Tuesday, May 9, 2017

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