Happy EIGHTH Birthday Flynn

Dearest Eight-Year Old Flynn,

What a year for you... you have changed so much.
While you still shy away from most adults who greet you, your giggling with your friends has gotten louder & your silliness...even sillier.
You've lost seven teeth so far & are about to leave toddler sizes (finally) in your shoes. Your hair is still bobbed short & your long skinny legs are constantly dancing your petite little frame around the house.
Second grade seems to be the most exciting yet. You seem to excel at writing & your creativity is one of your best assets.

You cartwheel, flip, & walkover all our furniture. Your feet will land on anything & anyone & your brother's head seems to be a part of all your stunts.Your year brought you lots of fun & adventure...

• Your Wolf-brother chased you (Lil Red Ridinghood) all the way to Grandmother's, for trick or treating fun.
• We rode roller-coaster after roller-coaster at Silver Dollar City.
• We enjoyed our first Christmas in a new house.
• Your second grade choir sang at Busch Stadium at the seventh inning stretch of a Cards' game.
• You tried a season of softball... and soccer... and still, dance.
  

Your '2nd annual' LemonAID stand helped a tornado-touched family. You donated 11 toys to the TOYS FOR TOTS. Your heart is bigger than your 40-something pound frame.

Just when I think I couldn't be more proud of you, you melt my heart even more.

I pray that your ninth year of life brings you more learning, more love, & God's light.

With a love you won't understand for many more years,

Momma

xoxo

Happy 6th Birthday Gabe

Dear Bubby,
Wow, I never thought the day would get here when I would wish my little Buddy a SIXTH birthday wish.
There's very little part of you that's 'baby' & that makes your momma pretty sad. It helps though that you love me so much & show so much love to me. Makes it easier that you are so sweet & thoughtful...it seems like you will never be a tough guy.
This year you left your preschool life & began your school career as a kindergartner. You started that path of life with an over sized backpack & a new pair of shoes. You uncertainty was matched by mine & I couldn't believe that my baby left every shred of babyhood behind.
This year you had many firsts...

• baseball - you were a part of the "Blue Jays" & you did more dancing than anything but ended the season as a boy of summer
• gaming - that ds we bought you Santa brought you, was just the beginning in your addiction. sheesh.
• Branson's "Silver Dollar City" & the many coasters it boasts - it was worth each of the four over-priced tickets we bought, to see you raise those tiny hands of yours & yell, "Woo Hoo".

You enjoyed Halloween as a Chef. You got to know your neighbor & count him as a friend. You cried less at preschool & church. And you picked out fish as your one & only pets.
You learned the sign language for "I Love You" & never let me leave (not even for the grocery store or a stroll around the block) without pressing that sign against my mirrored hand.

My wishes for your sixth year include a confidence in yourself, but God first. I pray for you to grow more self-sufficient but never lose your attachment for Daddy, Flynn, & me. I hope you keep your sweet nature, even as you grow in your adolescence. And as you grow your faith & learn more about Who created you, it's my hope that you take the paths God has set before you in your tiny life.

God keep you safe. God keep you healthy. God bless you my baby boy.

With a love that you won't understand for a really long time.
Love,
Momma

Happy SEVENTH Birthday to my Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,

(who is not anywhere close to being a baby anymore but I don't care)

Today you turn seven.

I don't know if it's because you're not all that old, or if it's just sentiment, but I remember every conscious detail of the day you were born.

I remember packing a quick bag, getting the dog's stuff together, getting wheeled onto the labor & delivery floor and those really fast moving moments where we found out we'd be meeting you a whole lot sooner than we'd planned.

I also tearfully remember that next day when I had to kiss you good bye while you took an ambulance to a hospital in the city.

I remember making a promise to myself that I wouldn't have to tell you good bye again.

I remember your first Christmas... your first steps.... your first day of preschool... your first day of school...

I remember the first time you slept in a big girl bed & how little you looked.

I remember staring at your eye lashes & thinking they were so long brushing your chunky baby cheeks.

I remember the morning you told me that you wanted Jesus to live in your heart & how you wanted to be His friend.

This year you took on first grade & could add that to the long list of things you do well. And violin. And making your bed.

You enjoyed the beach again this past year & had your very first sleepover.

You raised money in your very own lemonade stand. Instead of keeping the money for yourself, you bought school supplies for kids who didn't have any. And never gave that a second thought.

You chose the color lavendar for the walls of your room in our brand new house.

Your training wheels came off your bike this past year & your "boyfriend" from last year became 'just' your "friend".

