Joshua at 1 month. It seems when your child is this size that you have forever to cherish him.

But he grows, and you are glad for that. It's what God intends for him and for you. He develops a personality, a sense of who he is.

Sept. 12, 1986.

He likes to read and be quiet and contemplative, or be rambunctious and outgoing. He has an intelligent sense of humor and laughs out loud easily and at the slightest thing. He has empathy for others and cares for those whom others may label as different. He sees the value in every person but gets angry at injustice. He is generous.

One year old today.

He just likes anything that comes his way, always happy as long as he is with his family and friends, doing what he likes to do.

Joshua, age 4.

Sometimes he can do bad things. Like cutting a one foot square piece of upholstery out of the couch cushion cover with a pair of scissors. I'm so stunned and he is so cute that I just don't know how to react. Why did you do that? I ask. I don't know, I was just practicing. he replies. Practicing for what I wonder as I flip the cushion and send him to his room, wondering what sort of punishment to give him, and what Dennis will say.

Grade one.

We teach him what we can and trust God to teach him what we can't. We have only one desire for him really; to be happy with his life.

Baptism at Whonnock Lake with Pastor Scott.

He grows, and changes and before we know it he has become a young man. How did someone so kind and sensitive come from me and Dennis? (and handsome, oh my goodness! where did that come from?)

Graduation day, June 2003.
As much as he loves his family God has blessed him with enough independence to want to persue his own dreams. He likes to cook wonderful meals for others. So he finds a way to make it happen, and gathers the courage to go far to achieve it. All the way across the continent to Cambridge, Maryland, a four star hotel, the Hyatt Regency.

With Grandma on wednesday.

He says goodbye to those he loves.

Thursday, May 18, 2006.
His going away party at our place.

And he drives away.

Our family in the backyard.
Dennis, James
Joel, me, Nicole, and Josh with Noelle.

It's what you want for your children. To know the Lord and to be happy, to persue their dreams. Somehow they grow and change and become their own person. Who ever knew that it would be possible to feel pride and sorrow at the same time.
Congratulations Joshua. We are so proud of you but we will miss you more than we know.

We love you so much,
Mom and Dad.