Raise them up in the way they should go...

I feel like I am in a time warp and life is going by in fast forward. It seems like just yesterday I was joking with Rebecca that she should let me deliver our second child and without trying it almost happened! 14 years ago we welcomed our son Alexander Aquilino Wearne into this world and life has been an adventure ever since! I am proud of both my children and have been blessed with an amazing daughter and son.

Alex,

     From the time you were in your mothers womb I anticipated not only meeting you for the first time but also the excitement of watching you grow from an infant into a man. I was excited to teach you how to hunt and fish, hammer a nail, cook a meal, shave and so many other skills you would need as you grew. At the same time I was worried about making mistakes and fearing that I wouldn't always be the parent you needed despite going through these same emotions only a few years earlier when you sister was born.

I can still remember the look on the nurses face when she was trying to weigh and measure you and you kept rolling over onto your stomach despite only being minutes old! Over the years I watched you grow and enjoyed your love of vehicles and Thomas the Tank Engine. You always seemed to find a way to make us all laugh, whether it was your imitation on me with the plumbers crack, your constant pointing or just plain ol' getting into mischief.

Thanks to mommy's craving of my homemade bread and butter jalapeno slices it didn't take long for us to discover you loved spicy food and hot peppers.

You were a good baby and Mommy and I both enjoyed spoiling you and while you really loved your mommy you loved hanging out with me and Ariel on our adventures too!

From the time you were little you loved your dogs. We would find you and Tucker chilling out in the kennel almost daily and no matter where you were Goliath was never far behind and as he did with Ariel every night when it was bed time he would lay in your door way making sure you were safe.

I didn't realize it at the time but you were growing up quickly your personality was blossoming before our eyes.

You were always willing to help me out with whatever it was I was doing, I regret the times I wasn't patient enough to let you help me more but over the years I have some great memories of working together splitting wood, working on your tractor, building the chicken coop and many other projects. One of my favorite pictures is the one below when you were determined to help me tie my boots

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After Goliath passed Mommy and I went to North Carolina to pick up Navarre and while he was the entire families dog the two of you were like peas in a pod - Some day I will let you get a dog of your own and I look forward to watching the bond between man and dog once again.

I have been blessed in the fact that both you and your sister share my love of hunting and fishing. I reflect often on the time that I spent in the woods with my dad growing up and I hope that some day you will look back on the days spent fishing or hanging out together in the hunting blind with the same admiration as I do.

In the past 14 years you have grown from a boy into a fine young man. I am proud to tell people that you are my son. While I know that the days of holding my hand as we walk together in public are quickly fading away I love that you still give me a hug every day. You are a loyal son, brother and friend. You have taught me a few important life lessons and I hope that I have given you the correct guidance needed so far. I look forward to watching you transform into the great man I know you will be some day. I love you son and I hope you have a Happy Birthday and your 14th year of life is one that will be full of joy. 

Happy Birthday Son, I love you!

Daddy