Sissy, you are such a special girl...with your curious quiet ways, your deep thought, your kind heart & mind full of questions.

You amaze me with your ideas & your selective sillyness & your hot-cold love for your little brother.

I pray this year brings you health and a heart full of love.

Love you to the moon & back again, five bajillion times.

Love,

Momma

Happy 6th Birthday to My Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,

You're six today & wow, what a milestone. You've officially-officially left toddlerhood, preschoolhood, & are well on your way to being a "big kid". This leaves your Momma with mixed feelings.

Six. It's so far away from being a baby. You need me less... let go of my hand sooner... call my name less...

And I know that now you're closer to 13...and 16...

that you're closer to being a graduate, or a wife, or a momma yourself.

But before I make it seem like I'm sad, here are the things that have happened this year that put a smile on all of our faces:

You mastered skipping. It started in dance class & was conquered in every parking lot we crossed.

You saw Disney World for the first time, met the princesses, & joined the many others who call it 'The Happiest Place on Earth'.

You started Kindergarten. It's your new favorite place & your 2nd home has introduced you to many new friends & new ways to learn.

You learned to whistle. And what a whistler you are. You seranade us on every car journey.

And...

you turned SIX. And like every birthday before, this special day makes me remember this special day years ago. The year you taught Daddy & I how to love a different kind of love.

And for that Baby Girl, we are forever grateful.

With a love that you won't understand for lots of years,

Your Momma

Happy 4th Birthday, Gabe

My Baby Boy, the morning after you joined our family, 2009

Dear Gabriel,

Where do I begin? Except to tell you that if nothing else, you've taught me the lesson that time goes by far too quickly.


There hasn't been a milestone of yours that stayed long enough... there hasn't been a stage that you went through that lasted as long as I wanted it to.


You've proven that your Momma is mushy & that I'm actually a real softy.


And there are lots of reasons you've stolen all our hearts....





You still love Spiderman & have already claimed it as your Halloween costume.


You love cars & all things with wheels.


You have a penchant for tools.


You love your Momma.





You hate day care. You actually already "dropped out."


You don't like being away from your Momma.


You dislike being petted on uninvited.


And don't ever want to get your hair cut.


You just finished with speech therapy & went from 2 word sentences to us not getting a word in edgewise.


You love your sissy & hit her in the same breath.





You absolutely love church. If you think we're headed there, but aren't, it brings tears to your eyes.





And boy, are you handsome. Everyone who sees you & your Daddy, know exactly where you get your good looks. You tower over the others your age but can't keep your pants up with that skinny waist.





You have your Momma's sweet tooth & are the recipient of everyone's sneaky chocolate-giving.





You have my heart. You always will. And you make me proud every morning when you stumble out of bed & my heart bursts.





And if my love keeps growing with every year, I better have an ocean-full.





Happy 4th Birthday, to my Baby Boy,


Love,


Your Momma

Gabe, July '09, Not too sure about this posing-with-princesses thing

Happy 5th Birthday Flynn

minutes old

November 19, 2003, the day you made me a momma

5 months old

Your first Easter, 2004

14 mos old

Daddy's birthday, your 2nd January, 2005

17 mos old

Your 2nd Easter (& a few short mos before becoming a big sis), 2005

2 years old

playing doctor

2 1/2 years

4th of July 3 1/2 years
on vacation at the beach

4 1/2 years

first time on the west coast

Dearest Flynn,

I can't believe this day has come. When you were tiny, I used to think about this day & how 'five' was so big & how far off in the distance this birthday was.

Well, it's not far off in the distance now. It's here. And I can't believe how fast it got here.

I'm probably more emotional than I should be about this particular birthday; but to me it means the end of anything-baby, it's the official end to your preschoolhood (even though you are still in preschool) as five typically means the beginning of school. (don't even get me started on that, I don't have enough tissue for that)

You could not be more of what I wanted & hoped in a daughter. Really. You are so smart. Incredibly clever. With your big dark eyes & matching lashes. You don't seem to care what anyone thinks about your ideas & the things you want. You think outside the box. The movies you ask for, the things you want to do in your spare time, they aren't typical for little 5-year old girls....and I like that.

You have faith that can move mountains. You ask questions that I would need a theology degree to answer. A couple of months ago, you asked who was bigger, 'God or Jesus?'. You regularly pray that God would heal you of your allergy, and I know that in His timing, He will honor that.

