Dear Boston & Braxton,
As you boys grow up, you will be blessed with friends that make a huge impact in your life. Those friends will bring a smile to your face. They will warm your heart. They will bring you happiness that will change your life. And, they will help make memories that will last a lifetime.
Growing up, I was blessed with great friends. And, as I have gotten old, I have been blessed with even more wonderful, caring, and awesome people in my life.
Eleanor Roosevelt inspired millions and left us with one of the greatest quotes ever. She said, "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart".
Throughout time, you will realize who those true friends are and you will be so happy that they are in your lives. They are the friends that will always be there for you. They will answer your phone call at 2 a.m. They will be a shoulder to cry on. They will be the voice that comforts, advises, and makes you laugh. And, as they are there for you, you will be there for them.
To my true friends...thank you for always being there for me. And, you know that I will always be there for you.
This weekend, we were lucky enough to spend time with some great friends. Our family has a cabin in Paragonah (thanks G-Ma and G-Pa Donnelly), and we love to spend time up there enjoying nature and each other's company. This weekend, we invited the Lawrence's and Erickson's to the cabin for a weekend getaway and what a great time with had. Great times with even better friends...
Boys, in short...always cherish the friendships you are lucky enough to have. Nuture them! Make an effort to grow them into something special. If you do, you will never regret the great friends and memories you make.
I am so grateful for my friends. And, I am most grateful for my best friend...your mom. She makes me so happy. She makes me smile. She makes me feel loved. And, she makes me laugh. I could not ask for a better best friend, and I love her with all my heart.
I love you boys so much. I cannot wait to hold you guys. I am so happy that I am your daddy, and I cannot wait to be your friend!
Love,
Dad
Dad
"SOMETIMES PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE" Sometimes people come into your life and you know
right away that they were meant to be there, to serve
some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help
you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be - a roommate, a
neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a
complete stranger - but when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment they will affect your
life in some profound way.
Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible,
painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you
find that without overcoming those obstacles you would
have never realized your potential, strength,
willpower, or heart.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness,
and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of
your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they
may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight
flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and
comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the
success and downfalls you experience, help to create
who you are and who you become. Even the bad
experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are
sometimes the most important ones.
If someone loves you, give love back to them in
whatever way you can, not only because they love you,
but because in a way, they are teaching you to love
and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your
heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn
about trust and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take
from those moments everything that you possibly can
for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk
to people that you have never talked to before, and
listen to what they have to say.
Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your
sights high. Hold your head up because you have every
right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and
believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in
yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in
you.
You can make anything you wish of your life. Create
your own life and then go out and live it with
absolutely no regrets.
And if you love someone tell them, for you never know
what tomorrow may have in store.
Learn a lesson in life each day that you live! Today
is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Was
it worth it?
Author Unknown
right away that they were meant to be there, to serve
some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help
you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be - a roommate, a
neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a
complete stranger - but when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment they will affect your
life in some profound way.
Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible,
painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you
find that without overcoming those obstacles you would
have never realized your potential, strength,
willpower, or heart.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness,
and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of
your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they
may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight
flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and
comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the
success and downfalls you experience, help to create
who you are and who you become. Even the bad
experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are
sometimes the most important ones.
If someone loves you, give love back to them in
whatever way you can, not only because they love you,
but because in a way, they are teaching you to love
and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your
heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn
about trust and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take
from those moments everything that you possibly can
for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk
to people that you have never talked to before, and
listen to what they have to say.
Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your
sights high. Hold your head up because you have every
right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and
believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in
yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in
you.
You can make anything you wish of your life. Create
your own life and then go out and live it with
absolutely no regrets.
And if you love someone tell them, for you never know
what tomorrow may have in store.
Learn a lesson in life each day that you live! Today
is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Was
it worth it?
Author Unknown
Thank you so much for inviting us on the fun weekend getaway! We love spending time with you guys and love the friendship that we have. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father brought you guys into mine and Andrew's lives. I can't wait to keep spending time together and strengthening our friendship. We are SO SO SO happy for you guys and can't wait to meet the boys.
ReplyDeleteBoston and Braxton- Andrew and I can't wait to meet you two! You are already loved so much, even by your Mommy and Daddy's friends. This weekend we had so much fun with your parents and we can't wait to have more fun times with them in the future. This past weekend was the first time I could really tell how much you guys are growing and your Mommy has THE CUTEST baby bump. You guys are growing so fast and we can't wait until you guys make your appearance this summer!!
Love,
Andrew and Kayla Lawrence