8 years gone by so fast

I remember the moment he came out. Brian leaned over and told me he had the blondest, most perfectly parted hair. It wasn't until four hours later, when I held him for the first time that I saw how truly blonde the hair was. It was almost a beautiful bright gold. The nurses would stop into my room just to see the new baby "with the gorgeous hair". He was then and is now a one of a kind kid. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him and he has taught us so much in these 8 years.

Today, Patrick turns 8. I look back on his short, yet so fulfilled life, and I can only imagine what the future has in store for him. A typical firstborn, Patrick is cautious, yet curious. He is not our roller coaster rider like his little brother. He prefers to stand and watch. He is stubborn, yet persistant, and tries his best to finish anything he tries to accomplish. He is a serious kid (much like his dad), but loves to make people laugh.
He is the best big brother Matthew could ever ask for. He includes Matthew in everything, and encourages him when he is feeling like Patrick always does things better. He is an artist and uses his creativity in everything he does. He has his dad's engineering mind, always building something. Legos are his favorite toy, but instead of creating the set as it is suppose to be created, he builds something all on his own with the pieces.

He is everybody's friend, and he has no problem welcoming the new kid in school. He is a good kid at school, and we have never "been called by the teacher." He is a pleaser and does not like to disappoint. However, he does not like to do his homework, and it has been a huge battle for us every night.

He has a great big heart, and is always thinking about other people. Last year at the preschool fundraiser, he helped a group of Japanese orphans that were visiting, and he gave them his prizes and candy because "they were not as fortunate as him."

Patrick is a scientist, an adventurer, and an explorer. His favorite movies are Indiana Jones movies, and he claims he would like to be an archeologist when he grows up. When he was three, he wanted to be an astronaut. He finds treasure wherever we go, and his imagination stretches to the moon and back.


He has experienced more in his lifetime than most kids his age, living in a total of 5 states, and 1 country. He has traveled from the east coast to the west coast, to the midwest, to the south. He has visited over half of the states, has traveled to Australia, Guam, and all over Japan. In November, he will add China to his list. He has stood inside the Sydney Opera House, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, Climbed Mt. Fuji, held a koala, visited the Big Budda in Kamakura, Japan, and so much more. His life has been filled with moves and change, but also with adventure in going to the next new place.

He now weighs over 53 pounds and is 52 inches tall. He loves sports, yet is cautious on the soccer field or basketball court. He gets fired up to play and gives it everything he has. In November, he will go for his yellow belt in Taekwondo. He climbed Mt. Fuji and made it to the last station before the top. He was my inspiration and kept me going. He does not tire easily, and from the day he was born, sleep has not been a high priority for him.

Most of all, Patrick is our sensitive kid. He is easily hurt, and while he tries so hard not to show it, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a thinker, and sometimes his thinking makes him scared and curious. He can have problems falling asleep at night because his mind works overtime. He questions things, and he worries (more than he should for an 8 year old). He is a listener, and we have to be very careful what is spoken around him.

All in all, we are blessed to have a happy, healthy, and very normal 3rd grader. Happy birthday, Patrick. We are so very proud of you and love you very much.