Happy Birthday, Baby Jack

To my darling Jack,

I know you really aren't a baby anymore, but I'll never accept it. I captured this shot of you this morning, gazing up at your birthday balloon. I promise I'll buy you a balloon every year of your life if it makes you this happy. I adore you, child. Our bond is something else.

God sure knew what He was doing when he gave you to our family. Yes of course Daddy secretly hoped for another man to join his clan, but, oh my, mommy was the one who was really in for a treat. I don't know what you've done to me kid, but you've got me wrapped around your little finger for sure. I never knew how much I needed a son until I met you! The past few years have been rough on me but you've been my buddy keeping me company though it all. I can't quite put it to words but you came at the tail end of a hard season for our family and you have been like our beam of sunshine. It seems whenever I feel the clouds of life setting in, I'll find you walking at my side and asking for my hand or running over for a snuggle. It's simply the best. I've said it before but I will say it again: I would change your middle name to something that means Joy if I could.

You are getting so big and adventurous! Not a day goes by that I don't have to change your socks because you've escaped shoe-less outside into our swamp of a yard. I love our neighbors because so far, they've always returned you to us. You are always pushing chairs around the house to get access to thing just a smidge higher like the microwave or the kitchen drawers. You love babies and push toys and buses and boots and the color blue and trains and trucks and planes and your binky and all of your family but particularly your grandpas. You play very well on your own but if things get too quiet, I can pretty much guarantee I will find you upstairs with a binky in your mouth and your crib pushed across the room so you could retrieve it.

You are our cheerful little charmer for sure. You wake up singing in the morning and then you WANT to go down for your nap in the afternoon. I mean, what more could we ask for, really? You've entered this new phase where you answer "Mmm-kay" whenever we ask you to do something or summarize how something is going to go down. It melts me every time. I love watching you in the midst of other kids. If they are screaming, so are you. If they are laughing, you are too. Typically you have no idea what is going on but it's never stopped you. You can run and scream with the best of 'em.

Today, on your 2nd birthday, I want you to know how incredibly loved that you are. I pray that you would grow to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and that you would serve Him always. I pray that you would continue to bring joy to many just by being you and that you would grow up to serve your family well. You are such a gift to us and we love you so much!

Happy Birthday Jack Attack!

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday Emma Grace!

To our Emma Grace,

Happiest of Birthdays to our amazing FOUR year old! I will never, ever forget that first week when you came into our lives. It was then that I learned just how deep and fierce a mother's love truly goes. You scared us half to death when you became ill at only five days of age and we are so very, very thankful that you pulled through. Daddy chose your middle name on a bit of a whim shortly after you were born and it couldn't be a more fitting reminder of the grace God has shown to our family.

You have a way of lighting up the life of every last person that you meet. You are a real charmer and you can sneak in snuggles like nobody's business, especially with your grandpas. You are tender and sweet and stubborn and a little bit quirky with a dash of shy thrown in the mix. I never quite know what's going to come out of your mouth from one moment to the next but usually it's hilarious.

I love spending time alone with you. As the middle child, you are more or less destined to either be at the heels of your big sis or leading your little brother around by the end of a stick. One-on-one time is only accomplished with immense forethought and planning but it is so worth it. When I hang out with you, I'm often tempted to ask you questions about your favorite food, color or how you are feeling about starting preschool. But our best times are had when I just keep my mouth shut and let you take the lead. I took you on a date while we were on vacation in Cannon Beach last week. I suggested we take a walk and you enthusiastically took it from there. You wanted to go to the hotel lobby where we grabbed a cup of hot chocolate for you and coffee for me. We sat briefly and then you wanted to go outside. Your cocoa spilled the moment we stepped out the door but you remained calm while I fixed you another. Next you suggested we walk to the beach to "see the big rock." Along the way, we posed for pictures in front of a puffin statue - your request of course. We passed another statue of a sailor and you pronounced him your daddy. Seriously, kid. You're crazy sometimes. The beach was cold and so once we reached it, we took shelter against a wall to sip our drinks and talk. You wanted to show me how you could make a sand angel and then I loved you ten times more because it was so ridiculously adorable. 

Thanks for helping remind me who you really are in the special moments we spent together. Sometimes being three (and now four!) is super tough. We've had a bit of a rough go as of late. And I think I've been handling it all wrong. The root of the issue, I think, is that you need more from us than we're giving you. I was a middle child too so I know how easy it is to get "lost" amidst the siblings who may be the squeakier wheel at the moment. We see you and we love you and you are oh so very special to us. 

