Future Olympian?

Elijah,

It's a monumental moment in history - the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Daddy and I have been addicted to cheering on Team USA as they go for Gold. There are, of course, my favorite events like gymnastics, swimming, and diving. And then I caught daddy watching water polo. Water polo? How do you know you're going to grow up to be an Olympic Gold medalist in water polo?

It's gotten me thinking - considering you don't share our DNA, you might not share our interests or talents. So how do we know what you're good at? How do we know what activities and opportunities to expose you to? How do we know what might just 'click'? Could you be a future Olympian?

Of course needing to have some resolution to these pressing questions, I started researching. I read an article talking about all the neurons in a baby's brain being ready for development. If you're exposed to music and sports and arts, then the neurons will connect to those experiences and they'll be a part of your makeup. If you don't have opportunity for exposure, they die and become brain matter.













Okay, so that doesn't really put my mind at ease. Now I'm feeling even more pressure to make sure you have well-rounded experiences and a world of opportunities for you to develop and grow.

After all of that, it was one of the most horrible days at work. The only thing that kept me from having a meltdown was knowing that you were waiting for me at home. Sure enough, in true fashion, you were all smiles - greeting me at the door. You didn't care what kind of day I had. You didn't care whether or not I had been grouchy or grumpy. All you knew was mommy was home and your big gummy smile was all I needed to brighten my day.












In light of all this pressure to raise you right and the stress of work, I realized something. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you're bringing home gold, or just bringing home "the bacon." What matters is that you've made the most with what you're given and lived each day to bring God glory.

Have I lived well enough today to hear Him say, "Well done"? I pray so. Not because I deserve the credit, but because I want to give Him all the glory.

So, my little man, you may not be a future Gold Medalist. You may never play water polo. We will do our best to give you every opportunity and experience we can to develop that baby brain into a flourishing mind. But whether or not you become a future Olympian, all we really care about is that you grow into the person God has planned. That, my love, will make you the most mighty of Champions.

I am so proud of you.