I want you to know how much I cherish my slow summers at home with you. We've had three of them now, exploring the world together, learning and growing and laughing our way through picnics, stories, and bug hunts. I love our adventures --- a morning date to the movies, muffins and race cars by the river, and pirate treasure hunts at Prairie Lakes Park are some of my favorites. I pray I will always find ways to create special moments with just you and that our bond continues to deepen and grow stronger as you get older and our family grows larger.
I want you to know how much I love when you rub my back when I hold you. It makes me feel needed and loved - because sometimes mamas need that as much as their babies do.
I want you to know that we are so proud of you and so proud at how much you know. We don't care that you can't quite pull your own pants up by yourself, or that you can't pedal your tricyle just yet, and we love that you don't seem to care too much either. The world is full of competitions and comparisons, and so far you seem unphased and untainted by its demands. Be you and don't take anything in this life too seriously. You have gifts, amazing ones, and I can't wait to watch you share them with the world.
I want you to know that it hurts a little every morning when I bring you to school and that I pray every day that you know how much we think about you, even when we're at work. Picking you up and hearing about your day is the highlight of mine and the quality of our time at home is my constant priority. God has blessed us with jobs we love and a school that loves you, but nothing is more important than these walls we build at home.
I want you to know that sometimes, I can't stop looking at you. Sometimes, when we're riding in the car, I drink you in, every detail of you and I still can't believe you are mine. I used to dream about a blond haired, brown eyed little boy and you look just like that boy in my dreams.
I want you to know how much you come to life when we play. How your eyes light up when we suggest we play pirates, superheros, or racecars, and how interested you are in using your imagination. Watching you pretend is one of my favorite things in the entire world. This summer, I spent a lot of time just watching you play and I'm convinced there's no greater picture of contentment.
I want you to know that if I had special powers, I would ask for a remote that allowed me to stop time every now and then just to keep you little. I taught Catcher in the Rye for five years to high schoolers, but didn't truly understand what Holden felt until I found myself holding you in that hospital room.
I want you to know that my happiness is seeing you happy. That my heart smiles when you smile and that I've found more joy in the last two and a half years than I ever thought possible. I'm not sure what I did to deserve you, but I hope you know how much I love being your mama.
Some pictures from our last few weeks of summer. We've had so much fun.
Sweet thoughts & PRECIOUS memories! He is such a joy!!
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