Noah

 Eleven years ago God gave Sean and me an awesome gift, an inheritance. We named him Noah Joseph. Noah, because we just liked that name and Joseph after my dad. I had a really pleasant pregnancy with him, which is not normal for me. I ended up having him about 3 weeks early. He was 7lbs and 14 ounces so that was fine with me:) We thought he was so cute. Big eyes, big juicy lips and long brown hair. Love at first sight:)
 We lived in New York at the time, so we were a long way from family but we loved it there. At 4 weeks old, Noah got really sick with RSV. I had to call the ambulance one day because he could not breathe well enough for me to even make it to the hospital. When we got there, our world started to spin. Noah had only gained his birth weight back and was still jaundiced. The doctor admitted him and began a series of test to find out what was going on. Scary! They thought that he may have had a blockage in his liver so we had to have an ultrasound on his liver. I remember like it was yesterday, seeing my tiny little baby laying on that table. I prayed! Sean prayed! That came back fine but we still did not have answers to why our baby's liver was not working right.
  We ended up leaving a week later, better from the RSV but with no answers to what could be wrong with him.  After a few weeks we found out that he had a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.  It is basically a deficiency in the production of an enzyme that helps to turn off the immune system particularly in the lungs.  It also could mean a significantly decreased life expectancy as a result of years of lung and liver damage.  We were devastated to say the least.  We had Hunter and Peyton tested next and found that they have the genetic disorder as well.
It was a good time to find this out, if there ever is a good time, because God had begun a good work in our hearts a couple of  years prior to Noah's birth.  He gave us a peace regarding our children that can only come from Him.  They are His! God knew exactly what He was doing when He made our children:) Noah is so healthy now, most of the time and we do not take that for granted.
 Noah is our tender hearted, loving, kind, outgoing, lefty, creative, outdoor lover, handsome son:) He loves everyone he meets and loves the Lord most of all. He loves to tell people about Jesus everywhere we go. I pray that he will always be that way. Only God knows our days here on this earth, whether few or many. He has given our son eleven wonderful years so far, and for that I am so grateful. I pray that we will be faithful in teaching him more about the Lord and that Noah's life would bring Him glory! I always get a little emotional on my babies birthdays, can't you tell?

Noah,
Seek Christ diligently with all your heart. Only care what Jesus thinks about you. Love others and put them first always. Stay on your knees praying. Read your bible and keep telling others about Jesus. We are so thankful that God blessed us with you. You are so precious to us. Your big smile lights up the room. We love you sweet young man:-) Happy birthday!

   ~Mom~