You are strong, little one. When you set your mind to something, nothing will sway you. Particularly when it comes to your wardrobe. You will be dripping in sweat but will REFUSE to change out of the wool sweater dress that you insisted on wearing in the 80 degree heat. On other days though, no one could convince you to get dressed by yourself if they tried. You'd much prefer to be babied. 

I love how recently, when you accidentally fall asleep in the car or in some other random location, you exclaim immediately upon waking, "I was just pretending to be asleep" as if it were the worst thing in the world to actually need a little bit of shut eye. I always wanted a kid who would provide me with crazy sleep stories and girl, you are that kid! I have more than my fair share of pictures of you while asleep because you fall asleep in the silliest of places.

It's been fun getting ready for your birthday party. You decided MONTHS ago that you wanted a bat birthday party, since bats are your favorite animal. I've asked you numerous times what you would like for your birthday and all you will tell me is a Stellaluna the Bat cake. I really think you'd be happy with that and that alone. But for the sake of your guests, we also have been working on a bat piñata because your mama has no idea what else one does for a "bat birthday party" that isn't creepy for other 4 year olds...thanks for always keeping life exciting!

Emma, as you turn 4 and begin preschool, my prayer for you is that you would grow in your knowledge of all things academic but more importantly in your knowledge of God and His never ending GRACE for you. I pray that you would build strong friendships, learning to communicate in a kind and gentle and honest way. I pray that you would continue to draw people in in your charming way. I pray for your relationships with your siblings, that your friendships would continue to deepen and grow. 

You are a precious gift, Emma, and we love you so much! Happy birthday to you!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Isla Pie

To my dear 6 year old Isla,

Happiest of Birthdays to you sweet girl! Or to use your latest acronym note communication style: HBTYSG! I have been thinking a lot about all the words I would write to you in honor of your 6th birthday. I am so proud of the big girl you are becoming! Lately I have watched you as you have really embraced the role of "big sister" to your siblings, particularly your brother. You are so helpful in always making sure he has everything he needs all the way from getting him a glass of water down to assisting him out of his crib in the morning when mommy is "too slow." I love watching you love on and find joy in him.

Recently I took you on a special Mommy Date. We exercised first with you on your bike and me trying to keep up with you with just my two legs. You have gotten so strong and made it 4 whole miles! I would have quit much earlier with the pace you kept me at but you pushed me to keep going. After our run/bike, we went school supplies shopping and you did such a great job making sure we got everything on the list. It gave me so much joy to see how much our time together meant to you. You told me repeatedly how fun it was to just be with Mommy.

I learn so much from you, Isla. This year you are teaching me how to big a good neighbor as we get settled into our "new" house. You are constantly inviting friends over and greeting passersby. If it weren't for your help, I'd probably be a hermit but you've sparked countless conversations with neighbors by loudly saying "Mom, don't you want to meet that person?" in their earshot. It's been really nice for you to make friends in the neighborhood and if you had it your way, you would have them over all the time, all day, for every meal. You will leave one play date and return home and immediately ask if one of the neighbors can come over. Your energy never ceases!

You've taken a special interest in selling things to earn money. First it began with frequent lemonade stands out front but it is beginning to develop into greater and bigger entrepreneurial endeavors. Recently, you have been making jewelry in hopes of someday selling it to earn money for the kids at Children's Hospital. I love your caring heart and thoughtfulness and hope we can figure out a way to make this happen!

Last month, it was a joy to watch you thrive in hosting some of your second cousins and their parents for a few weeks. You had the BEST time playing with them every day and were always so sad when they had other social engagements to attend that didn't include you. I loved watching you make fast friends and then witnessing your tender spirit when it was time to say goodbye. You desperately wanted to get up early when they took off for the airport and when I woke you for the trip, it only took about 2 seconds before you began to cry. You were so sad to have your special friends move away and you cried for most of the morning. It was hard yet so precious for your mommy to watch. I especially liked how you immediately asked "for a trip to Bangladesh" for your birthday present. I hope so, baby girl. I hope so too.  

