Happy Birthday Joseph!



Today would be my son's 17th birthday. That just amazes me! One, that I am old enough to have a 17 year old. And two, that the little boy I knew would be nearly a man.


Joseph was born in the wee hours of the morning on April 14, 1994. As our firstborn son, he made quite an entrance in just four short hours. He was a beautiful baby boy, but he suffered from colic for the first 3 to 4 months of his life. Neither his dad nor I were all that thrilled that what we had been so excited for came with such a holler. He was unfortunately destined to have stomach problems nearly all his life.

When Joseph was just 2 and a 1/2 years old, we returned from a trip to Hawaii to learn from his sitter that he had been ill while we were gone. His diahrea continued until we were concerned enough about dehydration to take him into the doctor. The doctor instantly admitted him to the hospital where he underwent tests to discover what was wrong. He was diagnosed with a c. diff which is often caused by too many antibiotics in the system. Joseph's case was from an unknown cause.


Joseph suffered from chronic diahrea for the rest of his life. He underwent frequent colonoscopies. He was admitted and stayed in the hospital nearly every year either with dehydration or complications for his asthma.

Beyond his health issues, Joseph was a lively child. He loved playing with friends. The creative leader of the bunch, he would lead his friends through elaborate, made-up games. He was kind and very loyal to both his friends and his family.


Joey had an amazing laugh. When watching his favorite TV show, "America's Funniest Videos", he would throw back his head and just laugh and laugh. I can still picture him on the couch caught up in a fit of the giggles.

Despite his stomach problems, Joey had a stomach of steel and loved riding fast and spinning rides. I remember once when visiting the Kennedy Space Center he rode the space simulator with his Dad. Hopping off the ride he hopped right back on with no physical effects. We were constantly amazed by his resilience.



Joseph was not a complainer, which meant we often didn't know how much pain he was or wasn't in. He would rather have fun and get back to doing things he loved. He was often sick over the holidays including one Christmas where he passed two kidney stones and spent several hours in the Emergency Room.

Joseph adored his brother and sister and taught them all the in's and out's of sword play, Lego building, and soldier training.


Joseph surrounded himself with amazing friends who loved him as much as he loved them.

Joseph wanted to be a soldier when he grew up, but most of all he wanted to be a Dad.


I am super proud of the young man he was and I'm sure he now is. I can hardly wait to greet him in heaven as a healthy, happy man.

I love you, son! Happy, happy birthday!

27 comments

  1. What a gorgeous layout and lovely sentiments to mark this occasion. He certainly sounds likes a very special boy. Happy Birthday Joseph. xxoo

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  2. What a reminder to hold those little ones tight to your heart and always tell them how much you love them. Bless you and yours.

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  3. Happy Birthday to your beautiful Joseph! Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories. Sending you lots of hugs xoxo

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  4. Joseph sounds very inspiring!

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  5. isabel6:44 AM

    A big kiss to you Joseph!

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  6. That was so beautiful, Jen. He sounds amazing. As I read it, I found it funny when you said he never complained - my older daughter is the same way...such a trooper when she is sick, I hardly know she's sick sometimes. It's wonderful that he was such a happy boy despite any health problems he had. Happy Birthday to Joseph!
    xo
    Danielle

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  7. What a beautiful layout and memories. Happy birthday to Joseph.

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  8. Happy Birthday to your sweet boy and big ((((hugs)))) to you Jen!

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  9. Beautiful thoughts Jen! Happy Birthday to this sweet sweet boy! I'm sure they are celebrating in Heaven today! Love you!!

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  10. Happy birthday to Joey. I'm not sure if you remember but there is a dedication in my son's book to Joey. I copied a layout you did and put a dedication on the back of it to Joey. Hugs! He was an amazing boy!!! Thanks for sharing him with us through your layouts.

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  11. Happy Birthday, Joey! And ((hugs)) to Mom. Thanks for sharing some of your memories on this special day.

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  12. Happy Birthday to Joey! He has such a wonderful and expressive smile, he looks just like you! I'm sure he is smiling today thinking of you and your family and seeing how much he is still loved! Hugs to you and your family!

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  13. Jennifer, such a fantastic layout and such a beautiful tribute to Joey and his birthday. He sounds like he was such a wonderful boy. Lots of hugs today, Jen! You are one wonderful Momma! ;)

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  14. This brought tears to my eyes! Such a lovely post. Thank you SO much for sharing. What a precious and wonderful boy you have! Happy birthday Joey!!

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  15. love you jen! i'll never forget your Joey. :)

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  16. Happy birthday Joseph. You were my very first thought this morning.

    with love

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  17. What an awesome smile, and what a beautiful tribute you wrote. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. I miss you little man! I miss slurpies and sixlets from 7-11. I miss that you aren't playing XBox live with Aaron and Dylan. I miss knowing that you would be involved 100% at church at be loved by all! Especially the girls!! We love you Joey!!!

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  19. Thanks for the inspiration... And as u've shown, the love you have can just continue on.

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  20. What a wonderful tribute!! He's just WONDERFUL!! Happy Birthday Joseph!

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  21. Anonymous7:52 AM

    Happy Birthday to you Joseph. What an inspirational young man.

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  22. What a beautiful tribute to your son. Hugs to you all.

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  23. Happy birthday, Joseph. What a special young man he is!

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  24. Anonymous7:41 PM

    I love you!

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  25. Happy Birthday to your Joey. Such an amazing boy. Missed in this world, but loved and healthy in heaven. Hugs to you.

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  26. ((hugs)) to u. Sounds like he was a very special boy. Now he is an angel in heaven.

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  27. I love that you are able to still scrap your beautiful son and keep him alive in memories :( I got sad reading your posts. I cannot imagine how hard this must be having a 15 month old son of my own.

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