Family and thanks

This is what Dave said at the baptism -

As Abby and I were reflecting on today and this event, it was impossible for us not to focus on how far we’ve come, how challenging our lives have been over the last year, and the enormous amount of gratitude and love we feel for our family, our friends, our wonderful people who take care of our kids, and how lucky and blessed we really are.

We would like to thank the people who have made it possible for us to get to this point – happy and healthy 8 month old boys who are getting teeth and a little hair, two wonderful daughters, a healthy marriage and a large and growing extended family. We are definitely blessed and lucky, but it has taken a lot of late nights, early mornings, made lunches, pickups, drop-offs, trips to the little farm, park and the zoo, games   of go-fish, books read, diapers changed, tears wiped, car seats installed, accidents cleaned up, jelly-beans handed out, and swim lessons to get us to this point.  We are grateful. We know much lies ahead but we know with the amazing support and love of those around us it will be fine. Thank you.

Today is about Roby and Eli. But as I thought about these guys it seemed critical to say a few things to those who are going to grow up side by side with them. To my dear daughters I would like to say. Please be nice to your brothers. They are going to ruin your stuff, make a mess in the bathroom and probably make your life miserable for a while. But please have the patience to teach them the things you know, the love to forgive them when they mess up, the courage and intelligence to help them make good decisions, and the humor to let them date girls you don’t like. Never forget that your brothers love you and need you.

To Roby and Eli: your mother and father love you. To say that you were a surprise is an understatement. But we have a lot to be thankful for and love our family of six. Roby William: You were named for Abby’s dad Robert, his Grandfather Robert French Leavens, and his Grandfather Roby French. Your middle name is the name of Abby’s Uncle Bill, and your Grandmother’s Father William. We hope you share their intelligence, humor and grit. Eli Stephen: You were named for your Papa Stephen Hoverman and your Uncle Matthew Stephen….also, for the current quarterback of the Giants, a youngest brother who has gone a long way. We hope you share their kindness, energy and throwing arm.

It is with gratitude and thanks that we celebrate this day and look brightly toward many more to come. Thank you.

We are so lucky to have all these wonderful people in our lives and miss those of you that couldn't be here so very much.