Letter # 9 from Daddy to Shplinky - Picture Day

Dear Shplinky,

                So, today is the day!  I get to see you for the first time!!!  I can’t even describe to you the excitement I’m feeling right now.  I get to physically see you; your face, your hands, your nose, your mouth!  How cool is that?!  You better pose for the picture because I’m going to show you to everyone via Facebook (you’ll know what that is when you are older).  Your mommy and I have been waiting for this day for quite some time now!  It’s going to be awesome!

                This morning as I was wondering what it is going to be like to see you, I thought of a few questions that brought a smile to my face:

                When you are little, even now, are you going to recognize my voice?  Are you going to be crying and then hear the voice of your father and recognize it?  I want my voice to be the voice the brings comfort, safety, and peace to your little heart.  I want you to always feel safety when you hear my voice.  I want you to always be able to come to me and cry on my shoulder, hold me tightly, and listen to my voice as I tell you that everything is ok, that Jesus loves you, that your mommy loves you, and that I love you.  I want my voice to be the one thing you can always hear and know that everything is ok…no matter what!

                When you are little, are you going to recognize my face?  When you look around at everything, cause you’re going to be very observant and distracted like your daddy, will your gaze land on my face and bring a smile to your lips?  Will you look at me and see a face of love, care, and joy?  Will my face be something that you seek out as you seek my confidence, my love, my passion for everything you do?  Will you be able to see on my face when you make mistakes and how it hurts me when you hurt Jesus?  Will you seek my face when you make mistakes and I love you no matter the act committed?  Will you seek my face for the discipline and grace given when you make mistakes?  I want my face be the one thing you can always look at to know that you are loved and everything is ok…no matter what!

                When you are little, will you trust and love your father’s hands and arms that hold you?  When you are hurting or when you are sad, will you run to your daddy’s arms – arms that will always hold you super tight to make sure you know you are safe and that nothing and nobody can ever take you away from me except God (for He gives and takes away)?  Will you want to run to my arms when I come home from work to get hugs and kisses?  Will you want to run to my arms to get tickled?  Will you run to my arms after I discipline you, because you know that I commit to trying my hardest to never discipline you out of anger, but always out of love?  Will you want me to hold you just because?  I want my arms and hands to be the one thing you always desire to have around you to know that you are safe, you are mine, and you will always be safe!

                Well, today is the day.  I get to see you.  Soon you will get to see me.  I can’t wait for that moment, but for now, I will be satisfied with just seeing you.

                A few things to think about before your first picture day:

1.       Don’t smile like Mommy when she gets a picture taken…her smile is cheesy cause she did modeling for so long…smile naturally like your Dad ;)

2.       If you feel like you need to flex when we take your picture, that is fine.  I won’t stop you.  You show those muscles!

3.       Remember, it’s ok to suck your right thumb in the picture.  It will just give me more proof  you will be a pure lefty!

I love you, Shplinky.  Only 7 more hours until I see you!  BOOYA!

Love,

Daddy

Letter # 8 from Daddy to Shplinky...your strong heartbeat

Shplinky,

2011 is here!  The year you will be born!  Last year the most amazing thing happened to me…I married your mommy.  2010 was the best year of my life!  2011 is going to be insanely awesome as well!  You will be born in the middle of 2011 (specific dates shortly to come).  As your mommy and I discussed some “new year’s resolutions,” I really didn’t have any (I’m not a big fan).  Yet, as I thought about it, there are really only 2: to be the best husband to your mommy as I can possibly be; to love her as Christ loves the church – and to be the best daddy to YOU as I can possibly be; to love you, give you grace, and to “train you in the way you should go!”  Shplinky, you have no idea how excited I am for you to be born, to hold you in my hands, compare your little fingers with mine, to watch your face as you sleep, and to hear your voice (even though it will mostly be you crying for awhile).