My prayer for you as you become a 6 year old and go off to first grade is that you would continue to love your friends and family well. That you would always be the one to look out for others and to make them feel included and special. I pray that you would be a light at school and not be scared to stand up for what you believe in, that people would be drawn to you. I pray that you would be strong and that your spirit would be preserved, no matter what sort of hardships may come your way. I pray that you would love Jesus with all your heart and continue to explore what that means at the ripe young age of 6. I pray that you would be confident in who He made you to be and that your faith would never falter. Your dad and I are so proud of you!

Love,
Mom & Dad

Dear Jack

 A very Happy Birthday to the sweetest 1 year old in all the world - our SON! I remember so well that afternoon a year ago today when you made your entrance to the world and I heard the words "It's a boy!" Don't ever tell anyone this, but I'm pretty sure there were tears in your father's eyes. You were a prayed for, longed for, hoped for addition to our family and we can't imagine our lives without you. 

 I struggle to put it to words other than to say that you are such a gift to your daddy and I, a ray of sunshine and a complete joy every single day. We waited expectantly for your arrival at the close of a pretty rough season for us. This year has been a series of big change after big change and your life has brought us so much laughter and warmth. You light up the room with your smiles and giggles and are absolutely adored by every person in this family.

I love your fierce determination to get in any and every body of water in sight, now matter how cold. You can't get enough of baths and your latest thrill is standing in the tub and playing with the faucets. This last month you have kicked it into high gear with all the new things you are learning. You are finally crawling, pulling yourself up, cruising and walking around with push toys. You are making up for lost time and are on the move ALL THE TIME. 

You and your daddy have a pretty special bond. You crawl quickly to the door to greet him when you hear his voice at the end of a long work day. The two of you giggle and crack each other up to no end. He was SO thrilled when you joined our family and I know the years ahead are going to be a lot of fun with all the "manly" stuff you guys will do.

Oh and Jack, I can't get enough of you either. I never knew how much I needed a boy until you entered my world. There is something incredible about the relationship between a mother and her son. This year has not been an easy one for me but I would do it twelve times over again and then twelve times more because it means I get to spend my life with your sweet face.

In the years that lie ahead, we pray that your sweet spirit would continue to light up the room wherever you are. We pray that you would grow to be a strong leader and a man of humility and integrity. We pray that you would love the Lord with all your heart and be open to whatever He has in store for you. You are a treasure, a blessing and your life is so needed in our family. We love you so very, very much Jack Attack!

 

Happy 1st Birthday!

 

Love,

Mom and Dad

 



Dear Emma

A very happy birthday to my precious 3 year old! You, my dear, are beautiful both inside and out. You've got the looks AND the personality to go with it for sure! And that hair!!! You have your daddy to thank for your thick and gorgeous locks that makes grown women drool.

You are our silly girl and I don't think ever a day has passed when you haven't made us laugh. You have had a hard time falling asleep at night lately and I never know how I will find you when I come to check on you before I go to bed. Sometimes you're asleep in the hall, sometimes you're actually in your bed (but never facing the right direction!) and 98.9% of the time you've changed your outfit a time or two. The other night I found you lying backwards on your bed with your feet on your pillow, awake and wearing a tutu at 10 PM!! Though you may be drenched in sweat, you insist on TWO blankets at bedtime and sometimes socks too. Silly girl!   

You are incredibly expressive and have a love of entertaining others combined with a shy and sometimes reserved side that sets you apart. I adore the way you run to animatedly tell us that you are watching a movie (!!!), no matter that we were the ones who turned it on for you. Your love of technology is undeniable. As is your musical gifting. I'm excited to see where these things take you. And you are oh so very tender and give hugs and words of affirmation generously. If only everyone could have an Emma in their life to encourage them! I love this about you.

Once we figure out what motivates you, we will have struck gold. You are STRONG and driven in a way that is so uniquely you. You basically potty trained yourself once you set your mind to it. Our prayer for you is that you would grow to know and love Jesus and follow Him all of your days. That we as your parents would lean into your strength, tenderness and beauty and guide you to use those gifts for God's glory. You rocked my world, Emma, when you joined our family. In a very, very good way. You are a gift to everyone you meet and we love you so much!

 

Happy Birthday,

Mom and Dad

 

 

 

 



Dear Isla

 A very happy birthday to my very favorite FIVE year old! Your daddy and I love you so much and are so grateful to be your parents! You are our little power house in every way - tons of energy, lots of emotion, never-ending ideas and creativity, and incredible leadership skills all wrapped up in a curly-topped, beautiful girl.  