Your latest obsession is babies. If you spy one, you say, "Ohh!!!!" You love to hold them & rub their hair & help take care of them. It makes Daddy & I question our timing of having your baby brother when you were still a baby (far before this love of baby stage).

You have a deep love for your family, particularly your cousins. Your normal sibling rivalry always makes way to wanting to please Bubby. Recently when we were having lunch with friends, you gave Bubs your seat after he cried five minutes to sit where you were sitting.

You have great friends. Lots of them. And grow close to each friend you have.

When asked what your profession will be as an adult, you still consistently waiver between "a doctor" & "a firefighter". And with the strong traits you have, I believe either of those could be a reality.

This year, you traveled further than you ever had. To California! And you experienced a plane ride for the very first time. You also learned what it means to miss someone & ask about your girl cousins across the country, at least once each day.

You just changed preschools. This would be traumatic for lots of kids, but not you. You kept with your go-with-the-flow attitude. You love the new place, especially being in a class with your best friend Madelyn.

You love church. On Saturday nights, when we're laying clothes out for the next day, you & Gabe squeal, "church tomorrow! church tomorrow!" You love your teacher who always makes sure the snack is a safe (& fun!) one. You spend quite a lot of time there at church as we're one of the first ones there & one of the last ones to leave. But it seems like no prob to you & Bubs who make it pure play just going up & down the long halls.

Nine months ago, you asked me how babies are made. I was dumbfounded & completely not ready for such a question for sure. And my quick (& untelling) answers weren't enough for you, you kept wanting the truth & more of it.

One thing I can really appreciate at this point in our lives is what a 'good' girl you are. I ask it & you do it. You rarely ask twice. Being around so many other kiddos, I see what a comodity your obedience is. Thank you!

You are loved everywhere you go. And especially here at home.

When you came into this world, I thought my heart would burst with love. And nothing has changed...

except,

there's even more of it now.

Flynn, I pray blessings on your sixth year of life (fifth birthday starting your sixth year). I pray that your attitude would continue to be positive. That your love for others would be abundant. I pray that you know no sadness this year but if you do, it leaves you a better person. I pray that what you know about God would grow in enormous amounts & that your relationship with Christ would be stronger & stronger. And that you will keep telling other people about Him. I pray that because He's promised us such, that this will be the year that you don't know the fear of dying or becoming sick from what you're given to eat. That this will be the year that your little body is strong & healthy & whole.

I pray that your bright eyes don't lose their twinkle & your pouty lips keep kissing the people you love.

And like I pray every other year, that you don't lose the huge zeal that you have for everything you do. That mundane will never set in & that each thing you do doesn't seem done until you've given it your all.

More importantly that you will know that everything you do makes me & daddy proud. And that you are so special, no matter what.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl....

More love than you will understand for a long long time,

Momma

Happy 3rd Birthday Gabe

The day after your arrival. Waiting to be 'released' from the hospital.

Aug 23 '05

Daddy's favorite boy

Oct '05

Momma's little hat-wearer, winter' 06

Dearest Gabe,

Sissy & Bubby
Easter '06





This was a birthday I knew I'd have a hard time with. Because this year, you officially leave toddlerhood to cross that huge bridge into preschoolhood. And now Momma no longer has a baby... and because of that, I hope you don't mind if I keep babying you. You are my baby afterall.



Struttin' around in your wedding duds

Oct '06

So much has happened in this year of you being two. What stands out the most is that this is the year we saw a drastic development in your speech (thanks to a little intervention). You grew even taller (not much heavier). Your feet & head aren't quite as big as they used to seem - I guess you kind of 'grew into them'.

2nd beach trip

july '07

You recognize most of the letters in the alphabet & every letter's sound. You know all your colors. You know your bedtime prayer. And your favorite song is still TWINKLE, TWINKLE. Your favorite thing right now is SPIDERMAN. You also love trains & cranes, bulldozers, dump trucks. You're not too shabby at kicking around the soccer ball & are very 'rough & tumble' just like a boy your age should be.

2nd bday

aug '07

Much like your sister, you appreciate the arts. Like watching her do her ballet. And joining with her in an art project, painting preferably.

You love getting visitors & watch them leave at the window, complete with seeing their vehicle make its final exit up the subdivision street.



One of your favorite places to go is church. As soon as we round the corner & you see the building (which happens to be a high school), you start shouting, "Church! Church!" This was the year that your class at church became fun for you, rather than a place I left you crying.




You love to dance & act silly. It's already very clear that you have a talent in singing & I've never heard you lose pitch. You sing to be drawn to the guitar & piano.




