Zac

So . . . someone brought it to my attention that I've written about my nephew Braiden and various other family members, but not my nephew Zac.  I could hardly believe it was true . .. . .but it was. So to rectify the situation, let me tell you a little about my nephew Zac. . . the first child I ever loved. 

Zac was born near the end of my first semester of grad school.  I was living in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Marty was still living in Morgantown.   Zac arrived on Nov 16.  That has always been a significant date for me because he shares a birthday with a dear friend of mine I lost in high school.  I was so excited to come home to see Zac, and I got the stomach flu right before I was supposed to come home.  I came home but I could not get near the baby.  Torturous! 

He was so small and cute.  He would be the first grandchild on both sides of the family.  He was adored.  Although I loved him as an infant, he was the funniest toddler.  By this point, Marty and I were married with no kids of our own. We would take him to spend the night with us or go do something fun. The joke was from my brother was that when Aunt Gee took Zac, noone knew when she would return him.  At that point I was working as a speech pathologist in the public schools.  I would tote my "Little People Farmhouse and Zoo" and an arsenal of books home when I knew Zac would be visiting.  (BTW, the picture above is Zac trying to make us laugh at the beach.  My mom, his mom and I were all in beach chairs and he would strike a pose when he would ride in on his board! He is such a character!)

Zac's laughter is contagious.  Always the cut up in our family, he loves to be surrounded by people.  He is usually the one to get the game night rolling or set up some type of tournament.  I was his ladder ball teammate several times at the beach.  And believe me when I tell you, he's in it to win it!

Wow! Time has sure flown since those days of playing "Little People".  Zac is almost fourteen.  I enjoyed our Starbucks runs this beach trip Zac!  It was so much fun to vacation with my nephews this summer (while they still want to hang out with me!)  I cried from Ormond to Flagler on the way home. That's 15 miles of crying! It was hard to see the vacation come to an end.  So many memories . . . and I don't know when we will do it again.  I hope someday we will though. 
 

The oldest of the four grandchildren, Zac has never ever treated my kids like a bother.  That is probably why they adore him.

 

Zac organized this game night---in this competitive family it can get pretty heated, but we still had a blast!

Below are some flashback photos of when Zac was a toddler.  (Sidenote: Apparently I was stuck in ponytail bondage at this stage of my life!)

When I was searching for old pictures I found so many things we did together.  I found pictures of Zac and I making an edible manger scene, making countless crafts, reading countless books, blowing giant bubbles in the yard, gardening, going to parks, etc.

 

Zac you are bright and funny.  You are competitive and talented.  You love Jesus and your family.  I don't know what you will become when you grow up but I know this . . . . you will decide with your heart.  You will give it your all.  You will be passionate about what you do and others will love to be around you.  I know we all do! I'm proud of you Zac.