You are oh so very brave and I burst with pride (and envy!) when I think about you in new challenging situations. You enter a room full of strangers and almost immediately make new friends. I have no doubt you will do well at school this year.

I also love watching you play with the friends you already have. Those you befriend sure are blessed kids! You talk about them frequently throughout the day and I love how you save them treasures you find and make all sorts of letters to send them in the mail. When you have play dates, you play happily for hours without any sort of conflict.

The past few months have been packed with change and transition. You have handled the adjustments with beauty and ease and we are so proud of how cheerfully you've adopted Grandma and Grandpa's as "home" (and you are quick to correct us if we don't refer to it as so!). I love the enthusiasm with which you approach our home tours "Mom, do you want to buy this house!?" 

I love the way you care for and keep an eye out for your siblings. They look up to you so much and I pray you will take your role as big sister seriously, leading by example and demonstrating selflessness and generosity. I've loved watching you give Emma the pink cup at mealtimes because you "know it's her favorite color."

As your parents, we have a lot of hopes and dreams for you but above all, we want you to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. We want you to know never-ending grace and acceptance and that our home is one of forgiveness and reconciliation when you do make mistakes. We love you so very, very much, Isla Pie! I'll close with a couple special words from your daddy: "We pray that your hair remains curly and your heart remains pure." :)

 

Love,

Mom and Dad

Happy 2nd Birthday Emma!

Dear Emma Bear,

A very happy 2nd birthday to my sweet second born! It is hard for me to believe my baby is already two. You are a bundle of fun and make your Daddy and I giggle every single day. You are talking in the most adorable, enthusiastic two-year-old way and I love hearing you put sentences together. My favorite lately is when we tell you something and you respond with the most adorable "oh!" You like to narrate what you are doing and I just love it. 

You get very excited about things that are hiding ("high-ing" as you like to pronounce it), airplanes overhead, counting, frequenting "Tarbucks" (Starbucks) for a breakfast bagel ("bag-gull") treat, your new helmet and bike and going on walks out to the trash and mailbox. I love how these little things thrill you and it's hard not to feel passionate about them too when I'm around you - it's contagious!

This morning we took a family walk to Starbucks for your birthday breakfast. You got to ride your new bike (your choice). We traveled at a snail's pace but you savored every minute of it. Afterward we went to the zoo because you wanted to "see monkeys." We saw so many different types and you had a heyday. We even saw one going potty which you thought was pretty neat. I kept asking if you wanted to walk or ride in the stroller to which you responded: "RUN!" And off you went. That about sums up your sweet energy in a nutshell. Why walk when you can run? 

You are beginning to show your caring side. Today at the zoo, you'd run ahead but then you'd turn around and check to see if I was coming. You'd say an exuberant "Come Mommy!" and beckon me with your fingers. I could hardly stand it!

You've developed a bit of a sweet tooth and when I asked you what you wanted to do on your birthday, without hesitation you exclaimed "ice cream!" Grandma Crozier made you, your sister and your second cousins a monkey cake for an extended family birthday party and you just couldn't get enough. In fact, we left the party with you screaming "monkey take!" in hopes of getting a second helping. 

For a couple weeks there, we were nervous you'd had a slight personality change. You gave us a real scare with some epic two-year-old-style tantrums that left us speechless. As it turns out, I think you were a few hundred naps and a couple good nights of sleep behind and once we got you rested again, your mood switched. But we certainly are getting some glimpses of the fact that you have an opinion and you're not afraid to make it known!

I think I pair your name with the adjective "sweet" more than any other word because it really is true and there is no better way to say it - you are a sweetheart! You are the sweetest, most endearing little two-year-old and you capture the hearts of those around you in seconds. Your personality remains incredibly unique and I can't wait to see the ways that God will use you. You are a beautiful mystery at times and I'm still trying to figure you out but I think you are going to be a people-person and have a knack for drawing others in. You don't like being the complete center of attention but you sure do love making everyone laugh (which you do so well). You make people comfortable and you make them feel loved - such an incredible gift.

I can't say enough good things about you - you are so special and a perfect complement to our family. Your Daddy and I love you more than you could ever know and we pray that you would continue to live vibrantly and that you would grow up to love Jesus with all your heart. Happy Birthday Sweet Thing!

