He was a very orderly toddler. He would clean all his toys up early on. As a little boy he followed in his big brother’s footsteps constantly but was not afraid to lead the fun too. They were thick as thieves, always together into some kind of mischief. I remember the day they broke the sliding glass patio door out by throwing glass marbles at it… ‘they were bombs mom’. All boy, they both wore camouflage pants most of their childhood.
He was a very determined preschooler. When he decided to no longer suck his thumb, that was it. He never forgot; he was done! When we would go to Braums for ice cream, he would say ‘can I just have water?’ That is the only time I’ve doubted he was my son, haha!
He loved to work with his daddy on any project. When we bought the farm, he became our official ‘Chicken Herder’. He bought his own chickens and later his own cow, which he eventually built a herd from. He learned to drive a tractor and would cut hay for the neighbor as a teen. He gained a passion for volleyball and played for quite a few years on our homeschool club team, then a traveling club, and now just for fun. He went to Votech and learned to be an Electrician, which he still does for a living.
He gave his life to Jesus as an early teen. He attended Quest, a summer camp that “helps young men reject the myth of adolescence and begin to accept responsibility as men of God”. He loved it and returned the next 4 summers as a leader. That final summer he went home with another leader and good friend John, who just happened to have a lovely older sister. By fall, Joseph and Maitland were engaged… the very same weekend Millie was born… They married the next January. We have been so pleased with his choice for a life partner.
He became a daddy just about 2 years ago when they delivered their precious daughter. Did I say what AWESOME parents they are? I have said from the time he became a big brother “He will be a great dad!” and he is. It makes my heart so happy. His sweet wife is also from a big family and is a natural at being a mommy. Soon, they will add to their family with a son, due around Millie’s 4th birthday. This littlest guy will be a bright JOY in a time where our hearts will be missing her so much.
I’m not trying to brag on him as much as share his life story. He has brought us JOY and we are so grateful he’s our son. We love you Joe! Happy 24th Birthday.
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Proverbs 10:1
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