three is the magic number.

Today is Thursday, July 22, 2010. And while most of us are zooming through our ordinary days, there is a little boy in a small town named Simpsonville, SC that is most likely repeating these words over and over again to everyone he sees: "happy birthday to me!" That's what I do on my birthday, at least. And since this little boy is extremely chatty and overflowing with energy, I am convinced that my portrayal of him is accurate. If you've ever met the kid, you know what I'm talkin' about!

On this day three years ago, I woke up at 7 a.m. to find out that Candie (TJ's older sister) was in labor and headed to the hospital with Teeesh about five seconds later. Literally...five seconds. Then after hours and hours spent in the waiting room, Richard Trenton Chappell was born. Boy was he CUTE! And boy was he LOVED. Since that day, Trent has been the single most spoiled and adored kid on the face of the planet. Did I mention spoiled? Yep, that credit goes to the one and only Angie Bargeron, better known as "MiMi." I just hope she's prepared to spoil all 12 of my kids that way. I mean, she's had plenty of time to prepare, don'tcha think? :-P

Since being there on the day he was born, I have missed every birthday since. Awful, huh? I was at the beach for his first birthday, working in Clemson for his second, and now I'm across the country for his third. My track record for birthdays obviously isn't all that great, but I can promise you that the amount of love I have sent him every single day (near or far) since July 22, 2007 is in enormous amount. Maybe not the most out of everyone, but pretty close to the top! :)

So, once again, I'm sending all my love from the west coast to the east coast. As much as I love it out here, I can't wait to get home and hug the necks of everyone I've missed! Andddd go to Frankie's Fun Park. Wait, what? Yeah, you heard me. A strange thing to miss, but I promise you that will be the first date Teeesh and I go on when I get back. Good thing he's got a golf course in his back yard...it'd be a shame to get beat by a girl. Again. ;)

"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." -Lucille Ball