April 18, 2012

My Dearest Bubba Boy,

How is that you are a big, strong, smart seven-year-old already?  Those bright, big eyes of yours still pull at my heart strings every time you look at me.  Some firsts this year: First grade, first time in CCD, and your first tooth fell out!  Remember how Grandma pulled it out and you were so upset?  So upset, in fact you let your next tooth hang on until it was just a thread!

You are so engaged in your books right now.  You started off the year a little slow to love reading, but now there is no stopping you.  The AR bug has bitten and you are a reading machine!  You played football again this year--your skills are improving and your speed gets you down the field fast!  It was so much fun to watch and cheer from the sidelines, Bubs--always remember I am your biggest fan!!

You are quite the tinkerer! You tinker with things, take things apart, and figure out new uses for those things all the time.  Your real play love right now is Legos.  You love to build and take apart and build something else.  Remember how Dad had to go away for work after Christmas and you wanted me to help you build that alien spaceship thing?  32 pages of directions!!!!!  32!!  That was a day I will always remember, sitting on your top bunk feeling quite frustrated with the whole thing, but you kept me going and together we were able to figure it out.

How about our favorite bible verse: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Remember saying that over and over, night after night as you took the stage as Tiny Tim?  The scene where you are taken away in the arms of the ghost of Christmas future brought tears to my eyes every time--as life without you, my bubs, is so unfathomable. Our verse also applied when we headed to City of Hope to figure out what was going on in that blood of yours. I was a mess inside during that week, son.  I just worried that I might just have to do all the things I think I'm no good at:  hospital visits, throw up, blood. . .and I knew I would do whatever had to be done to make you well--but God blessed us with a lighter diagnosis for now.  So as you head off to get that blood taken every three months (which was like six months because I couldn't take you when you were sick)--remember that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.  Yes, you can!  I know you don't like it, but it has to be done so we can make sure you stay healthy--and I promise to keep buying you a donut when you are through. Every. Single. Time.  Pinky promise.

You have such a gentle heart and sweet, sweet soul.  You are so sensitive and so concerned about those you love, especially your sisters.  I hope you always keep God's words tucked into your heart and that you always follow Him.  Remember you are His warrior and there is a battle being fought out in the world and you are a part of His first line of defense.  you can make a difference--and you will.  I just know it!

Happy birthday, little man!

I love you all the way to the moon and back and around the world for eternity.

Love,

Mom