Happy Birthday, Dear Son!

To my dear, sweet boy,

I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that you have been my favorite boy for two whole years! Where has the time gone? Oh yes, I remember. It went into those late night meetings between you and I for some milk (for you) and a cuddle (for both of us.) It went into me watching you bounce, bounce, bounce in your bouncy/swing/contraption thing until you fell asleep. It went into diaper changes and pureed meals and cuddles in the baby carrier. It went into so many good memories.

But, what am I saying? Son, you are no longer a baby! You are now my big boy, and you can do many, many things. I love to watch you run and jump and CLIMB and talk and just be. a. boy. You love everything: firefighters/trucks/extinguishers (or "woo-woos" as you call all of them), trains, Curious George, toy cars and tractors, sidewalk chalk and your tricycle. You can dig in the sand and swing on the swing and be just as content as you could be. You are quite a happy guy!

You are blessed, too. Unlike your sister, you have had a best friend (who is your sister) around you since you were born. And, you love her so very much, and she loves you. To watch you play together melts my heart. Sure you have some disagreements, but you, even at 2 years old, you never hesitate to say, "Sah-ree" when you were wrong, to share your favorite toys, to love unconditionally.

My dear son, I am so blessed the Lord gave me you. In you, I see so many things I want to be. Your heart is sweet and full of tremendous love that you never hold back and always want to give away. Your kindness is tangible, your thoughtfulness, years beyond your age. Oh, and your prayers? My goodness, to even write them here brings tears. The most precious moments I spend with you are when it's my turn to put you to bed. After a story, we turn off the lights, turn on your music and sit in the chair in your room. As you are sitting on my lap, you say "Pay Gace? Pay Daddy? Pay Mommy? Pay Papa?," and we proceed to "pay" (pray) for everyone in our family as, I believe, the Lord brings them to your mind. What a precious, tender heart you have, my son. It humbles me.

I love you so very much. I am so very excited to see what the Lord will do in your life with your love, kindness, and tender heart for others, but I am also anticipating how He will change me through you. In you, He created a gift for me and for Daddy and for your sister and everyone else whose lives you touch, and I am so, so thankful that I am your Mommy so that I can witness it all. Happy Birthday, son, and may this next year be full of blessings, discoveries, fun, and love for you, my favorite boy.

Love,
Mommy