Dalan

I said that I'd like to write about the good qualities of my children, so I'll just go in birth order, which makes Dalan next.

When I was pregnant with Dalan, I got the feeling that he was very strong-willed and had great potential to be a force for good, but that I would need to teach him the right things and it may be difficult. That premonition has definitely been seen to be true. He is extremely determined and strong-minded. But, I have also seen him forgive others quickly, treat a young child with kindness and gentleness, and he always apologizes sincerely (after he calms down and realizes he hurt someone's feelings).

Dalan has a very quick mind and loves to learn. When Kydee was in kindergarten and learning to read 'word families,' like cat, bat, rat, hat...he caught on faster than she did and he learned to read right along with her. Part of that was because he didn't want Kydee to be able to do something that he couldn't. He was the same way with riding a bike without training wheels. We taught Kydee to ride a two-wheel bicycle and a couple of months later, Dalan was training-wheel-free, too.

Dalan has a very adventurous spirit and loves to try new things, especially if those things involve trying to defy gravity, test the limits of his digestion, or gross his sisters out. Luckily, all of our trips to the emergency room have always ended without stitches, casts, or staples. He has had to have an IV for the time he drank 3/4 of a bottle of children's cold medicine, but he got to watch cartoons for 4 hours while I kept an eye on him in the ER, so I don't think he minded it too much.

Dalan, I love you and know that you have great potential! If you keep learning from your mistakes and follow the good examples around you, I know that you'll be a good influence in the world.