Here we are again.  Dear boy, this year has passed by so very fast.  Too fast, but we have enjoyed it.  I am not regretting a thing right now.  I am enjoying the gift that you are.

And you are a gift.  A real gift to me and our family.

I watched you in mass yesterday and just marveled.  You are one of the sweetest boys with little kids.  The family of five that sat in front of us~  You were playing with the 2 year old in the pews.  (You don’t even know this family by name.)  And the love you have for your sister.  I know, she’s one of your favorite people.  And you treat her as such.  Your love for little children makes me so proud.

It’s been quite a year for you, my boy.  A good year.  You have excelled this year and have been so happy.

When I think of the past year, your First Communion immediately comes to mind.  Even now, you can tell me just how many times you’ve received Christ in the Eucharist.    Five times.  Your ease with Confession is inspiring to me.  I hope you always keep that love for Christ in your heart.

You also had a wonderful school year.  Straight A’s, kid.  You set a goal and made it come true.  Remember the time you couldn’t understand why you had a certain grade on an assignment?  The grade was pretty low, and you knew it could affect your straight A’s.  I told you to deal with it, and you did.  You went straight to your teacher and asked her why points had been removed.  You took control of your grades.  This one act says so much about what kind of person you are.  I hope you always set goals, take charge and make your dreams come true.

You’ve always been my speller.  And this year you were selected to represent your class in the spelling bee.  Actually you weren’t selected, you earned your way into the school bee.  I predict this won’t be your only school spelling bee.

You still read all the time.  You take a flashlight to bed, you take books in the car and still like to cuddle and read with me.  You love sports.  And you’re pretty good at basketball and baseball.  I never thought I would like watching little league, but I love it.  Seeing you on the basketball court gives me such pride.  And to see you and Baby Hulk on a team together is even better.  I watch the two of you together, and you are the best of buddies.  I hope you always have your brother’s back like he does with you.

At eight years old, you’re a pretty well rounded kid.  Just like your dad.  Generally, I think of you as being just like me, and you most definitely are when it comes to your personality, but I love how much I see your dad in you.  You are now the encyclopedia when it comes to football.  You watch shortcuts of NFL games and knew all the bowl games this year.  Your dad is proud of you for many reasons, but he has the biggest twinkle in his eye when you want to stay up to watch a sporting event.

You’ve grown so much this year, but you are still a little boy.  I catch you skipping, and it makes my heart swell.  It’s my favorite move.  You love Snoopy more than anything, possibly even me and Baby Z.  When I asked what you wanted for your birthday, you said you wanted some Snoopy figures.  I searched everywhere to make sure you got your birthday wish.  With help from dad, there were three on your cake today.  I will do that for you.  Anything to keep you young.  Because while I say I’ve embraced this year, I can admit just how fast it’s gone.  And I don’t like it.  I want time to stop.  I want things to stand still.

But they won’t, I know it.  I will continue to watch you grow.  I know how blessed I am to be your mom.  I thank God for you every day.  I remember every detail from the day you were born and so many other details from your life.  You are such a sweet little boy, a bit bossy, as smart as I always knew you were and you love your family.

One of my favorite memories of you this year was your disgust upon reading about a kid who didn’t want another sibling.  You just didn’t get that kind of thinking.  In fact, you expect to have another siblings in a year.  For me, that says we’re doing something right.  Even though you kind of expect to be top dog a lot of the time, you love family.  Whether it’s listening to music with your big brother, watching silly videos or playing soccer out back, you love them.

Next year, you start third grade.  I wonder if you will still want me to walk you into school.  I hope so, but realize that you might not and that’s okay.  I can watch you grow because you make me so proud.  I love who you are and who you are becoming.

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.  I love you dearly.  This past year was remarkable, and I know next year will be even better.  May God bless you always, and Mary and the Saints continue to pray for you.