January 18, 2008. 8:16 a.m. Six pounds, four ounces, 19 inches.

You were here, finally; I was officially a big sister.

You were so tiny, smelled so nice, and shriveled like a raisin but yet with just one look I instantly loved you; I knew my job from that day forward was to teach you right from wrong, protect you, and even get on your nerves later on down the road.

It's hard to believe that day has been 8-and-half years ago already. You are growing up so fast! You started third grade, and love school (depending on the day). You have become so independent and sometimes I find myself treating you, as you say "like a baby."

What you don't realize is you'll always be my "baby brother," and I will always look out for you. I want you to grow up to be the best man you can be, the one every one comments on how polite and grateful you are. I want you to be a man that treats people with respect, regardless of how they treat you. I want you to want to go to college and get a secondary education. But, most importantly I want you to be a Godly Man. I want you to know and love God and build a very strong relationship with him, and never doubt him or his love no matter what people say.

Bubba, my hopes and expectations for you are so high that they may seem impossible; I want you to know that they are not. You have so much potential to do so many great things with your life and all I want is to see you succeed, and I will do anything to help you get there. Together, as a team, we will conquer what life has to throw at as because nothing is big enough to stop or get in the way of the love I have for you.

Love,

T