You have some great friends, like Trey & Owen... you still get excited to see Alex & Baby Aidan, you know Connor & Riley's house when drive by it, and love all of your cousins.




You are nuts about your Grandparents & love to see them. And while I'd be surprised to know you've learned your days of the week, I wouldn't doubt it if you knew exactly when Monday rolls around, as it's your day with Papa.




Your smile is contagious. Your dimple is resistable. And your gravelly laugh can't be forgotten by anyone who has heard it.




My sweet boy, I hope you never change. I hope you never lose your sensitivity that at times drives me crazy. Don't forget the things that Momma & Daddy ("Day") have taught you... that God loves you & wants to be your friend. That you are special & can be anything you want to be.

Even Spiderman.




I love you Gabe & pray special blessings for a wonder-filled, healthy, & joyful year...




Love,

Momma

xoxoxo

Happy 4th Birthday Flynn

To my little girl,





You'll hear me saying this for years to come, because you got stuck with a mushy momma, but FOUR years ago today, you were about to be born. Daddy & I were scared, you were early & we didn't know what to expect. We'd never been through this before & I guess you never feel ready for parenthood.





I will never forget when they told us "it's a girl!". I was worried, would I be a good mommy to a girl? Would I teach you everything you needed to know?


I'm not so good at girly stuff & I joked that if I had a girl, she'd end up like Janet Reno.


Well, you didn't.


Look at you. You're the perfect balance of princess & tomboy. You play soccer but also play dress up. You know more about playing barbies than I do, but you love to get dirty.








You arrived too early when you were born & had to go through quite a lot. You taught me so much while you struggled to breathe at the hospital. You taught Daddy & I to really lean on each other, and more importantly on God.

You taught us how tough you are. You had tubes & needles everywhere. And today, I attribute your toughness to that. You are truly one tough cookie. And it makes my job easier that you don't cry over every boo boo.

Some things you learned your 3rd year of life:

Read some words, write several words, say butt, pump your legs while you swing, some of the positions of ballet, that Bubby really is your best friend...

You also learned to depend on God; and when we had such a scare over the summer & your airway was closing, we talked about trusting God during scary times. You reminded me that He never leaves us.
Those are the things I want you to learn...and always remember.

When you're laying in a hospital bed, with an iv in your arm, & you're scared, and a tear rolls back out of your eye, and you remind ME that God is with us.... that's when I know that Daddy & I, well, we haven't done so bad.

You are the one who made me a Mom. And I never knew life until that happened. It taught me a lot. You taught me a lot. And everyday I learn more. There's no job, no experience that could ever teach the things that parenting you has taught me. You literally made my life change. Some of it is scary, and some not so fun.

But I would do it all over again. And again.

You've been hearing me say it a lot lately... I don't want you to grow up. If I could freeze time I would. I never want to forget your sweet little girl smell, or how excited you are when Daddy gets home, or the admiration you have for your older cousins. Your innocence is priceless, and the zeal you have, oh that zeal, if it could be bottled, would be sold for millions.

I love you Flynn, so much. And my prayer for you this year is love, our love, God's love... and that you know a life without heartache & scariness (I think you know what I'm hinting at here). And if God decides that this is the year you don't deal with your allergy, then wonderful...that's what we hope for. But if He doesn't, then you're still the special little girl whose Mommy is afraid to let her out of her sight. Either way, we know God is with You & will never leave You...and you continue to be a testiment to God's provision.

Happy FOURTH Birthday to my baby girl.

Love,

Momma

How Can My Baby Be Two?

Dear Gabe,

Where have these last two years gone?

I remember the day you were born. . . I was hanging the letters of your name on the wall, and my water broke. You were stubborn back then, and you took 18 hours to arrive.
The night after you were born, you made noises all night long, and I never slept. I just kept getting up to see you.
And I did that for the next 3 months.

We loved you then, your sensitivity, your presence.
And now you're two.

And you definitely know what you want. And you aren't afraid to let everyone know what you like & what you dislike.
You love to play. You love your sissy. But you really love Momma, and everytime I walk out the door, it breaks your heart.
And it breaks my heart when your heart is broken.

I wonder about what the years hold for you. Will you be good at sports? Will you love to read? Will I cry when I take you to kindergarten or when you ask your wife to marry you?
One thing is for sure. I love being your Momma. And I must've done something pretty great to deserve you as my boy.
Happy 2nd Birthday Gabe.

Love,

Momma