Our oldest daughter Laura turns 4 today. So far she’s celebrated the morning with a bowl of Rice Krispies and a new Veggie Tales DVD. She’s quite excited about it.

Here’s a little photo retrospective:

Laura at one day old:

Laura on her first birthday:

Laura on her second birthday (gotta love the Elton John glasses):

Laura on her third birthday:

Laura, almost 4, at Andrew’s wedding a couple weeks ago:

She is turning into quite a young lady… time just flies. We are so blessed to have a sweet girl who loves her family and loves Jesus. Happy birthday, Laura!

Two years ago today, about this time early in the morning, I was making phone calls to my parents and Becky’s parents to let them know they had a new granddaughter. What a blessing Addie has been to us in these past two years. Happy Birthday, young lady… can’t wait to celebrate many more with you.

Yeah, so my birthday isn’t until Friday, but finalized plans yesterday to be able to not just attend the Andrew Peterson concert here in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, but also to be the runner for the day, which basically means just hanging out there at the church as they set up and then driving AP and company around anyplace they need to go. I was runner a couple years ago when AP and gang came for the Behold the Lamb of God tour, and it was a blast.

I was afraid it wasn’t going to work out, mainly because I have been unable to find a replacement worship leader, so I still have to setup and then lead music for the 5:30 service at Imago. In stepped Becky, who awesomely volunteered to be the runner for me for a couple hours while I do the church service, then I can make it back just in time for the concert. Too much fun.

Andrew Peterson will be touring with Andy Gullahorn, Jill Phillips, Ben Shive, and maybe some others, and will be doing music from his upcoming album Resurrection Letters, Vol. 2. I’m listening to a few songs from it right now on a Michael Card podcast and there’s some amazing new stuff. Saturday is going to be fun.

A birthday that is always easy to remember, coming as it does the day after New Year’s. Aaron turns 25 today. A full quarter-century. Feeling old yet, bro? I have a feeling 2008 will be a memorable year for ya. Happy birthday!