Happy 9th Birthday Nate....

Nine years ago God blessed us with our second son, Nathan John. He is still amazing me everyday with his unique mind. I love this boy deeply and I dedicate this post to my Nate.

.....you get super excited for your birthday

(actually you get excited for all of our birthdays too!)

.....you wanted to open your gifts first thing in the morning

.....you and your brother always get each other a gag gift

(this year Noah got you a pack of napkins...so funny)

.....you loved swimming this summer

.....you love to play outside

.....you always seem to find a way to get super dirty

.....you built a balance beam in our back yard

.....you are a member of the Dangerous Boys Club

.....you enjoy playing board games

(especially chess and the game clue with Noah)

.....you love to watch Shaun the Sheep

.....you are still totally into Legos

.....you love the lego mini figures

.....your favorite movie is "The Lego Movie"

(surprise surprise)

.....you are in the 3rd grade

.....you have always been homeschooled

.....you are an emotional creature

.....you love going back to PA to visit family

.....your excitement is contagious

.....you are usually the 2nd kid up in the morning

(today you were up first of course)

.....you still like to dress up in costumes

.....you love going roller skating

.....your favorite color is green

.....you love to ride your bike

(especially around the neighborhood with Noah)

.....you like to play the Wii

.....you eat 2 eggs and a bowl of cereal every morning for breakfast

.....you are a literal thinker

.....you love to read the kid detective series "Nate the Great"

.....you still have hearing sensory issues

.....you eat PBJ everyday for lunch

.....your favorite jammie pants are way to short on you

(the infamous platypus jammies, but you refuse to get rid of them)

.....you pray for certain people everyday

.....you love babies

(it is so sweet to see you with baby Aaron)

.....you have a special bond with your brother Noah

.....you love our movie night with popcorn

(every Tuesday night!)

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

(with chocolate peanut butter cups)

.....you are a great brother

(you and Luke butt heads, but you guys are still buddies)

.....you work on Scripture memory every day

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

.....your best friend is Josiah

.....your favorite drink is water

.....you like to play go-fish with Lauren

.....your laugh is the best

.....you eat lots of new things these days

(your oral sensory issues are getting much better)

.....you are still the only kid in our family with freckles

.....you have a tender heart

As the years move along, it is such a blessing for us to watch you grow and mature.  With each year you gain independence and we breath a sigh of relief as you practice self control over your emotions and your actions. You have such a sweet tenderness about you, but at the same time we see you growing in strength.  We are so thankful for you, and pray for God to do a mighty work in your heart. One day we hope you will be a strong godly man and that you will serve our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart. 

Happy Birthday Nate

I Love You,

Mommy