Boy, oh, boy! I can barely believe it. You are officially FOUR years old, precious one! These years have seemed to go by in a flash, and every new year somehow goes by more quickly then the last. I've never known having torn emotions quite like I do with you getting older; part of me is so proud and excited to watch you learn new tricks and become a man, but another part of me aches to watch you grow. Motherhood is crazy, kid. I'll just leave it at that.
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You amaze me every single day. You're like a little sponge, taking in the world all around you and watching carefully every little thing. I've never met an observer quite as thorough as you are, and it often makes me wonder what you'll grow up to do one day. We have gotten a whole lot better at thriving as a family of four since your last birthday (praise Jesus!), and you have been such a help to get us to think point. You love helping me around the house, and you and Bethany play together so sweetly (most of the time) that it makes me giggle with joy. Not many people do well with change, but you have proved to us that you do -- and we are trying our best to shepherd you in that as you continue to grow.
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The highlights of this year for you were lots of hiking at both old and new places, playing in the snow, birthday parties for friends (which you have a lot of, thankfully), trips to the library several times a week, running through the sprinkler in the back yard, visiting the Riverbanks Zoo for the first time, giving your "sissy" endless smooches, our annual beach week with the Haltis (and Auntie Mel this time!), going to the apple orchard, picking pumpkins, dressed up like Gaston for Halloween, had another wonderful Christmas, attempted your first Ring Bearer gig (Lord, help us), and went to Ohio for the first time! That last one was pretty epic (like the MOST epic), and I'm soooo grateful that Daddy and I both agree that traveling with you and Bethany is so important. I sincerely want to show you the world, and this trip was a big one!
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You still love two main things: 1) eating and 2) playing. As long as you have a full tummy and have room to play, you're as happy as can be. You've started showing your temper off in recent months, which isn't my favorite thing. BUT it has given me opportunities to love you through your angry and frustration, and to show you what forgiveness looks like. I won't lie, kiddo -- that is hard to do! But my job as a mama is to do hard things to show you that you can do hard things, too. We're all being sanctified together, all four of us, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Nope, not even for more personal space. LOL!
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We are having your birthday party in just a little bit, and we've got lots of fun planned. You've got an incredible group of friends around you, little one, which makes me so, so happy. By you having such great buddies, I've also made a lot of great buddies, myself, along the way, too. It's pretty amazing to tell ya the truth. To be surrounded by other mamas who are like-minded on many things is such a gift, especially since we all reap benefits from it. You, also, have an out-of-this-world family who always shows up and shows out, and it's a beautiful thing. If you don't learn anything else from me your whole life, I hope you at least learn this: wholesome relationships are life-giving. Something tells me you might've already figured that out for yourself.
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You've got another big year ahead of you, sweet boy. We're going to go on trips both near and far, make lots of memories, spend lots of time walking through the woods, read lots of books, and try live life as fully and God-honoring as possible. We'll, also, spend a good amount of time in our pajamas to balance things out. ;) When I asked you what your goals for this year were (yes, we encourage you to set goals even as a little dude), you said: "I've got two goals, Mommy. I'm going to school, and I want to play two sports...baseball and basketball." Sounds good to me, too, big boy! I'm just so darn proud of you. You, cute thing, you!
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Braxton Michael, I love you with my whole heart. Your birthday will always bring out fierce emotions in me for lots of reasons, and I will never not feel like the luckiest mama in the whole wide world every time I look at you and your sister. God has blessed us beyond what we can even comprehend, and it is a privilege to walk with you every day. There's not sweeter boy on the planet, and I am so grateful you're mine!
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