The oldest is 12!

My Dearest Nicholas,

You are 12.  Happy Birthday to the first human to teach me the type of love that had previously been unfathomable.  From the first moment I saw you, I knew exactly why I was put on this planet.  You, my sweet young man, bring me joy every single day.

You continue to amaze me with your head and your heart.  You understand things beyond your years and show extraordinary compassion and empathy.  You aren’t afraid to march to the beat of your own drummer.  Despite peer pressure, you make the right choices, even if it means going it alone.  You are strong, much stronger than you even realize.  I pray you keep that strength and discernment.  They will serve you well.  I pray you never lose your compassionate heart and your faith.  Always look for the good, my precious son.  It is there, even if we have to look beyond the surface.

This year you have found what you enjoy the most and what works best for YOU.  You have decided not to play baseball and soccer, but instead continue with Boy Scouts, cello and Tae Kwon Do.  I am so proud of you, once again, for following your heart and not the crowd.  It would be easy to just continue doing what all of your friends are doing, but you are doing what is best for you.  That takes courage and character.  You have an abundance of both and I couldn’t be more proud.  You have excelled at these activities and even won your first regional tournament in Tae Kwon Do.  It brings me so much joy to see you working hard, thriving and having FUN!

Again this year we traveled, we served and we had adventures.  I have enjoyed seeing you jump in and take initiative during your opportunities to serve.  I pray you continue to notice the world around you and volunteer to help where you see a need.  While it is important to do what is best for you, it’s also important to look beyond yourself at the world around you.  Notice where there is a need and fill the need.  It is also important to make sure you find a good balance.  Don’t give so much that you lose yourself and don’t isolate so much that you miss opportunities to bless others and be blessed in return. I hope I can help guide you in this.

Nicholas Gabriel, you are a blessing just by being you.  From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I loved you and that love has continued to grow every single day since.  I cannot thank God enough for choosing me to be your Mom.  How did I get so lucky? I pray God’s blessing continue to fall upon you and His favor and protection surround you.  I pray you are always aware of His presence and always take the opportunity to share a kind and encouraging word. May you continue to do your best and to grow into the man you were created to be.  Thank you for being compassionate, caring, kind, brave, loving, silly, funny, unique and just plain FUN!  Thank you for being such a great big brother and loving son.  Thank you for being YOU!

Love you most!
Mom

You can see his video here.

The Oldest is 12!

My Dearest Nicholas,

You are 12.  Happy Birthday to the first human to teach me the type of love that had previously been unfathomable.  From the first moment I saw you, I knew exactly why I was put on this planet.  You, my sweet young man, bring me joy every single day.

You continue to amaze me with your head and your heart.  You understand things beyond your years and show extraordinary compassion and empathy.  You aren’t afraid to march to the beat of your own drummer.  Despite peer pressure, you make the right choices, even if it means going it alone.  You are strong, much stronger than you even realize.  I pray you keep that strength and discernment.  They will serve you well.  I pray you never lose your compassionate heart and your faith.  Always look for the good, my precious son.  It is there, even if we have to look beyond the surface.

This year you have found what you enjoy the most and what works best for YOU.  You have decided not to play baseball and soccer, but instead continue with Boy Scouts, cello and Tae Kwon Do.  I am so proud of you, once again, for following your heart and not the crowd.  It would be easy to just continue doing what all of your friends are doing, but you are doing what is best for you.  That takes courage and character.  You have an abundance of both and I couldn’t be more proud.  You have excelled at these activities and even won your first regional tournament in Tae Kwon Do.  It brings me so much joy to see you working hard, thriving and having FUN!

Again this year we traveled, we served and we had adventures.  I have enjoyed seeing you jump in and take initiative during your opportunities to serve.  I pray you continue to notice the world around you and volunteer to help where you see a need.  While it is important to do what is best for you, it’s also important to look beyond yourself at the world around you.  Notice where there is a need and fill the need.  It is also important to make sure you find a good balance.  Don’t give so much that you lose yourself and don’t isolate so much that you miss opportunities to bless others and be blessed in return. I hope I can help guide you in this.

Nicholas Gabriel, you are a blessing just by being you.  From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I loved you and that love has continued to grow every single day since.  I cannot thank God enough for choosing me to be your Mom.  How did I get so lucky? I pray God’s blessing continue to fall upon you and His favor and protection surround you.  I pray you are always aware of His presence and always take the opportunity to share a kind and encouraging word. May you continue to do your best and to grow into the man you were created to be.  Thank you for being compassionate, caring, kind, brave, loving, silly, funny, unique and just plain FUN!  Thank you for being such a great big brother and loving son.  Thank you for being YOU!

Love you most!
Mom

The Youngest is 7!

My Sweet Caleb,

What a year you have had!  From wonderful things like Disney World, to not so wonderful things like getting 5 staples in your head, you have done it all!  Your Daddy and I are so very proud of the delightful little boy you have become.  You have the kindest heart, the funniest sense of humor and, even at your young age, real work ethic!  There is not a lazy bone in your body my boy! We pray those amazing qualities of kindness, love, compassion, bravery, vigor and humor continue to grow for you.  We continue to pray that you use those God given gifts to go out and be a light in this world. We pray that you always turn to our Heavenly Father to help lead the way.

This past year has been exciting!  You really did a great job in soccer and were instrumental in your team having an undefeated season.  More importantly, you were a good sport and did not brag or boast.  You just did your best and supported your team and even encouraged those on other teams.  This was your last year in t-ball and you did great! Next year you start coach pitch, I can hardly believe it!  You have finally caught up to your big brother and can run just as fast as he does!  I can’t believe how fast you’ve grown!  Continue doing your best in all that you do son, this is all we ask of you.  Do your best, be kind, be encouraging, be a good friend and teammate and HAVE FUN!

We had another fun trip to Disney and this year, we had our special Mommy and Caleb trip, where it was just you and I for a few day before your brother joined us.  I love our special bonding trips and I hope that as you grow, the memories of them are as sweet for you as they are for me.  My little beach bum, we also went to Myrtle again and, just like your Mommy and big brother, you are a beach bum.  It’s only January and you are already asking when we can go back!  You finally mastered the boogie board this year and did a great job body surfing.  Every year you learn a new skill!

You finally became a cub scout this year!  I can hardly stand how cute you look in your uniform.  You have done a great job in scouts and have already earned several awards.  Your Daddy and I are so proud.

I will end this year’s letter my precious boy, the same way I do each year.  By reminding you again how much you are loved and how proud we are of you.  We will always be here for you with unconditional love.  I will remind you, like in last year’s letter, that there will be trials, but that God has equipped you with everything you need to get through them.   Keep growing in your faith, keep being exactly who God made you to be knowing that our Heavenly Father does not make mistakes and He made you! 

Happy Birthday my remarkable boy.  May this coming year be your best ever. We love you so much, we love you more, we love you most, we love you more than most!

You can find his video here