HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMBONI

Today is a very special day.

My little Samuel Curtis K. turns 12!!!!

THEN

Sam's first picture

Sam's first trip to Disney World

My all time favorite "home boy" picture.

NOW

Sam being Sam

Sam's last day of School

Sam today

Last night Sam decided to stay up until midnight. That would allow him to open his presents because it would officially be his birthday. Did NOT work.

After he finally went to bed Blake and I walked down memory lane.

Sam is a true miracle from God.

I was sent to bed at 14 weeks for preterm labor with Sam. The doctor told me that day he really didn't know if he would make it full term or even live. The words he spoke to me before I left the office that day are still so real to me.

"Sometimes we don't understand what is going on. Only God knows what is in store for this little baby. He might choose for things to end now or we might make it all the way. At this time we just don't know."

I left feeling very downhearted. The whole pregnancy was that way.

We didn't talk about names for a long time. I was afraid that would make things too real if something did happen.

Finally after many ultrasounds it was clear to us we had a little boy. We were thrilled. Jesse was thrilled. Ann cried. She wanted a sister.

We fought tooth and nail to keep this little guy safe and sound. Every week that passed I would breathe a sigh of relief. We were coming closer to his due date.

The time came at about 24 weeks for us to pick a name. We knew his middle name would be "Curtis". It is my father's middle name and it was very important for him to have a "family" name.

Blake and I talked about names but nothing seemed to fit this little guy who was literally fighting for his life every day.

One night I was reading my bible. I put it down and when I picked it up the book Samuel was open. I thought it was an interesting name and started to read. Hannah's struggle for a baby suddenly became very real to me.

I Samuel 1:20 jumped out at me. "She named him Samuel saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him."

What a startling reality. I had asked, begged, pleaded, bargained and cried for this child. He was to be named Samuel too. Blake agreed.

When I looked up his name in a baby book it said, "Asked or given of God". To me that was even a better meaning. We had asked God and the time had come to believe God was giving him to us.

Even at this time we still were not sure if Sam would make it without severe difficulties.

There were still many scary moments. But Sam fought hard and was born only three weeks early. He was so skinny. He reminded me of a little turkey after Thanksgiving.

Sam did not have one ounce of body fat. You could count every rib. I cried the first time I gave him a bath. He was so skinny and looked so little. How did this poor little guy ever survive?

Two weeks after he was born we went back to the doctor. He had gained almost three pounds!!!

The one thing I have learned from Sam is God has a sense of humor. Does He ever.

I loved Calvin and Hobbes and Sam is still my Calvin.

That child has taught me more about life and living that anyone else in the world. He is not going to miss a thing. He lives life to the fullest and dreams great and mighty dreams for his life.

He has given me lots of gray hair.

Sam loves to walk on the roof, jump out of very high trees, jump his bike across the creek, play hockey with a golf club, try hot sauce even though it is really hot, knock out teeth gracefully, jump off the diving board BEFORE he can swim, make counterfeit money with paper and staples, throw everything that is not nailed down out of his bedroom window, be James Bond, be Superman, be Indiana Jones and lots more.

Through Sam I have learned to love unconditionally, pray harder for protection, see the world through rose colored glasses and laugh until my sides ache.

God has truly given me a blessed gift. His name is Samuel. I can't imagine how boring life would be without Sam. He makes me smile, laugh and want to be a better mom. He helps me dream big dreams.

Sam,

Don't ever change. Continue to be yourself. There is not another you in this whole world. There never has been or ever will be. You are one of a kind and we love you for that.

God has great plans for you. Your life has been in His hands from the very moment you were conceived. He has worked to protect you and has given you a strong will to live.

He has given you a zest for life that I have never seen before.

I am so proud to be your mommy. I thank God every day for such a wonderful young man.

I will love you forever and like you for always.

Grow strong in all the ways of God. You will continue to walk an exciting path.

I also hope at some point in your life you will have a child just like you. Life is never dull with you around and I want you to experience this as a parent!

Love, Mommy.