So today marks a very important day (not necessarily in your life, but for me and your mommy’s).  Your mommy got to hear your heartbeat!  It was pounding away, super healthy, at 156 beats per minute!  How cool are you right now?!  You are working buddy!  You are pumpin’ blood to your body and you are growing!  According to my speculations, you are the size of an orange, you can make a fist with your fingers (which I know will turn into shaking your fist towards me when you are hungry ha ha), and you are moving very frequently!  You are just a super-active baby!

It seems that everything right now focuses on your heart.  How big your heart is, how much blood is pumping through your developing body, and now hearing how fast your heart is beating!  Your heart is the focal point right now, and I want you to know that your heart will continue to be the focal point as your mommy and I raise you.  In Matthew 12:34 Jesus says to the Pharisees, “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?  For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart."

The truth of this verse really motivates how I want to parent you.  The truth Jesus is declaring is that the heart and what you have in your heart is what is most important because out of the heart is what flows everything!  The heart is the most important thing!  Shplinky, you need to know that I will always fight for your heart.  I will always fight to help your heart.  I will try my hardest to parent you, care for you, and love your heart – for that is most important.  You are going to do stupid things sometimes (especially if you have any of your Dad in you).  You are going to make mistakes.  You are going to have battles.  Yet, what is most important is your heart.  What is most important is that you know that I will love you and your heart no matter what.  You need to know that I will not train your behavior, but will try my hardest to train your heart.  That is all I can do; and I will do it because I love you!

It was so awesome to hear your mommy’s excitement about hearing your heartbeat.  I can’t wait for next week when I get to see you for the first time!  You are already bringing your mommy and I such joy.  I love you.

3 things to keep in mind as you get stronger and stronger:

- U of A still sucks and we will always hate them, no matter if they are better than ASU
- Keep sucking your right thumb so your left arm gets stronger; your left arm needs to be focused so that you can drain 3 pointers with that pure lefty stroke!
- If you’re a boy, you don’t have to wash your hands every time you go to the bathroom; if you’re a girl, you have to wash your hands every time!

Love,
Daddy

Letter #7 - From Daddy to Shplinky...Merry Christmas

Dear Shplinky,

This letter will be short, but hopefully you’ll like it:

So, it’s Christmas Eve, 2010.  I am sitting in your Great Grandparents’ cabin with all your family.  We’ve just been hanging out, eating, laughing, and being family.  Every memory that has been made, I’ve thought about you.  Next year, YOU will have your first Christmas.  You will have your first encounters with ALL the family.  You will be passed around to everyone, hopefully not crying…but smiling, laughing, and making everyone go “Awwwww!”  

One thing that I want to tell you though…this weekend was the first time I got to hang out with your cousin Braelyn.  She is 6 weeks old.  She has bright blue eyes.  She cries really loud.  When I hold her, she laughs and smiles.  She is going to be your best buddy!  You guys will be in the same grade.  You guys will go through the same things at nearly the same time!  This brings up something that is very important.  Shplinky, God’s word speaks very clearly about friendships.  It talks very clearly about who you surround yourself with.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 13:20

Who you hang out with, Shplinky, doesn’t make you who you are.  It isn’t the people you hang out with that make you do good or bad things.  That comes from what’s in your heart.  Yet, the Bible gives you, me, incredible insight on how to make life a lot more enjoyable and easier.  Surround yourself with people who push you to the Gospel; who push you to the grace of God; who push you to what’s true; who push you to do the right thing.  Make your closest friends those who will speak into your life, even if it means they will tell you what you don’t want to hear.

You and Braelyn are going to be best friends…my prayer is that you and her will spur each other on to Christ.  That you and her will be able to share how the Gospel has and is changing your life.  If you commit to having a friendship like that, you will be blessed.

A few things that you need to know about Christmas (mommy is gonna kill me…you might not even be allowed to read this letter until you’re older):

1. You will know why we celebrate Christmas…from your first Christmas till you leave our house

2. You will always be allowed to wake mommy and daddy up Christmas morning

3. You will get a huge, electric Jeep (cause I never got one as a kid, and they’re totally AWESOME)

4. You won’t have to wear SUPER nice dress clothes when we go to a Christmas Eve service…after the age of 10

Oh ya…and there’s no such thing as Santa Clause…he’s not real – I’ll tell you about the story of the REAL St. Nick!

