Bubbles in my think tank

New Life ~ Ian James Mallari

Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed

for me, when as yet there were none of them.

14 years ago yesterday this is what I looked like. Two weeks overdue and BIG AS A HOUSE!

I remember being at the hospital at 6am to be induced because I was two weeks overdue. I had gained 50 pounds and could barely breathe because Ian was taking up so much room! Our first child...of course we were as nervous as two first time parents could be. He didn't cooperate and made my life crazy for about 12 hours but it was the best crazy I've ever known. When you see your little boy's face for the first time it's so overwhelming that there is no amount of brainwashing that could ever remove that memory.

We were so nervous when we took him home. I had experience with Ben and Sara but that was from an aunt's point of view. If something went wrong it all went straight to Leigh Ann and Todd but I still knew that my life was important to them. I got to help raise them...(the key word being help). Today, May 27, 1993, my life became even MORE important. Ben and I brought new life into the world. And WE had to take care of him. Love him. Feed him. Change his diapers. Make sure he was safe. My worst fear was that he would die and I had NEVER thought of that before I became a mother. I had heard alot about SIDS and it made me so freaked out that I was checking his heartbeat and making sure he was breathing every 15 minutes. I realize now that that was normal. He started growing up and 14 years went by so fast. It seems like just yesterday when we brought him home.

All 9lbs 14oz of him!

Some of my favorite things about Ian...
*he's kind
*he's loving
*he's compassionate
*he has a huge heart
*his still remembers his first teddy bear...his name was Bobbie after my Aunt and he took Bobbie everywhere...we still have Bobbie.:O)
*he loves sports and we've become such the sports family..wagging around our chairs and cooler and toys for Owen and Jake. Its just become the norm for us
*he has the warmest most beautiful smile I've ever seen
*he's very handsome...very much his fathers son

To Ian:
Happy Birthday Baby!

Ring in your BIG 1~4 having fun and laughing. You are such a great kid and you are growing up to be a wonderful young man. (Ok so the teen years are making your dad and me nuts and giving me all kinds of gray hair but that's to be expected I hear!) I just want you to know that you are loved loved loved so much. Remember that no matter where you go or what you do. You have a great sense of right and wrong and, even though I know you will make some choices in your life that may not be what I prefer you do, you will make them with consideration and spirit. Remember, when you make wrong decisions (and you will), just pick yourself up and start over. Life is way too short to worry about decisions that have already been made. Fix them and go on. When you make right decisions, don't forget to pat yourself on the back. And always keep your sense of humor because there will be lots of days in your life when you will need it.
You've just 'graduated' 8th grade and you'll be heading to high school in a couple months...I know you're going to love it and I know that our lives will change yet again. I look forward to going thru these next few years with you son. Thank you for being such a special part of my life.



Some things from the Bible I want you to remember as you get older....

Read Your Bible....This is a great way to get to know God better.
Psalm 199:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
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Talk to God...He's always there and those are the BEST conversations you will ever have. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
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Tell others about God...Always find a reason to tell someone else about God but be gentle. Sometimes you can push people further away. Remember your dad?
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
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Go to Church...Not only do you learn how to live in Christ, it keeps you accountable.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encourage one another and build one another up.
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Give back to God...Remember those less fortunate than you...
Matthew 10:8
Freely you have received, freely give.