My boy

Well, this had been quite the month for my boy. He got to turn 14, go to New York City and make the High School tennis team! Wow! That's quite a bit for a boy who has never been 14, never been to NYC and never played tennis before this summer.

When God gave Jay and I the gift that is this child 14 years ago, we were so overwhelmed with joy that I can't find adequate words to explain the feelings. While he was a baby I watched every stage and held onto it for dear life because I would often think "hold onto this moment, because there will never be another like it".

And you know what, I was right. With each stage behind me, there was not another one like it, but what I didn't realize is that with each new stage there would be as much excitement and joy as the others. Different, yet the same. I still watch his accomplishments and become as proud (I know, pride is a sin, I try to contain it though, I really do) as I did the day he took his first steps and said his first words.

When we went to NYC for his birthday I had so much fun with him. We weren't just mom and son there, we were pals hanging out, seeing the sights and drinking in the city. I couldn't have had a better time with anyone else. He is so smart, so funny and so much fun to be around. It was such a glimpse of the man he is becoming.

I realized though, that this time was so very precious as he is now only 4 years from being out of the house and on to college. How could this be happening? I started to get a little sad at that thought.

But instead of clinging to this age, this stage, I am going to embrace it because I do know that with each new stage is going to come something exciting and new. After all, we have never been to a tennis match before and I know watching him play for the first time will be another proud moment for me and his daddy!

He is a good boy. He has a great heart and he loves the Lord. I know Jay and I still have years of work ahead of us in teaching him what he needs to know about the world, but I can confidently say that the Lord has Jayson safely in his arms and will be watching over him. This way, I can enjoy the stage instead of worrying about the next one! =)

Happy Anniversary Jay!

Today is my 18th wedding anniversary. 18 years ago, I was a mixed up young woman who really had no idea what commitment truly meant. But for some reason, (grace I guess you could say) God placed this amazing man in my life and offered him to me as my husband. It was the moment I became Mrs. Jay Hatfield that my life started to change. I have stability, I have commitment, I have accountability and I have a rock to which I can hold onto when my storms get a little too scary for me. I have someone to share good times with and I have someone to cry with me through the bad times. I know any road I travel, Jay is right there with me. And my favorite part about my husband is that he is such a Godly man. He makes his decisions based on what he thinks God would want him to do, not on what Jay would want him to do. What more could a woman want? Well, he does do dishes, trash duty, household chores, kid duty, carpool and laundry too but those things are just perks that go along with him! =)

I love my husband. After 18 years I couldn't imagine my life without him in it. He is so amazing that I can't imagine not spending my life right by his side. God blessed me 18 years ago and for my husband I am so incredibly thankful.