Our granddaughter, Athena Petersen became our granddaughter when she married our grandson, Josh Petersen. They are boy parents, and while they would have like to have a daughter, God had other plans for them, and they love each of their 3½ boys, with their 4th due in early March. Their boys adore their parents and keep them hopping with all their energy. As each new boy has arrived, Athena and Josh have fallen in love with their little sweeties, as have we. Their house is fille with the rough housing play that boys always bring, and yet there is a sweetness as the older boys try to help with the little ones. I can picture a future of forts in the back yard, water gun fights, wrestling, skinned knees, and little boys needing hugs…but then that has already started. I can also picture those big boys, picking on their outnumbered mom, right before they give her a big hug that melts her heart. Boys have a way of winning their mother’s heart.
Athena came from a larger family, as I did, and we both know the comradery that can only come from being surrounded by many siblings. You just always know that your siblings are there for you, even as you are fighting with them. While they may fight with you, nobody else had better, because siblings will vehemently protect their fellow siblings. It is usually one of the perks of being in a big family. Athena was blessed with five siblings, Ray, Larissa, Jillian, Jacob, and Andrew, and she is very close with all of them. Of course, they all pick on each other, but that is all part of growing up with siblings, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Athena and Josh are so perfect for each other. Theirs is a match made in Heaven, and they both keep God at the head of their union. It is a sweet thing to watch as their love for each other grows right along with their 
love of God. Athena and Josh are strong, moral people who are raising their boys to be gentlemen, and that is a rarity in this day and age. The boys are young, but the way kids are raised will determine the kind of people they will be later. Athena and Josh are great parents, and their boys love them very much. They love getting the boys out to do things, like going to the park. Being a parent is a big responsibility and it’s a lot of work, and while it can be exhausting, it is also very rewarding. They are very blessed. Today is Athena’s birthday. Happy birthday Athena!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Leave a Reply