Where, Oh Where Did My Little Boy Go?

Well Sweet Prince, you're five! Can you believe it? I can't! I am so proud of the boy you are. Having you as my son is the greatest blessing. You have made my life so full. This morning when I heard you wake up, I went into your room and you stood up on your bed and said, 'Look how big I am!" As you stood there with your big, sleepy smile on your face, I wasn't just seeing how "huge" you are, but what a truly big boy you are. You amaze me.

You are so sweet and kind. You share your things and you take your time with your little cousins and your friends at school (and even your little brother most of the time!). I am amazed at how smart you are. Last year on your birthday, I had to read your cards to you, but not this year! You read each one with no trouble at all. You are such a wonderful teacher for Brady as he discovers and learns. You have such an incredible imagination too, Big Guy. I love to sit back and watch you create your own imaginative world around you as you play. I am getting better at learning all of the characters for your favorite movies and toys so I can join in when you say, "I am Wolverine Mommy, who are you?"

I love to pick you up after school and hear Mrs. Dexter tell me all about how well you did in school that day. Not only does she tell me how smart you are, or how creatively you did something (like the time you drank your applesauce with a straw!), but she tells me how patient and kind you are with your friends, and what a good helper you are. It fills my heart with so much happiness to know that you don't need Mommy and Daddy right there with you to help you make good choices and be a good boy, that is just who you are.

You have always been a wonderful son. From the day you were born, you have brought more happiness into my life than I could ever explain. Your sweet dimples can put a smile on my face, no matter how hard things might get. I love it when you ask me to come sit on the couch with you so we can cuddle with the green blanket. You will sit and hold my hand, and remind me that I am the luckiest Mommy in the whole world.

You are a big boy, Jake. You are MY big boy, and the other day you promised me (while I was begging you not to get any bigger!) that you have to get bigger, but you would ALWAYS be my little boy. Thank you, Angel. It won't be long before you are much bigger than Mommy, and if we can keep this very special relationship we have, I will forever be happy. Thank you for being my wonderful son. Happy Birthday!