Merry Christmas, Shplinky!  Next year will be your first…and our first as a family!  I love you.

Daddy

Letter # 6 Daddy's experience with his Daddy - to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky

Well, this week is kind of a monumental week for you!  In the womb, you developed your voice!  It is said that you actually might start crying silently.  I don’t know why you would cry, but it has brought up a thought in my mind.  How am I going to handle when you go through pain?

You know, it would be super awesome if you were a child that was perfect in heart, wonderfully mannered, and completely obedient.  It would be SO awesome if you loved God with all your heart 100% of the time and were the “angel” child.  But, God’s word is very clear that you are already a sinner.  You already have sin in you and because of that, you will not be perfect.  In fact, you are going to make some wrong decisions.  Those wrong decisions are going to cause you pain, and in turn, cause your mommy and I pain.

I think back to when I was not walking well with the Lord.  I was 18 and sitting at a coffee shop with my dad.  My dad has just brought a HUGE sin to my attention.  I could see the pain in his eyes as he asked me what was going on in my heart.  I saw the look of fear in his eyes as he knew that his I was heading towards destruction.  I saw the helplessness mixed with hope in his eyes as he realized that he could no longer “control” me and my decisions, but had to completely rely on God’s grace to bring me to repentance.  All this I saw…and it didn’t even phase me.  I wasn’t hurt by my decisions (well, I thought I wasn’t).  I wasn’t humbled by my sin.  I certainly didn’t give a crap about my dad’s care for me just because I had “messed up.”  I felt no pain or hurt seeing my dad like that.

Then my dad said something that rocked my world forever.  With tears in his eyes he looked at me and said, “Ryan, no matter how far you fall and no matter how deep your sin is, if you go down, I’m going down with you…fighting all the way.”  I nearly lost it.  Everything inside me broke.  I stood up and walked away.  Got in my car, drove 3 blocks to a park, and cried my heart out.  I saw, for the first time, how my sin not only hurt me, but how it hurt someone who loved me.

Shplinky, I want you to know.  No matter what you go through.  No matter what happens.  I will be here.  If you go down, I’m going down with you…fighting all the way!  Even if you don’t feel the pain of your sin, even if you aren’t convicted and moved to repentance, I will always care for you, love you, and be there for you, no matter how deep your sin is…why?  Because God has shown me that kind of love!

On a lighter note, your mommy seems to be pretty convinced that you are a girl.  I’m not totally sold.  We get to find out, hopefully, in about 2 weeks!  It’s kind of fun guessing what gender you are.  It’s fun to dream about what life will be like with a daughter or a son.  My mind races with so many thoughts on what we will get to do.  What we will get to experience is going to be so amazing!  If you are a girl, I hope you turn out like your mommy.  I hope you have her heart, her demeanor, and her looks.  If you are a boy, I hope you turn out like your PopPop (grandpa).  I hope you have his heart, his humility, and his passion for God!

A few things now to think about while you’re hangin out with mommy:

1.        Can you start moving?  It’s never too early to start exercising. (Secretly, I just want to feel you move).

2.       Please start telling Mommy exactly what you want to eat.  She is always confused about what she wants for food.  If you want pizza, tell her.  If you want hot dogs, tell her.  Please don’t ask for gross things like fish, cottage cheese, or pickles.  Thanks.

3.       Still keep using that left hand for everything.  You can start sucking on your thumb (the pregnancy timeline said you might be doing that right now), but make sure you suck your right thumb, so that left hand is free to develop!

I want you to come out now, but I know you still have LOTS to develop.  Your Mommy is already showing that you are in there; you’re getting so big!  Keep hangin in there!  Keep hating country music!

