18 months

This big boy is 18 months today!

Riley, it's hard to believe that 18 months ago you entered our world. What an amazing, tiring, and surreal day that was! We are so thankful the Lord chose to create you and chose us to be your parents! You bring smiles to our mouths and hearts every single day. We are constantly amazed by the things you know and say. Here are some of the words we hear coming from your sweet voice (in a very random order):

daddy
mama
car!
truck ('druck')
orange ('ornge')
apple
banana
pear ('bear')
bear
dog
chair
phone ('down')
down
no (next to 'car', this is your favorite word right now)
yes ('shess')
shoe
jacket
hat
Jesus (melts our hearts to hear this!)
God
church
Bible
cereal
cracker
whale (we buy the cheaper version of goldfish called whales)
cookie
bread
pancake
yummy
yucky
peanut butter (not sure how to type it out phonetically...I'll have to get it on video sometime because it's hilarious!)
computer (also another funny one to hear)
washer
vacuum ('backyum')
hot
book
puzzle ('buzzle')
water ('bopper')
milk ('mulk')

And the list could go on and on! You really are a sponge soaking up everything going on around you. You love going to Bible study on Thursday mornings, and your teacher claims you're going to be a preacher based on what you say in class. If this is God's will for you, we want nothing less, but we're certainly not going to push you into anything. We know HE has a special plan for your life, and we're thankful to be able to walk beside you as you learn to seek Him. Daddy and Mama love you SO much! We pray God's protection and blessings on you every single day of your life!

Father, thank You for Riley Whitlow. Please continue to keep him healthy and strong. I pray for your protection over his body, mind, and soul. We desire nothing more than to see him come to know Jesus as his Savior and Lord. Father, show us how to parent in such a way that You are glorified and Riley grows up understanding who Jesus is and how much He loves him. Thank you for the ways you've taught Daniel and I through this small child. Thank you for the laughter and joy he brings into our home. May he grow up to love You above all else and obediently serve You all the days of his life. Thank You, Lord, for the perfect plan You have for him and for all of us! I love You, my Abba!