Asa and Jude turn 8

How in the world is it even possible that these two are turning 8? It seems like only yesterday. I remember every detail which I can't say about Titus or Abe's delivery. We weren't expecting it. It wasn't time. At about midnight, I woke up to go to the bathroom and my water broke. We fumbled around like we had all the time in the world. We drove Darby to my parents because she was our first dog child and took our time packing bags.

Once we arrived at the hospital, reality set in that the two of you were being born. It wasn't time. I was 35 weeks. Then, the reality set in of what "could" happen. The next morning, you two were born via c-section because yall were all twisted in there like an L shape.

Ya'll were perfectly healthy at 5lbs 8 oz and 5 lbs 9 oz on that memorial day weekend. I remember every visitor, every pain, every emotion. You two made me a momma. It was a learning milestone. Now, there are 4 of you and we say on a regular basis that the two of you got our best parenting. We were not tired. We were not dreading the next milestone because we had never experienced it. We embraced them all. I love all 4 of you equally, but in all honesty, I remember the firsts you two had the best.

I couldn't wait for you to walk and talk and run. You were our lives. We spent our undivided attention on you. Honestly, you grew us into parents.

We used to spend time  in your room at our old house just holding out our arms and waiting on you to run to us as we giggles gleefully. Nothing made us smile as big as your firsts.

Titus came along as you were toddlers. You took all that his first months of life entailed like it was nothing. It rocked our worlds and holding the two of you helped us through those days.

For a long time, we were convincedbthat you loved B and SueSue more than us. Here lately, you want to be with us and it melts our hearts still.

You had a love for baseball early on and it was because of B. You knew all the Giants players better than you could recall family because while we were working, you grew a love for the game. In this season of life, we will divide our attention amongst that love, Titus' desire to play flag football and having a baby, because we are crazy. At the end of the day, making sure you have brushed your teeth, said prayers with daddy, and while I quietly sneak upstairs to make sure you are tucked in, I simply smile. We have made it 8 whole years and you are still here.

You two are smart. You make our mornings easy. You wake up ready to conquer the day. I remember watching the Jetsons at 3 o'clock on the dot while we fed the two of you thinking we would never get passed those days and nights. Now, I relish in the moments you crawl your big selves into my lap on family Bible nights and pray with all my heart that in those moments God conquers your hearts.

You are great students. You strive to do the best you can in all you do. You love your friends. You love new things. You love school. You love learning. You exceed our expectations daily. God could not have given Titus and Abram two better big brothers. We see the way they look at your. The way Titus mimics you. The way you two make Abe belly laugh harder than anyone and we smile.

You made us parents on May 28, 2010 and we are forever grateful. That day, we died a little inside to ourselves because we had you. God gave us you. My prayer since that moment has been that He use the two of you to do great things for His kingdom.

You were our firsts in everything. We have failed so many times, but trust me when I tell you, you got our best parenting skills. ha. We have teachers, friends, parents of friends, church leaders and many others tell us all the time how well behaved you are and we smile silently inside knowing that even in the rough and ugly, you came out just fine.

I literally am having a hard time with this 8 year old milestone. In ten short years, you two will be out on your own to conquer the world. My prayer from here has changed a little, yet remains the same. Not only do I pray that God gets your heart and you do great things for His kingdom, I pray that it is soon. I pray that through your daddy and I, you see Christ and He brings you to Him. People are not lying when they say the days are long and the years are short. I can't believe we are 8 years in this parenting journey.

You made us and Mom and Dad and you make our hearts swell with joy and pride as we celebrate both of you.

Asa of base(as I lovingly call you), you are the first born and so much like your daddy. You love deeply and think silently on everything. Words of affirmation make and break you. You are a great big brother and herd our flock of kids the best. The little people, even Jude rely on you. You are the oldest. I get that part and I work everyday to meet your needs because we are almost polar opposites. Sometimes, you get away with more than Jude because I know you are your daddy and you are passionate about your stand.

Jude(Man has stuck from day 1), you are me. You look the most like me. Your heart is the most like mine. You are me in a relationship with your daddy and your twin to a T. Yall are basically little David and Jae's. Parenting you for me is definitely the hardest because you are a mini me. I know where your hear and head are. I see me every time I high five and spank you. I pray more specifics for you than anyone because I know that heart. I see it. I love you all equally, but I KNOW you. You are me. Sometimes, you get away with a little more than Titus because I know that thought process.   I know you have weighed it all in your little head and I hear you.

I love you both to "Jesus and back" {as you used to pray}. Being on this journey the last 8 years with the two of you has grown us as parents and humans. I pray that we point you to the cross even in our failures. Happy 8th Birthday to our firstborn twins which still blows my mind. We love YOU BOTH!!!!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Asa and Jude. We are so blessed to be your parents. You still eat like you are at the ballpark even at home, although, Jude is still the best eater(he gets it from his momma). Your brothers look up to you two and yall both make the baby laugh the hardest. I am still convinced B is your favorite person as yall look to him for answers over us to this day. I hear "Call B and ask him" more than I like to admit. You LOVE your friends and see no faults even as you tell us stories of what people say at school and we cringe at times. You love the beach, pool, water, respect sleep the best out of all 4 children(see the above about getting our best parenting), you both love going to church and still name each other as your best friend to which makes us swell with happiness. You two will always have a bond most wish to have, especially Titus. He is dying for people to say Abe is his twin.

Love you sweet boys,
Mom