Love,

Your Daddy

Letter # 5 - Letter to Shplinky from Daddy (the talk)

Dear Shplinky,

Well, Thanksgiving weekend has passed.  It was super great.  Your mommy and I were able to relax, catch up on sleep, shop (3 ½ hours), watch a couple movies, and hang out with friends and family.  I kept thinking how awesome it’s going to be that next thanksgiving will be your first.  You will be about 4 months old!  I didn’t get to play football this year, which marks the first year in awhile that I didn’t do that on Thanksgiving.  So, next year…you and me – we’re gonna play ok?  I’ll give you a 100 billion-point lead to make it fair, ok?  But only next year…every year after that, you and me…living room…Lambros Arena Cushion Football…it’s on!

So, we need to have a talk.  It’s that special talk.  You know…father to son…or father to daughter.  It’s that talk that nobody likes to have with their kid.  It’s awkward.  It’s “emotional.”  Nobody knows the “right” time to talk about it.  Yet, I think there is never a time too early to bring this up.  You ready?  Are you sitting still?  I mean, floating still?

UofA is the worst school out of every school known to mankind.  As a Lambros, you will NOT like UofA…anything UofA.  You will have a special hatred of UofA.  UofA will be viewed upon on a similar level as sin.  God hates UofA.  You will stay away from UofA.  You will not wear any item of apparel from UofA.  I don’t care if you go to USC even (and that’s saying a lot because I don’t like them either)…just not UofA. 

Whew…ok.  Glad we got that out of the way.  Again, I’m sorry if that was awkward for you.  It might have been too early, but at 10 weeks, I think that talk was appropriate.

Ok, so seriously, Shplinky.  Right now you are growing the parts of your body that “determine” your gender.  How cool is THAT?!  Thus, this has brought up something that I was talking to your mommy about. 

If you develop into a boy: I will teach you what it means to be a man of God.  I will teach you Biblical manhood.  I can’t wait to teach you to open doors for ladies and how to treat women.  You will get to practice on your mommy.  You will go on mommy/son dates and you will open the door for her, you will lead conversation, and you will pay for her Starbucks drink (I will give you money and you will drink a hot chocolate).

If you develop into a girl: I will teach you that your value isn’t dependant on anything or anyone except your heavenly Father.  Your identity will be God’s Princess.  I will teach you to not settle; to have your standards high for the man for you.  I will teach you how to be a lady, but also how to run with the boys!  I will let you dress in pink and be all girly…but you will NOT paint my nails.  I will teach you how to let boys lead and how to honor God with modesty.

Either way, boy or girl, I’m excited for you.  It’s going to be so much fun!

Your loving waiting father,

Daddy    

Letter # 4 - from Daddy to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky,

What’s up?!  Man, this past week has flown by!  You’re growing continually and it gets me super excited.  You are the size of a quarter…a QUARTER!  You’re huge!  Your heart is fully developed!  It’s beating and fully developed.  This makes me sit here and marvel and wonder: I get the incredible responsibility of caring for your heart.  I have been given the responsibility to guard your heart.  I have been given the responsibility to train your heart.  This is so exciting!

Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (ESV).  Shplinky, I have been wrestling with this passage for a couple weeks.  I want so bad for you to do what is right, to love God, and to make the right choices.  I also don’t want to be overbearing on you. 

The coolest thing I have been praying about has been this commitment I am making to you: I will always care for you and train you in the way you should go, but always encourage you.  What am I going to encourage you with?  God’s Word; God’s grace; and God’s love.  You are going to make mistakes.  I am going to make mistakes.  But make no mistake about it, I will ALWAYS try my hardest to encourage you, through the good times and hard! 

People have asked me how I am going to handle when you make a mistake…even if you make a BIG mistake.  Although it might be hard and I might not respond in the right way every time, you will never question or be in doubt that I love you.  You will always know that you are loved, no matter what you do. 

Your mommy has been getting sick recently.  I pray every day that you calm your happy butt down and let mommy be pregnant in peace.  I know you want to come out soon to meet us, but seriously, give your mommy a break!  Also, her emotions have been all crazy!  She’s been a little spacey too.  You know what’s funny, I think it’s hilarious!  Sure, it’s way different and it’s weird getting used to, but I love it!  It’s a side of mommy I’ve never seen.  Lastly, she has started some food cravings.  Honestly, I feel bad for you.  She is going to crave some weird things…and that goes directly to you.  Bummer…just a bummer.

