Celebrating Zachary's Ninth Birthday

Two weeks ago, our once eight and half pound baby boy turned nine years-old! As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun! These single-digit years have zoomed by, in part a testament to the delight and amusement Zachary has added to our family.

Due to a variety of circumstances, Zachary’s ninth birthday celebrations extended over the course of almost a week, beginning with a weekend sleepover with his best buddy and life-long friend Eli, who was born in the same hospital just three days before Zachary. Together they celebrated by playing at a local children’s museum, observing a St. Patrick’s Day parade, watching a movie, and eating lots of cake and ice cream.


Because Mike had work obligations on Zachary’s actual birthday, we gave him his gifts early. He was thrilled to receive some drawing books from Nicholas, a telescope and microscope set from Brandon, and a new bike from us. Of course, riding his bike, drawing animals, and star-gazing before bed were immediately added to the weekend festivities.




Celebrations continued on Sunday with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a birthday lunch at Pizza Hut, followed by ordering some baseball catcher’s gear using money received by extended family members.

My parents arrived on Monday to continue the partying!


Zachary easily convinced them to let him open the gifts from them after supper. He couldn’t have been more excited about receiving additional bug catching equipment, which he has since used almost daily, adding all sorts of little creatures to his menagerie for as long as they will survive.


At last, Zachary’s actual birthday arrived on Tuesday and was spent with my parents eating out, watching a movie, and having a Starbucks Frappuccino – Zachary’s choice!


Had it been up to Zachary, the celebrations would have continued endlessly, still occurring right now. But, alas, all good things much come to an end… or at least, be put on hold until next year!

What a blessing our youngest son has been! Full of life, enthusiasm, and passion, at times he has been a challenge to teach and discipline. Yet his life reveals a pattern of progress, sometimes at a snail’s pace, but onward nonetheless. Academically, relationally, and spiritually, Zachary is growing in maturity and in his desire to honor the Lord.

Oh my, is it ever a challenge for him! Yet he is willing to face it head-on, as he does anything he truly cares about. To see a child revert back to wayward habits must be heartbreaking, but to see a child grow in wisdom and maturity is pure joy.

We are proud of our little man and his passion for life, for God’s creations, and for the Lord Himself.

“And the child… grew both in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.”
1 Samuel 2:26