at the door every evening!!!

First Christmas in Hawaii!

MMM… Cake batter!!!

First hair cut!!! 

 Playing on his friend, Harry’s, new toy! (I think Brett had as much fun as Stephen did!)

First time he brought me flowers. (visitin my folks in Florida)

After his 2nd birthday, wearing his spiffy new shirt!

You can’t tell, but he was crying because I wouldn’t stop cleaning to read to him.

Goofin around with his pal!!!

Beautiful dirty boy!!! (chewing on a hotdog)

MMM… Funnel cakes!!!

Getting a closer look!

Running from the waves! 

Another one of my favorite!!!

Just turned three, so we put him in gymnastics!  Look at that smile!

Learning to play soccer.

Learning how to swim!!!

At the playground!!!

First time holding a hermit crab.  (His favorite thing to do when we go to the Aquarium!)

Getting so big!!!

Learning to fly a kite!!!  (and then flying it all by himself!)

Sharing a drink with Aunt Cassy!

Going to shake Pastor Jeff’s hand before Cassy’s wedding.  (My little Gentleman!)

Kisses for Aunt Cassy! (He was the ring bearer!)

Showing off his fish tattoo.  (drawn on by the lovely artists at Paradise Cove!)

Kisses for Mommy!!!

Reading with Uncle Bobby!

Being goofy!

Talking to a ladybug!

Turning four!!

What a cutie!!!!!

So in four years time, our lives have been that much fuller because of this little boy!  Here in pictures is the proof that kids only make life better.  Look where we have been!  Look what we have done!  Look at the laugher (and the tears) that we have had along the way!  Children are a blessing!  And we have had our lives BLESSED with this child that we can call our own! 

Time has flown by! 

I have cried over this child.

I have prayed over this child.

I have laughed with this child.

I have held and loved and been loved in return!

Four years are past… and a lifetime to go!

Thank God for the blessings of our children!