12:25 AM...

...on February 4, 1993, a little, rashy, red bundle slid into my life and this world, with his forehead pushed down over his face, looking like a little pit bull (and like a pit bull puppy, we didn't see his eyes for quite some time). He was two weeks late - a pattern repeated at bus time every morning to this day. I fed him his first bottle at about 3AM that day, and I've been feeding him ever since. Usually from plates, lately, but with boys that age you take nothing for granted.

Today he looks more like Calvin, but he's 11, and the tallest kid in his class, and his eyes turned out a shade of hazel that is going to have all the little girls cooing (and give me heartburn) in a few years, and he's a class clown and an artist and a natural guitar player and a just plain fun boy to be around.

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Now get your homework done.