Happy 9th Birthday, Will!!

Here it comes. Every year. Every year I say, "how are you already ___ years old?!" But it's true and absolutely amazing how quickly the years pass. They say 'the days are long but the years are short' and I'm living it! I don't understand how it's possible, but from one month and year to the next time is just so fleeting. 

And here we are again. Now you're 9 years old Will!!! Nine. 9. Just let that sink in. Your last year to celebrate a single digit birthday. So hard to believe. These celebrations are always bittersweet to me. I'm so incredibly grateful to have you in my life. To celebrate this day. Your day of birth. The day you forever changed my life in such a profoundly amazing and wonderful way. I'm thankful to watch you grow up, to celebrate these 9 wonderful years with you. But I'm nostalgic and sentimental, so it's hard for me to let go of what was. Your baby years are gone, your preschool years are gone and you're well into your elementary years now. I'm grateful for each and every moment shared with you, just wish I could hold onto it. Bottle it up. Hold you a little longer, kiss away your boo boos. But I can't. Time moves on and so must I. 

Last night as an 8 yr old

So I celebrate the boy you are today. My big, loving, imaginative, creative, smart boy with a big heart that he sometimes likes to mask with a cool kid exterior. I love you more with each passing day and am so glad God chose me to be your mom. Of the 7 billion people on this earth, he chose me. Pretty amazing when you think about it. And boy do you challenge me some days. Especially in the midst of homeschooling where I'm your mom and teacher. However, there is no growth without change and that's what you teach me. I love your laugh and your adventurous spirit. I pray you grow in your faith and realize at a young age that being Christlike is the most important thing to be. That God's opinion of you matters most. I pray you carry that into adulthood as a man who leans on Christ is the strongest man there is. I love you my Will!! Happy 9th Birthday!!!!!!!!!

How we spent your day

Cian spent the night last night so you spent a good part of the day playing games with him. Papa & Omi stopped by with your gift and you also opened your gifts from us. Headphones and a shopping trip to use your birthday and Christmas money toward and XBox1 and we'll pay the difference up to a certain amount. (If the money you had was too much under the price, we would buy a bike instead). Then we went to Dave & Buster's for your 'party.' It was so busy, I didn't get any pictures there. We were joined by Grandma & Paga, Aunt Becca & Isla and Ginny & the kids. You had a great time playing all the games with your friends! 

After D&B's, we headed back to the house for your ice cream cake (I guess the days of me making your cakes are over too... *sniff sniff) and your sleepover. James was originally going to join us for that, but he had his tonsils removed a couple days ago so had to stay home. You were super excited he joined us at D&B's and had fun with Cian & Samuel at the house. What a great day!