Puzzling

The second child gets jipped.
The second child appears in less photos.
The second child gets the hand me down clothing.
The second child rides the bike that is not quite new.

All of these statements may be true to varying degrees. Life is indeed different in a variety of ways for the second of two children in a family. I'm sure many of the statements above will find a place in Evan's life.
Life as a family for Kris and I today looks nothing like it did over 13 years ago when we decided to do life together. Since then, we have learned much about one another and some more about the journey as well. We have also come to realize we have much more to learn yet ahead of us.
Every so often along our way we acquire another puzzle piece to our existence. Some of these pieces come easily, others are gained through much strife and adversity. Some come in the form of advice, some are material possessions. People often play a part in our puzzle. New friends add to our view of life, and help us along the way. Loss and/or failure also aid in thinning out the incorrect pieces of a failed or rushed attempt to finish our puzzle. What so often makes completing life's puzzle so frustrating is that we don't know what the completed work is supposed to look like. There is no perfect picture on a box cover to reference.
One year later now, with Evan in our lives, he has drastically changed what will someday become the completed picture of our life. He has impacted the views and priorities that will define life for us in the future. Our puzzle in now one piece closer to completion with the Evan piece correctly in its place.
Evan, no matter what clothes may be in your drawers, or what pictures are in the frames, we never want you to doubt your place in our lives.
                    This puzzle is clearly missing a piece.

                                   .....There, that's better