Love, 

Mom

Happy 4th Birthday Isla!

Dear Isla,

Today you turned 4 years old! I know I will probably say this every year but how it is even possible that 4 years have already passed is beyond me. You have changed our lives for the better and I can't imagine a day without you!

It rained today on your birthday (totally not fair especially when you are born in August!) but you were unfazed. You embrace each moment of every day to the fullest. You love life and you remind me to find joy even in the little things.

You cracked me up this morning when you woke up and told me with a great degree of disappointment "I still feel 3." I couldn't help but giggle a little because I can totally relate. The last 4 years have whizzed by and I don't feel my age either.

You are incredibly sweet and caring and I especially love the way you say your goodbyes. You have become a hugger and today in particular it filled my heart to near bursting to watch you embrace your friend Scout and exclaim "It was good to see you!" as we headed out for your birthday picnic. You are extremely thoughtful and are growing into little Miss Hostess. I love how you like to send our guests off with a beverage and a snack (usually a zip lock of chocolate chips) when they leave our home. Sometimes your hostessing puts me to shame.

You are full of energy and only on the rare occasion do you slow down. You try new things with a confidence I envy. You are a strong girl and I am so proud of you. This month you learned to ride your bike WITHOUT training wheels. People often stop me on the trail, totally amazed.

If I had to guess, I'd peg you as an extrovert as you really enjoy being around and talking to others. You love spending time with me and shadowing whatever I do. The other day you were so excited to wake up and find me sewing a diaper bag for our baby. All you wanted to do was sit right next to me and watch and at the end of the day you reported that as the very best part of your day.

You are ever so curious and even after asking me a million questions, you still have an endless stockpile awaiting answers. I love this about you and I hope no one ever squelches your thirst for knowledge.

You are our little artist and our walls are constantly covered with a never-ending display of your skills. Lately you are also really into writing your ABCs (which you seem to have picked up overnight) and you enjoy writing and then mailing letters to various friends and family. You are always asking how to spell different words and I'm always impressed when I later find the words written out in some form or other.

You adore your little sister Emma and have been doing a great job of engaging her in play. You are very helpful in making sure she has a toy to play with and you do a good job of teaching her how to do things.

Other hobbies of yours include dancing, going to coffee shops, taking care of your babies, playing pretend, running around the room towing your sister on the end of a string and reading books.

You have a heart for others and I love the way you absorb the Bible stories and memory verses you learn in Sunday School. My prayer for you is that that big heart of yours would remain open and vulnerable to God's nudging and that you would follow Him always. I've said it time and time again but you are going to go places, this much is true!! I pray that you will always know how very much God loves you. That you would know and truly believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful both inside and out and your Daddy and I love you to pieces!

Happy 4th Birthday Isla Girl!

Love,
Mom

Dear Emma

 

Dear Emma,

Today is your 1st birthday and I don't know where this year has gone! It was one year ago today that you made your rapid entrance into the world and our lives are all the better now that you are in our family. I can think of no better way to put it than to say you are a TRUE JOY.

I find myself at a loss for words trying to describe how much I adore your personality. You intrigue me to no end! Where your sister and I share a lot of similarities in the way we view the world, you my dear, are a beautiful mystery to me. You are sweeter than anything, cheerful, easy-going and every time I look at you I can't imagine how I could possibly love you any more. You are a ham and know how to work the crowd, charming strangers instantly with that smile of yours. You have a way of capturing the attention and hearts of everyone in the room but you do it so subtly! People don't know what hit them but all of a sudden they realize they adore you and that you have them wrapped completely around your little finger. Twice.

You are just beginning to talk and sometimes I drop things on purpose just to hear you say my favorite: "uh oh." Today we took you to the zoo for the very first time and I loved watching you take in the bear exhibit. Your eyes were as bright as I've ever seen them and you kept pointing and grinning and couldn't look away from those big brown beasts. Made my day!

There have been many times in the past year where I think about the first couple weeks of your life and I am overcome with emotion. Oh how you scared us with your illness! I am beyond grateful for your life and healing and the renewed perspective not to take a single moment foregranted. My prayer for you is that you would grow up to love the Lord will all your heart and that you would follow Him always. That your precious spirit would continue to draw people and that God would use you in big ways. You are beautiful both inside and out.

Happy Birthday Emma Dear!

Love,
Mom