Ayden's 7th Birthday

Dear Ayden, Seven years old! My goodness. I have to just stop and take it all in. Seven. I can't believe you are already seven years old. Wasn't it just yesterday that Daddy and I first held you in our arms? I know I say somehing similar every year, but it seems like every passing year goes faster than the one before. The past year has been full of big events! You became a big brother yet again to our precious Laney Kate. You graduated from Kindergarten. And we made the big move back to Missouri, where you started a new school with a new teacher and new friends. And, you have handled it all like a champ. You love and dote on Laney Kate and help me with her and your brothers. You were sad to leave your school and Mrs. Tracy and your friends in Jacksonville, but you were so brave to go to Pineville Primary with Mrs. Burch and you have made some great new buddies. I have been so proud of you through it all!! Since you started first grade in August, you've lost four teeth. In fact, you have three empty spaces in the front right now. I tried to get you to sing "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" but you weren't so sure... ;) You still have the same tender heart as always. Sometimes, we have to peel back the attitude to see it, but it's there just the same. You like to make the people you love happy, and you are quick to offer encouraging words. Sometimes I wish you would be a little easier on yourself and take encouragement as well as you give it, but I know that you come by your perfectionist tendencies honestly, and we'll just work through that together. ;) Your favorite hobby of the past year has been Legos. Wow. First, it was Star Wars and Pirates of the Carribbean Lego sets, and now it's Batman and Ninjago. It's so fun to watch you create with them. You just got your first Batman set for Christmas, but you've been creating those characters for months using the pieces you already had. Your friends are into Legos, too. At Parsons last year and the beginning of this one, Mrs. Tracy had to ban all Legos from school because the boys weren't paying attention and were arguing over them. A few weeks ago, you went to Buffalo Creek with Daddy and after you were in bed that night, he told me that after the program, you had disappeared to the fellowship hall with the other boys your age. When he went to get you, he said there you all were, gathered around a table playing with the Legos you had ALL pulled out of your pockets. We laughed and smiled at the fun you had. You still love to draw, too. Daddy and I can barely write our own names....so we both say you didn't get your talent from us. But, Mr. Rusty says you have a natural ability, and, not to brag, but I agree. ;). You will sometimes sit for an hour drawing out a whole story scene, using up every inch of the paper, front and back. You are so funny. Most times, you don't mean to be, which makes it even funnier. But lately, you are into joke telling. You make most of them up, and to be perfectly honest, most don't make a lick of sense, but when you laugh at your own punchline, it makes me smile. You are beginning to be very curious about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. Daddy and I are praying every day for your (and your brothers' and sister's) salvation. The wheels are turning and I know the day of yor salvation will be soon. You think (on some days) that you'll grow up and be a preacher like Daddy. You understand the importance of telling others abouthe Lord. This morning, your Daddy was speaking at FCA, and you very tenderly explained to your brothers what he was doing and why. A very special moment for your Mama to hear, for sure. Oh buddy, I love you Soooooo much!!! You melt my heart when you still want to snuggle with me. You are such a sweet boy, telling me and the rest of our family that you love us at random times of the day, every day. I am so very proud of you and the big boy that you've grown up to be. I am so excited to see what the year ahead holds for us. In a blink, it will be your 8th birthday. But, for now, let's enjoy every scone of seven. Have the happiest of birthdays, buddy. I love you to he moon and back....times infinity!!! Mama