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a letter to john

"i'm five years old!"

hey my birthday bug!

i can't believe you turn five today. when you woke up grinning and leaped into my lap for the first "five year old kiss," i knew you were going to have an awesome day.

you've given your daddy and me five years of awesome days, kiddo. you've challenged us, made us laugh, helped us be better people, and shown us the world through your brilliant creative eyes.

you are so like me. sometimes that makes us mad at each other. sometimes we even yell. but i always know in my heart that we'll fight through it together and hug and take care of each other. we're a problem solving family, and you're an excellent little problem solver.

you are so like your daddy. you are determined and persistent and funny. you liven our house with your laugh and your smile and your rambunctious running and climbing and jumping and never-standing-still.

you are unlike any child i have ever known. you're a special, precious little dude and i can't believe i am blessed enough to know you, let alone to be your mama.

five years ago you came into our family, and i've told you every night how proud of you i am. but i will tell you today that i am EXTRA proud.

i am proud of you for helping others. i am proud of you for taking such good care of your brother. i am proud of you for seeing god in the world around you. i am proud of you for asking questions and not stopping until you understand. i am proud of you for being fast and strong and working hard. i am proud of you for reading, and writing, and building, and drawing. 

but mostly, i am proud of you for loving so much. you have a big tender heart, and you put it out in the world with abandon. 

and you are my heart, silly man. you will always be my baby boy - always.

love
your mama

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