“It’s a boy.”

I’ve had several moments in my life that were defining–times when the emotion I felt in a particular instant was one I had never experienced before nor have I ever experienced since.

One of those moments took place in 2007 when an ultrasound technician told me that the baby I was carrying was a little boy.

I can’t begin to describe the joy of that moment. I had two precious little girls and would have been thrilled with a third, but those words, “It’s a boy,” were miraculous to me.

From that day, I began to pray that my baby boy would grow up to be a leader, a mighty man of God, a difference maker for Heaven. He was born on Presidents Day 2008–a day for leaders.

That little boy turns four today.

He is an absolute joy in my life. He is funny, respectful, kind-hearted. He loves to gives me hugs and kisses and tells me I’m his “best priend.” He wakes up with a smile and goes to bed the same. He prays the same sweet prayer for every occasion (bedtime, mealtime, random times): “Dear Jesus, ‘Sank you for dis day. ‘Sank you for wuving me. ‘Sank you for my mommy and daddy. ‘Sank you for my sisters. ‘Sank you for dying on da cross. Amen. Amen.” He is obedient and fun and absolutely the cutest little guy I have ever seen.

My life has never been the same since I heard those words, “It’s a boy.”

It’s sort of a tradition for me to wake him up with the happy birthday song. Here he was on the morning he turned two.

And here he is today.

He is the cause for much joy in our lives. We couldn’t be more grateful for or proud of this little boy.

Happy happy birthday, Jeb Sullivan.

I can’t wait to see the leader you will become. I have a feeling you’re going to make my highest hopes seem so small.