the little things: Happy Birthday, Kyle

Dear Kyle,

Happy birthday!! I can’t believe that eight years ago today you were born. You were so tiny and you cried because you were in this unfamiliar environment away from my body and heart. Then, the nurses wrapped you up and placed you in my arms and you stopped crying. And right about that time, I started crying…tears of happiness. I looked at you and saw that a piece of my heart was now outside of my body. I knew that every joy you felt, I would feel, and every pain you felt, I would feel…probably times 10! You bring so much adventure to our family and I cannot imagine who I’d be without you in my life. In the last eight years, you have exposed every weakness and strength within me and challenged me to become a better mother and person. You are hands down one of the most interesting people I have ever known. I enjoy our conversations and seeing your imagination work.

You have an insatiable hunger for knowledge and an interest in so many subjects. Grandma gave you some chapter books for your birthday last weekend, and you have already read 4 of them! You enjoy them because you learn about new places and things as you read them. Last night you read all about Pompeii, and the one before was all about Australia. Right now, you are in Boy Scouts and you are learning so much about all kinds of things…Things that you may have had a basic knowledge about, but in Boy Scouts, you have been able to gain a better understanding through experience and study. You have worked hard and now have belt loops in BB shooting, science, fishing, archery, astronomy, computers, and bowling. In Boy Scouts you are also selling popcorn. You set a goal to sell $650 worth of popcorn and you have been working very diligently to reach your goal. I am proud of you for setting a goal, staying focused and putting in the effort to reach it. I’m proud of you even if you don’t reach your goal because I see you really making an effort and that’s the most important part. As Thomas Edison put it, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

It’s amazing to watch you grow and learn. A few years ago, our family began playing The Animal Game to keep 2 certain little boys entertained in the car. Back then, it was a challenge for you because your animal knowledge was pretty limited, so we would choose only animals we knew you were familiar with and give hints in our answers instead of just saying yes or no. These days, the Animal Game has gotten to be very challenging for the rest of us! When it’s your turn, you choose animals like a gnu and a mandrel! What? You have officially surpassed me in animal knowledge…and space knowledge and Star Wars knowledge, and well, I could go on and on!

You are so sweet and sensitive and caring. I love that you don’t take yourself so seriously that you can’t wrap a feather boa around your neck and go all in for a tea party with your little sister. She loves playing with you! You like to help others and when someone is sad or hurt you are quick to help and try to cheer them up. You are a person who needs long hugs. Sometimes boys pretend they don’t want it, or forget that they need to be loved on by their mamas. I am always here for you if you need a hug or a cuddle…and if you don’t come to me, I will track you down and smooch on you until you wrap your little arms around me and squeeze, darn it!

You are a kid with a brilliant, beautiful light. It shines everywhere you go and you shouldn't ever hide it or extinguish it, not that you could if you tried. Your light is a part of you and cannot be separated from you. It makes you stand out from the crowd, it makes you march to your own beat, and one day it will help you do great and significant things. It is like The Force, but without the moving objects with your mind part. Your light allows you to see the world differently and possibly more keenly. With this light, you see a pirate ship where the rest of the world sees a toy raft, you see a space ship where others see a cardboard box. You see patterns where others your age see a random series of numbers, and you see possibilities where others see dead ends. Because of your light, you love intensely, feel pain immensely, and express yourself passionately. Life, for you and with you, is amplified. Your light makes you want to learn, and experiment and explore. Sometimes your light may seem too bright for others. Sometimes, others won't understand it...let it shine anyway. Sometimes others will be jealous of your brilliant light...let it shine anyway. Sometimes, others are so blinded by the effects of your light that they can’t see the beauty of it…You’ll need to slow down and show them the beauty. God gave you this light, and all of the good and bad that comes with it, for a reason. He will help you learn to use it properly. Like The Force, you’ll need to learn when, where, and how to control it and use it for good. The world needs out-of-the-box thinkers who are focused and determined and won’t let others tell them they are not doing something right just because it is different from the norm. This is one of those powers you must learn to use wisely, though. You will learn to turn “strong-willed” into determined, “daydreaming” into cultivating new ideas, and you will learn to turn raw emotion into mindfulness. You are learning this everyday.

Remember, you are walking around with a huge chunk of my heart, so I need you to take care of yourself and make good choices. I am so proud of you and feel truly blessed to be your mommy. You are, and always will be my baby boy. I love you more than words can express.

Love,

Mommy

Here you on the morning of your birthday. You had slept in the family room in the giant tent we gave you for your birthday this year. I think that should be a new birthday tradition...every year on your birthday, you should sleep in a tent!

Right now you are into:

Magic Tree House books

Camping and exploring outdoors

Chocolate

Minecraft

Reading

Writing and illustrating books

Poptropica

Your Birthday Missions: