Happy Birthday Nate.....

8 yrs. ago God was gracious in giving to us our second son, Nathan John. As each year passes, we rejoice in the blessing that this special boy is to our family. His smile still moves me inside, and I am growing in understanding of what a unique mind he has been given. I dedicate this post to our Nate. 

.....you have been counting down to your birthday since the summer

.....your excitement is contagious

.....you love surprises

.....you had me measure your height after you woke up 

.....you are our only child with freckles and you are very proud of them

.....your favorite shirt is your Tie-dye 

.....you love to chew gum

.....your Daddy cuts your hair

.....you have a fun sense of humor

.....you are the most ticklish person I know

.....you are very good at math

.....you love M&M's

.....you are still totally into legos

.....you still amaze us with your creations with and without directions

.....you love being a part of the Dangerous Boys Club

.....you have always loved water and of course love to swim

(and especially enjoy going down waterslides)

.....you still read to me everyday

(one of my favorite things to hear)

.....you are going through a difficult season with sensory issues with your hearing

.....you get very bothered by certain sounds

.....your patience is constantly being tested by Luke

(who makes sounds that heavily annoy you)

.....you amaze Daddy and I with your progress

.....you pray hard for certain people

.....you are still obsessed with babies

.....your favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate

.....you always pick out a lego book each week when we go to the library

.....you are still playing the piano

(and I love to listen)

.....you are so sweet and tender with your baby brother Adam

.....you eat 2 peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches for lunch everyday

.....you love your big brother Noah and have always had a special relationship with him

.....you put up with all of his big brother antics

.....you love it when Noah makes funny faces, he gets you laughing so hard

.....you bite your fingernails

.....you build Lauren's lego set for her

.....you love playing hide-n-seek with your siblings

.....you have your own pocket knife

(given to you by Noah, who wants you to be more dangerous)

.....you used to be so scared by Thunderstorms, but recently have become much more brave

.....you really wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese on your Birthday

.....you were so excited to stand in the ticket blaster

.....you can sometimes get overwhelmed easily

.....the highlight of your summer is going back to PA to visit family

.....you love to play the Wii

.....you are still super affectionate and loving

.....you can have a wicked temper if pushed too far

.....your favorite color is green

.....you said you felt like a King on your birthday

.....you were told that you have autism this past year

.....you never feel sorry for yourself

.....you love pizza

.....you make people happy

.....you stand up and give oral presentations at our Co-op group

(and I so enjoy watching you talk to a group of people)

.....you still sometimes prefer to be alone

.....you enjoy doing stuff on the computer and figure things out by yourself

.....you and Luke are buddies and wrestle together

(when he isn't annoying you)

.....you think that Lauren needs to have a baby sister

....your vocabulary is growing and your speech is improving all the time

.....you are a strong visual learner

.....you love to watch Shaun the Sheep and Pink Panther

.....your favorite cereal is Peanut Butter Capt'n Crunch

.....you are usually the second kid up in the morning

.....your practice your memory verses every morning

.....you hate wearing socks

.....you love mud

......you are still a literal thinker

.....you went to your first baseball game a few months ago

.....you love to ride your bike around our neighborhood with Noah

.....you and Daddy have a special game you play at bedtime

.....you still prefer water over any other drink

.....you went on your first Dangerous Boys Camping trip this summer

It's hard to believe that you are 8 already. When Daddy and I think back over the years, we can't help but be in awe of the mighty work God is doing in you. You are so lovable, and have a sweet tenderness about you.  As you mature, I hear you often saying to me, "I don't need your help."  I keep backing off, watching you grow in your confidence and independence....it's quite a sight. You and your little sister share a special bond in the way you pray...so fervently and with so much faith. God has used you to teach Daddy and I so much.  We pray for the grace that it takes to raise you, and are  prayerfully pressing forward, eager to see the godly man that God intends for you to be. 

Happy Birthday Nate

I Love You,

Mommy