9

Elijah,

Wow! How did we get here so fast? Half your childhood is over and I wish I could go back and relive it all. 

You are loving 3rd grade so far and it's been fairly easy which makes me happy too :) You got in TAG (Talented and Gifted) this year and have enjoyed it too, even though it's hard sometimes. You still love to read and the science kit you got for Easter was definitely your favorite gift.  You still say you want to be a vet when you grow up but sometimes you mention soldier and football player as well.

You love soccer and have scored several goals this season.  You say you want to play baseball instead of basketball and you're still doing Boy Scouts but have already said you don't think you want to continue.

For your birthday this year we are taking David Brooks and Ellis Averett to Launch Trampoline Park in Prattville.  You love beyblades and pokemon above everything else currently.

When it comes to food, you like chicken the most.  Especially chicken quesadillas, especially the ones from Cook Out and Chipotle. 

You are the perfect mixture of sweet and mischievous and you have taught me so much! You like to help so much that you get upset when we ask you not to but you still complain about doing your chores.

This time next year I'll be writing your 10th birthday post.  That seems so grown to me and I really can't believe it's only a year away. 

I pray God will continue to bless you with good health, good friends and a good heart. I love you so much sweet boy!

-Mom

Eleven Whole Years

Eleven whole years have passed in a blink. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm struggling this week.  I miss you so, so very much. I know I was blessed to have the time I had with you and to have your brother and sister in my life now, but I'm not feeling very blessed right now.

So many days I find it easy to remember the good things.  The days you were tucked safely inside of me, the days I held you or just held your tiny hand, the days you sucked your paci, the little noises I got to hear you make. 

But right now all I can seem to think about is the things I missed.  Nursing you, teaching you to walk and talk, learning about your favorite things, seeing you go to school, watching you interact with your brother and sister.  I wish I could see it all.

I find myself wishing once again that we were celebrating your birthday with you.  That we were having your favorite dessert instead of cake with an icing color your brother and sister will likely fight over.  I wish I could spend time in your bed talking about all the fun things we've done while you've been 10 like I do with Eli and Emily.

I know I should take comfort in the time we had and in knowing that you are in a place free of pain and sorrow.  But it's not happening this week.  Hopefully next week I'll go back to that place where I don't feel sad all the time.  Where I feel your presence instead of a huge gaping hole in my heart. Maybe next week I'll have a smile for your birthday but for now it's just tears. And as always, all my love, hopefully that's enough.

Love,
Mommy

Six

Emily,

I’m a day late for your birthday post this year.  It makes me sad to be late but it’s been a crazy year and at least I’m posting now. What a year it’s been! You started Kindergarten and absolutely love Mrs. Davis and all your new friends.

You love drawing, painting and all things arts and crafts and have decided you want to be an art teacher, which completely fits your personality at the moment.

You told me last week that you’re going to marry Jonah Lauer.  You also told me that you told him he couldn’t go under your dress, something you’ve seen people do on AFV 🤣

You have grown so much, even did a perfect cartwheel on your birthday and you also did your first standing back end this month. But at the same time, you’re scared of the flash of light from an eye exam and all kinds of silly little things.  And you still have a dramatic side!

You love unicorns, rainbows and Jojo Siwa, chicken nuggets, French fries and just about any dessert.

I pray this year is even better than the last and that you always know how much I love you!

-Mommy