daddy4ms

Today is my beautiful wife's birthday.  I am so thankful for her.  If you see her around, wish her a Happy Birthday.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of her:

Today is my Dad's Birthday.  If you are in Yates Center, wish him a "Happy Birthday". I'm thankful for my dad and all he taught me over the years.  Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is Molly's 10th Birthday! If you see her around, wish her a "Happy Birthday". I can't believe that she is in double digits now.  It just seems like yesterday that she was born.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of her:

Happy Birthday, Mitchell. Today is Mitchell's 17th birthday! I don't think I am old enough to have a 17 year old.  I hope you have a great day, son.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Mitchell:

Today, I have another teenager in my house. Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Megan!

Today is my daughter, Mackenzie's 14th birthday. She is beautiful inside and out. We are thankful for how God has cared for her from the beginning even when she was born 5 weeks early.  Happy 14th Mackenzie! I enjoyed celebrating with you last night & will celebrate a little more tonight.

Today is my oldest niece's birthday. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day.

Today my daughter Mackenzie turns 13. It is hard to believe that I now have two teenagers and one more close behind.  As you have heard before (if you have not heard the story, click , Mackenzie was born at 35 weeks and had to spend two weeks in the NICU.  Looking back, we see God's faithfulness during this difficult time in our life as parents.  We are grateful and thankful for the gift of Mackenzie and how God is working in her life. She is a beautiful young woman inside and out.  Below is a picture at birth and a recent picture.  Happy 13th Birthday, Mackenzie. I love you!

Today, I turn 39 or as my mother-in-law says the age that Jack Benny always was. I am looking forward to a good day of celebrating life. Below are some new books that I received from my aunt. I love books! Now which one do I start with?

My baby turns 7 today.  It is hard to believe this baby who caused a little stress, worry, fear, and anxiety in me as I heard we were pregnant again would be a joy-filled, energetic, crazy, funny, Jesus loving, song singing, big smiling, story reading blessing in my life. Happy Birthday, Molly!

Happy Birthday Abbie!  Here is a picture of us at Thanksgiving:

Well, actually today, I am.  My son, Mitchell turns 14 today.  Happy Birthday, Mitchell! From the beginning, he has been keeping us on our toes.  With his early and quick birth to his new games or languages to loving and making videos to being very passionate about sports and his activities, I am proud to call him my son.   Have a great 14th birthday, Mitchell!

It's hard to believe that Molly is now 6 years old.  This unexpected child has brought great joy to our lives as well as many others.  Here is a picture from the beginning and a more recent one: Happy Birthday, Molly!

Today  is my oldest daughter's 11th birthday.  I have previously shared on this blog about her birth.  She was born at 35 weeks and spent 2 weeks in the NICU.  If you would like to know more of the story, click here or here . We are thankful for God's protection, provision, and strength to bring her through those two weeks and to this day.  She has a sweet spirit and is loving, caring, and a servant.  If you see her today, wish her a happy birthday.  Below you will find a picture that was taken last night during puppet practice.  Thanks Deb Buhrman for the great picture!

Today is Megan's 9th birthday!  Here are two pictures of her today and my favorite picture of her as a toddler.  I can remember seeing her for the first time with her red hair.  It has been fun watching her grow up and watch as her personality develops.  She is a spunky, independent, imaginative, girl who loves to sing. Happy Birthday Megan!

This is a re-post from a year ago. I didn't have time to write a post yesterday in honor of my beautiful daughter, Mackenzie. So, I am writing it a day late. While I am wishing "Happy Birthday" I will also say it to my college roommate, Ed, whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday to you both! As I reflect on Mackenzie's birthday, I am reminded of God's faithfulness. I wrote a post two years ago describing Mackenzie's first days out of the womb. She was born at 35 weeks and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. As we looked at pictures, it is a reminder of the great care she received, but more importantly of God bringing her through a difficult time. Bethany and I are continually amazed at how God gave us peace despite Mackenzie's health situation. I am so excited to see how God uses Mackenzie in the future. She is a true servant. She loves to help others and always considers others. She will go along with things to avoid conflict in...

When I arrived home today, I was greeted by Molly and Jacob and their "dirt" cakes in the driveway.  Molly explained to me that hers was for Aunt Traci.  That was interesting since Molly does not have an Aunt Traci.  Then she explained to me that she went to eat at Pizza Hut for Aunt Traci's birthday and I was getting more confused.  Finally, I got the scoop from Bethany.  Molly went to eat with Traci Thiessen today for a birthday lunch and since everyone around her was calling her Aunt Traci, Molly decided to join in too. That girl is always making me laugh.  But it just reminds me of the simplicity of a child's world.  It was not weird for her to call her Aunt Traci because that was what she heard.  It not unusual to have a great imagination that can make birthday cakes out of dirt or pies out of sand.  It just reminded me of the joy of being a child.  What do you miss from when you were a child? By the way, Family Night at Hesston...

Here are a few pictures from Molly's birthday. Thanks to all who celebrated with us & for phone calls, cards, & gifts from family & friends.

Today is my youngest daughters birthday. She turns 4 years old today. I can vividly remember the day I found out that we were going to be having another baby. To say I was shocked or surprised would be an understatement. I thought our family was complete with 3. I found out on my birthday. Fast forward to July 20, 2007, when beautiful Molly entered the world. She was born c-section and did not immediately start crying like all the rest of our kids did. Those were a few, scary minutes as the nurses sucked fluid out of her lungs which eventually allowed her to let out a scream. From Day 1, the word that can best describe Molly is joy. She was our easiest baby by far. When she would go into stores, she would catch someone's eye and smile real big. People always would comment on her smile and the joy she brings. She knows how to light up a room. She makes me laugh on a daily basis. Even though she was my surprise baby, I cannot imagine life without her. Thank you God for ...

I didn't have time to write a post yesterday in honor of my beautiful daughter, Mackenzie. So, I am writing it a day late. While I am wishing "Happy Birthday" I will also say it to my college roommate, Ed, whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday to you all! As I reflect on Mackenzie's birthday, I am reminded of God's faithfulness. I wrote a post last year describing Mackenzie's first days out of the womb. She was born at 35 weeks and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. As we looked at pictures last night, it is a reminder of the great care she received, but more importantly of God bringing her through a difficult time. Bethany and I are continually amazed at how God gave us peace despite Mackenzie's health situation. I am so excited to see how God uses Mackenzie in the future. She is a true servant. She loves to help others and always considers others. She will go along with things to avoid conflict in the home. She is a caring, sensitive young lady....