Happy 5th Birthday Mattox!

Mattox,
   
       Today you turn 5! Ahhh, where did the time go? It literally seems like yesterday when I quit my job to stay home with you. You were only 1 and now I have a little boy on my hands. This year has been a big one for you. You started 4 year old preschool at Calvary, and you had a good year. During the year we moved into a new house. We love our new home, but miss our old neighbors. Your best friends at school were Sammy, Jaxon, Megan, and Caroline. Your teachers were Mrs. Gae and Mrs. Heidi, and they both loved you. They said you were constantly saying nice things to them and others. You are a very charming little boy. I think you got that from your paw paw. You are not bashful about approaching a pretty girl, and you seem to know exactly what and whom you think is pretty. This year you have been totally in love with your Gopher Buddies teacher, Mrs. Jennifer. Every Wednesday night you would save a seat for her at dinner. You even got dressed up for her one night and told her you had been dreaming about her. HA.

       This year I have noticed you paying more attention to dad. I can tell you admire him and you ask about him a lot more. This year he took you to your first UNC basketball game. You were pumped up and all dressed in Carolina Blue. You were proud to go with dad, and he was beaming with pride. You also went to your first Braves game. You love the Braves and are constantly telling strangers that they are your dad's "favorite team." You ask dad if they win each day.

       You are experiencing a lot of new things these days. This year you took swim lessons and took gymnastics. I can't believe how much you are developing physically. You just started soccer and you are totally into it. It's fun to watch you learn and grow. You are starting to learn to read and write too. You love learning and I am hoping that never changes no matter what you do.

       You and Sam play perfectly together. You think he is funny and Sam is constantly laughing at you. You share your toys with him and are actually very sweet to him. You are such a good brother. Your favorite activity to do with Sam is get on your scooters and play in the rain. However, we just put a big playground in our back yard, and you love that too. You are always helping Sam get on and off the swings. It is sweet to watch you help him. I love watching you and Sam and Summer run around in the back yard laughing. You both think Summer is HILARIOUS because she runs around chasing the tennis ball you throw for her. When I watch the 3 of you, my heart just overflows with love and thankfulness.

       Happy 5th Birthday Mattox. You have forever changed me. You remind me to pay attention to the details….all the details…of everything around me….always. You remind me of God's promises, that he is always with us and helps us find strength when we are scared. You remind me to forgive. You remind me to encourage others. You are a very VERY special kid. Intelligent, loving, empathetic, and curious. I could not possibly love you more.

Love you forever,
Mom

Happy 3rd Birthday Sam

Dearest Sam,
Happy 3rd Birthday. This year has been so much fun. Shortly after your second birthday, you started to get really good at talking. I mean REALLY good at it! You started talking well and never stopped. This year you have literally talked…all…year…long. At times it can be a bit much, but it has been so much fun hearing what you have to say. You are smart, and sometimes you talk like someone twice your age. You have the best imagination ever and the best sense of humor.
This year has been the first for many things such as going to your first Braves game and having your first ER visit. This year you also started school at Calvary every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Your teachers are Mrs. Nancy and Miss Holly. You LOVE them. They are seriously, probably the best preschool teachers anyone could ever have. They have taught you so much this year. They tell me you are such a good boy at school. You follow directions and you are very kind to all your friends. Your best friends in school are Lara and Andrew. They both came to your party today. Starting preschool was rough in the beginning. You cried every day when I dropped you off until December. Then one day you decided you were going to be a big boy and walk in without crying. And that was that. You did the same with potty training. I tried to potty train you 2 times before you decided you wanted to. Once you decided you wanted to be a big boy, you got pretty good at it.
One thing you like me to do at night is tell you a story about Albert, a blue plane. I am not very creative, so it is hard for me to come up with stories for you, but when I do, you smile the entire time. It is so sweet. You have an amazing imagination and you love to paint and ride your scooter. You are even a bit out of control on your scooter according to Mattox. You are tough as nails. If you fall, you don't cry. You just get back up and start again.
Sam, this year has been so much fun. I have really gotten to see you become your own little person. I love what I am seeing. You are smart and hilarious. You make me laugh constantly. You are strong, but you are also very sensitive with babies and animals. You are very go with the flow, and you don't throw many fits. I couldn't ask for a better son. I love you with all I have.

Love always,
Your Mom