Happy birthday Will

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY SON! I love you so much my Will Will. I can't write an exhaustive list because there's so many things I love about you and being your mom but here's a few of my favorite nuances about my four-year-old Will: I love that you...

• have a heart for God
• love your little sister
• offer to help wash dishes because you really want to play in the soapy water
• ask for a bath just because you want to play with your guys in the water (as long as they don't have batteries, of course, which you always ask)
• after going to the dentist, you became VERY interested in caring for your teeth
• say turkey samich
• tell me you love me bery much
• tell stories about sharks under a bridge eating you in a bad dream
• always try to find a way to get to McDonald's (even though I don't like eating there or feeding you that food)
• love going out to eat
• enjoy having company and love visiting family
• challenge me as a mother and person EVERY day
• have such an imagination and creative spirit- always telling stories and playing little pretend scenarios with your toys
• call Joshua your brother and friend
• love to dance
• can entertain yourself with a toothpick and packet of sugar
• sometimes come downstairs after we've put to you bed (and you think you're sneaky) to tell me we had a big day, which is of course just an excuse to get out of bed. But I rather enjoy these little late night talks
• I love when you give me a give me a big hug just because you want to
• say amen after singing the ABC's
• are my son

4 years ago I was cuddling you in my arms and enjoying the sweet smell of your new baby skin, your sweet baby breath and your cuddly tinyness. You were so precious and handsome and little...so my nicknames for you were pretty obvious: precious (which turned into presh) handsome and little man or a combination of all three. It feels like yesterday but with the blink of an eye you're my four-year-old big boy now! You told me yesterday you didn't want to be four, you wanted to stay little and my sentiments are the same. I know growing up is all a part of life, but three sounds like a little boy and four just sounds so big. Still, I'm glad you're healthy, strong and a growing little man. So four years ago it was just me and you....daddy was still sleeping and now you have a mommy and daddy who love you and a little sister who just adores you to pieces.

Your 4th birthday
Today was cold and rainy, yuck. But your last three birthdays have been sunny and warm, especially for December so we've been fortunate. The weather, however, did not dampen your spirits and you got over not wanting your birthday real quick. You started your day sleeping in which is rare for you, then we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast -- you call it pancake place-- and stopped by Granny & Paw Paw's and G took you to see The Muppets at the movie theatre. When you returned to Grandma's we had your presents ready to open then you blew out a candle on your very own oversized cupcake.

You played with your toys for a little while then we packed up for your Poppa & Omi's for a birthday and Christmas celebration. We started with your birthday-- a set of cupcakes and another candle to blow out and even more presents! What a lucky boy to have two birthday celebrations in one day, and we haven't had your party yet. Just like last year, we decided to have your party on a different day but didn't want your day of birth to go unnoticed. This year, though, we decided to simplify things and have your party in January; I hate it for you, but it's a tough time of year to plan a party. Then Poppa & Omi wanted to do something for you as well, so you got two celebrations already!

Happy 4th birthday little man! I love you bunches and am so grateful to have spent four wonderful years with you. I pray for many, many, many more!!