Friday, July 16, 2010

Forever Family Day!

Today has been full of emotions for us. We're so happy to celebrate one year with Joel. He has brought more joy and laughter to our lives than we ever thought possible. There's also some sadness there, too, in thinking of what Joel lost a year ago.

When we first became parents, we were unprepared for how difficult it would be. We were also unprepared for how deeply we would love our son. We have fully realized the truth in the quote, "having a child is to decide to forever have your heart walking around outside of your body."

We are so thankful for the past year with Joel. He fits in so well with our family and we love being three. It's a wonderful thing to celebrate!

July 16, 2009


July 16, 2010


We love you, Joel!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

We love you too, Joel! Try to stay out of trouble. Love, Nancy and Jim

Cori said...

Happy Forever Family Day!

kelly said...

I love what you had to say in this post! So sweet. Look at Joel in those two photos - what a difference a year makes. He was a baby and now he's a boy. Still as cute as ever though. Happy Forever Family Day!

JoJo said...

Happy Family Day!! I remember it like it was yesterday. But what a big boy Joel is today :)

Amy said...

He is getting to be such a big boy and those pictures show how much he has changed in a year. I know you are excited to see what this next year holds. Happy Forever Family Day!

Bekah said...

Happy Forever Family Day! Look how much Joel has grown! So sweet!

Heidi and Jason said...

Happy Family Day!

Elizabeth Frick said...

Happy Family day!!! I like that quote about children too :)

Kari said...

Awww...Happy Forever Family Day!

Colleen said...

What a wonderful quote. Happy Forever Family Day to all three of you! :)

Christy said...

Happy Forever Family Day!

Christy said...

BTW - the quote I've had hanging in my house since my DS was a baby. :)

Kimberly and Ed said...

Happy Forever Family Day! I love seeing the two pictures of Joel. He is so cute:-)

Kristen said...

Happy Forever Family Day!

Kris said...

Happy Forever Family Day!!! What a sweet post.

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

Happy Forever Family Day! I love the two comparison photos... obviously he's changed... but he's also kept so much of what makes him "Joel"! Love it.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

BrandiB said...

Congrats to your family and Happy Forever Family Day!

Birdie said...

Happy forever family day! I love the hat in the two photos a year apart - beautiful boy!

sue said...

LOVE the pictures! it's so fun to see these boys one year apart. happy family day!!!!