Yesterday we celebrated another birthday in our family. Little Son turned nine years old. All I could think of is that another nine years will make him 18, and headed off to college.

He had a pleasant day, and he was very happy with his gifts. He received plenty of clothing, a swimsuit and rash guard, super big water gun, a kite, another butterfly net (his third -- he really works them hard!), a wristwatch, Mouse Trap game, an R/C hovercraft, fisherman's sandals (he specifically wanted fisherman sandals!), and many sweet notes and messages from his little sister. We also ordered him a new Bible, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Baby Girl, you will remember, emphatically adores her big brother. On Friday, she told me that she was so excited for his birthday to arrive. Just imagine: his birthday! She has taken on the tradition of wrapping up various belongings of her own in her own specialty homemade wrapping paper and presenting them to him as gifts. Hey - who need to go shopping to give birthday presents? She must have wrapped up 6 packages in this fashion, and included three different happy birthday letters. It was so cute.

I cannot believe he is nine. That age seems so big to me. He is an absolutely delightful boy. In God's grace, may the second nine years be as wonderful as the first.