So, I have a few questions for you.  If could think of the answers and stick to them when you come out that would be great.  First, are you going to be crazy-outgoing like me and your Poppa Lambros, or are you going to be more reserved and quiet?  Are you going to be left-handed or right?  Are you going to cry a lot?  Are you going to want more siblings?  Are you going to come running up to me when I get home from work?  Are you going to be ugly when you come out?  If you could have these answers figured out and stick to them that would be awesome.  You have about 7 months to figure it out, so take your time.  But don’t procrastinate until the end.

A few things to be thinking about:

1.       I will be changing your diapers when I am with you, so please do your nasty business while I’m not there…it will be great bonding time for you and mommy.

2.       If you are a girl, I won’t be able to stop mommy from decorating you…I’m sorry.  It’s just gonna happen.

3.       If you are a boy, you will act like a boy.  I will let you run around the house naked, pee in the backyard (only at our house), and have toy guns.  You will also open the door for your mommy and never be afraid to kiss your mommy on the lips.

I’m counting down the weeks.  We’re almost ¼ of the way there!  I love you!

Daddy

Letter # 3 - from Daddy to Shplinky (introducing Mommy)

Shplinky,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot today.  I really, really want you to come out soon.  I know it’s going to be another 7 months or so, but I wish it were right now!  I can’t wait to hold you in my arms and watch you.  I think for the first couple weeks I’m going to have such a blast watching you; your expressions; your laughs; your cries; your frustrated face; your hungry face; your poop face (which I will video tape).  I’m excited to lose sleep over you.  I’ve already got a list of video games I’m going to master while I stay up with you.  It’s going to be good times!

So, you’ve probably been wondering, while you’re in there, what your family is going to be like.  So, let me take these next few letters to tell you about your family.  Starting off with your mommy:

Your mommy has an amazing story.  God has been watching over her life in incredible ways.  I’ll let her tell you her remarkable story of redemption and grace…it’s amazing!  The first thing you should know about your mom though, is that she loves you the most (second to me ;).  She is the most loving person you will ever meet.  She never sees the wrong in somebody (at first).  She has the biggest heart you will ever see!  She cares for people.  She serves people.  She takes interest in people.  It’s incredible to see, and even more incredible to be a part of. 

The second thing you need to know about your mommy, is that she loves your daddy with unconditional love.  Your daddy is a broken, busted up dude, but your mommy loves him no matter what.  She serves him every day.  She listens to him.  She cares for him.  Her heart breaks when his heart breaks.  She gets excited for what excites him.  She always supports him.  She submits to him Biblically…not in value but in role. 

The third thing you need to know about mommy, is that she loves Jesus with all her heart.  She is not perfect by any means.  She makes mistakes.  She sins.  Yet, her love for her Savior flows from a heart that has been completely changed by God.  It is contagious.  It is evident.  It is the best!

A couple other things you need to know: 1) she loves country music (don’t worry, I’ll make sure she doesn’t force you to listen to that crap) 2) she is a veggie FREAK…so just prepare yourself 3) she can’t stand boogers …so I will be cleaning your snot for you…and if you could make sure you don’t sneeze all over her, that would be great!

So, your heartbeat right now is about 150 beats a minute…which is awesome.  You are going to have a strong heart…physically and spiritually.

You are growing super fast (in baby time).  You are going to grow for many years to come…physically and spiritually.

Shplinky…I’m so stinkin’ excited for you.  I can’t wait to see a picture of you soon!

A few things to be thinking about:

1.       Start thinking peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…your dad loves them…and wants to have lots of them with you

2.       Continue to tell your mommy that her boy names for you are horrible. 

3.       Start thinking which sport you want to focus on…baseball, basketball, football, soccer…etc.

4.       The Phoenix Suns aren’t doing too good right now…but they’re still our team!

Love you Shplinky!

Your Dad