Happy First Birthday, Porter Knight!

Porter Knight, 

Today, my handsome boy, is your first birthday! What a year it has been knowing you and loving you. I'm so thankful for every single moment we've had and memory we've made together.

I remember February 4, 2010 -- the day your daddy and I found out God had blessed us with a second child. His perfect plan for you had long ago been formed, and we were thrilled to learn that we got to be a part of it. I remember May 26, 2010 -- the day we found out our blessing was another boy! We decided upon your name (and relished keeping it to ourselves) and looked forward to watching our two Braly brothers grow up together close in age. And of course, I vividly remember October 13, 2010 -- the day you (with the encouragement of a bit of pitocin) decided to grace us with your presence. Kissing your tiny, precious face and snuggling you to my chest was just as sweet the second time around. My heart exploded with adoration that day, Porter, and it hasn't been the same since.

It has been so much fun watching you grow and learn and become the child you are today. You definitely have two very different sides to your personality. Depending upon the time and place, you can be very quiet and reserved, keeping to yourself, or extremely boisterous and outgoing, drawing any and all attention to you. Either way, you are a blast to be around. We're always anxiously waiting to see what crazy stunt you'll pull next. And oh, the faces you make, Porter. Of course, one can't not love the huge, goofy, gap-toothed grin, but I think my favorite may be the puckered lips and scrunched-up nose (a.k.a. "stinker face"). For as sweet-natured as you usually are, you can also show a feisty side. I've said before that you're not afraid to let us know when you're ticked at us (or at life in general); if anything, your flair for the dramatic has significantly increased as of late. (Something tells me that's not getting better anytime soon.) You are one of a kind, Kiddo, and I love every last bit of you, frustrations and all.

As wonderful as this year has been, we've had our fair share of challenges. The decision we made to put you in a helmet was not an easy one; it was met with lots of prayer and some tears, too. We just wanted so badly to do the right thing for you, Buddy. Thankfully, you've been a trooper, the 4+ months that you've spent wearing it have gone smoothly, and now you have a nice round(er) head to show for it! Without a doubt, our hardest challenge to date was the weight drop at your 9-month appointment. My stomach still gets tied in knots thinking about seeing the scale that day and the sense of guilt and dread I felt for weeks afterward. Three months later, I can confidently say that, with hard work (and perhaps a few battles of the wills), we've gotten you back on the growth charts and looking healthy again! As difficult a road as that was to walk, I can now look back with gratitude at the lessons it has taught me about releasing things to the Lord. He's constantly trying to break me of my worrisome and controlling ways and remind me to trust in His power to handle things -- big and small -- in our lives. God has very clearly used you as an instrument to help me with this personal struggle.

This year has brought about huge changes in not only you, but also in the child who came before you. Kaiser is so blessed to have you as his baby brother, and he is a better boy because of you! You've taught him such valuable lessons in caring and sharing and thinking about others besides himself. I am so touched at some of the simple efforts he makes to show you he cares. And you are equally blessed to have him as your big brother. He is your favorite playmate, makes you smile and laugh like no one else, and teaches you so much. Watching your love for one another grow is our greatest joy.

Porter, we can't begin to explain how great a gift we were given in you one year ago today. Thank you for all of the love and light and life you've brought to our little family! Our world -- and for that matter, the whole world -- is infinitely brighter with you in it. We pray that we will continue to provide you with the love and guidance needed to grow into a man who loves and serves Christ and others. We know God will use you in mighty ways, and we can't wait to see what's in store for your life! Here's looking forward to an awesome second year with you, Big Boy...

All our love, 

Mommy, Daddy & Kaiser