How Did 12 Years Go By So Fast? | Jon Stolpe Stretched

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How did 12 years go by so fast?

This is the question I asked myself as I crawled into bed last night. Twelve years ago yesterday, our lives were forever changed when our son entered this world. I remember spending that day working in the yard with our two and half year old daughter, Hannah, who was decked out in a cute watermelon themed outfit complete with a watermelon hat. As we were getting into the middle of the afternoon, Leanne suddenly came outside and indicated that we needed to get moving quickly. The baby was on the way. Little did I know how soon he would arrive. We rushed to the hospital. And we barely made it out of the parking lot and into the hospital when Leanne’s water broke. Within an hour we were holding our 8 pound 6 ounce bundle of joy.

You would never think he was once so small when you see him now. At five and a half feet tall and just over the 100 pound mark, Isaac is rapidly becoming a young man. When we think of Isaac many things come to mind: he is talented – especially musically, he is kind, he is thoughtful, he is caring, he is funny, he is quiet, he is goofy at times, and he is a tinkerer. These are just some of the things that I think of when I think of my son.

But there is one thing that I am most proud of when it comes to Isaac. He loves God. His faith is important to him. He wants to do the right thing. Don’t get me wrong, Isaac is a 12 year-old boy who gets into trouble from time to time. But if you really get to know Isaac, you’ll see a kid who seeks to honor God. What more could a father ask for?

As we head into Isaac’s teenage years, I am beginning to realize that my time of influence is limited. I pray that I can have an impact on my son, and that I can help him to become the man God is calling him to become. As a father, I have the honor, the privilege, and the responsibility to intentionally teach him and lead him in his journey to manhood.

Isaac, I’ll do my best to help you. Be patient with me though, because I’m still figuring it out myself. Happy Birthday, son! I’m proud of you, and I love you, buddy.

What were you up to twelve years ago? How are you being intentional in your parenting?

http://billgrandi.com/ bill (cycleguy)

12 years ago…let’s see that would make me 47. How in the world am I supposed to remember that far back when I have enough trouble with yesterday? I can say I was in between places to live. We were about to move to Ohio. That took place around June 1. It was a scary/exciting time as we had no place to go except to live with my mother-in-law. Little did I know the road God would take me on. As for parenting…it is now grandparenting. You will do well Jon.
- http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe
  
  Thanks, Bill!
http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

Twelve years ago I was miserable in my job, had a almost 6 and 2 year old, and was thinking about moving to Louisville, KY. I try to be intentional.
http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

Happy birthday Isaac!

Twelve years ago I was growing through some of the worst pain I’d ever felt. My girlfriend had broke up with me, I’d left a church I loved, and felt rejection all around. Thankfully that has all changed…
http://www.leahadams.org/ Leah Adams

Happy birthday, Isaac!! Wow! 12 is a big deal.
12 years ago we had just moved back to our hometown and I was still in the midst of a stronghold that had such a death grip on me it should have killed me. Praise God, He was greater than that stronghold.
http://www.eileenknowles.com/ Eileen

Crazy how fast they grow up! Happy Birthday to Isaac!
Bridgette Petrino

Hey Jon – What a cute picture of your children when they were little! It was nice to get to meet your family yesterday. 12 years ago I was just about to meet to husband for the first time. Wow – time does go fast and a lot can happen in 12 years!
- http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe
  
  Bridgette, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It was nice to introduce my family to you and your husband yesterday. Hold on to your hat as the next 12 years will go by quickly for you.
http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

Twelve years ago I was no where near where I am now- Praise God!

cute pics, thanks for sharing.
Stretch Mark

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–Well, twelve years from next
Saturday the 21st, we were in same position. Our Grace came 5 weeks early in an
emergency C-section and at under five pounds was so tiny and seemed so dainty. Since then, she took us through the colicy
years as a baby and has turned into a beautiful girl. The thing is, her daintiness was fleeting. I have been blessed with three
daughter, and this one is the son I never had. She is tough-minded and likes rough sports play. She will even come up and hip-check me
when I'm not looking.

She is my pride and joy, as are all
of my girls, and I just know as tough as she is that there is some unsuspecting
young boy playing video games somewhere who has no idea what he is in for when
he meets and decides to marry her.
He will get a caring, loving wife who WILL be in control.

Stretch Mark
Stretch Mark

Well, twelve years from next
Saturday the 21st, we were in same position. Our Grace came 5 weeks early in an
emergency C-section and at under five pounds was so tiny and seemed so dainty. Since then, she took us through the colicy
years as a baby and has turned into a beautiful girl. The thing is, her daintiness was fleeting. I have been blessed with three
daughter, and this one is the son I never had. She is tough-minded and likes rough sports play. She will even come up and hip-check me
when I’m not looking.

She is my pride and joy, as are all
of my girls, and I just know as tough as she is that there is some unsuspecting
young boy playing video games somewhere who has no idea what he is in for when
he meets and decides to marry her.
He will get a caring, loving wife who WILL be in control.

Stretch Mark
- http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe
  
  Great perspective, Stretch Mark. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us, and Happy Early Birthday to Grace.
http://dbartosik.com/ David Bartosik

no kids yet man, but wow- yeah 12 years dude….middle of high school,figuring out life, and simply trying to know what identity was and where to go! Great reminder of where we have been and where we are going
- http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe
  
  Thanks for stopping by and commenting, David. I have appreciated your recent addition to the Stretched community.
http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

We were spending our final year in Russia twelve years ago.