Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary

Twenty years ago today I got up at an ungodly hour of the morning and drove an hour to the hospital. Not because I was in labor, but because I was supposed to be induced. This was my fifth pregnancy, and my babies had consistently proved that they liked to ignore little details like due dates in favor of hanging out in the womb and growing ever larger.

The doctor had actually offered to induce me a day earlier, but I refused because I didn't think it was fair for my baby's birthday to fall on April Fool's Day. I actually chose to stay pregnant for an extra day.

You owe me, Son.

When we got to the hospital, we were told that all the labor and delivery rooms were full of women who were actually already in labor. 

Since when do walk-ins get preference over those of us that made appointments?!?

At any rate, we were sent home where I waited impatiently for four hours until we were called and told there was a room available. 

You seriously owe me, Joel.

We were missionaries on deputation at that time, so right after we came home from the hospital, my husband left for a missions conference. He'd been gone for two days when Joel started running a fever. A trip to the doctor ended up as a trip back to the hospital where tests landed Joel in the NICU with viral meningitis. It took a week and a lot of medications before he was well enough for us to go home once again.

Flash forward through twenty years with this guy who climbed trees repeatedly and then yelled for someone to help him down, pushed his younger brother--strapped into an umbrella stroller--off of a two foot high cement porch, taught himself how to play the piano, missed camp because he got hit in the mouth with a softball, and casually mentioned that he got stabbed in the head with a pocketknife while wrestling at college.

Joel, it's never dull when you're around. We love you, miss you and are so proud of the godly young man you've become. Happy Birthday!

You still owe me.

Today also marks the beginning of our second year of blogging here at lolinministry. We're going to do a couple of changes, so tune back in here tomorrow to see what we have in store for you. And thanks for reading. Without you we'd only be amusing ourselves.