So on Saturday you were three. I can’t believe that you, my little baby boy, the youngest in this family, is three years old.
But of course, it was also Mommy and Daddy’s wedding anniversary. For reasons you may not understand yourself until you walk down the aisle, I write to our marriage first – but then you are an immediate next.
You see, if there wasn’t a marriage to celebrate, big guy, there wouldn’t be a you.
A wonderfully, fearfully, perfectly made you…
A you whose favorite word at the present moment is “no” – often said with a foot stomp to add extra emphasis.
A you who has delightfully charming dimples and enormous chocolate brown eyes that often turn me to putty.
A you whose giggle is absolutely contagious and emits deep from within the belly.
A you who loves nothing more than the opportunity to get really dirty and make a huge mess.
A you who knows what he wants and has no qualms with expressing it.
A you who likes to be naked as a jaybird. Clothing is always optional when we are just hanging around the house, you know…
A you who delights in golf and loves anything with wheels, who loves Scooby Doo and popcorn and anything sweet. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree of your mama…
A you who is incredibly affectionate and often falls into my arms and wraps your chubby little hands around my neck.
A you who doesn’t like my hair in a ponytail, who prefers it down, who tells me I’m beautiful when it’s this way but when it’s not, “it’s yucky.”
A you who is terrified of those vicious Daddy Long Legs spiders.
A you who loves babies and has a natural inclination to nurture.
A you that is so easily filled with wonder and an innocence that takes my breath away.
A you who loves to swing, to hang out in “your chair” and to ride in your pushcar for walks.
A you who loves popsicles on a hot summer day.
A you who tells your sister you love her often and a you who wrestles with your brother because that’s how you show each other love.
A you who still wants to hear “Jesus Loves Spencer”, “Moon, Moon, Moon” and “You Are My Sunshine” every night before bed. In that order.
A you who wasn’t a planned conception and yet the most delightful surprise to date.
A you who is so close in age to your brother that you two are basically twins with your own language and private communication.
A you who I thank God for each and every day. A you who pushes me to my absolute limit on some days due to your strong-will and toddler-ish ways, a you who is so much like me that all I can really do oftentimes is just laugh and turn my head.
A you who charms us all, a you we adore, a you who has made our family circle complete.
A beautiful creation knit perfectly together just as you are.
Happy Third Birthday, Sweet Spencer. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Love,
Mommy
And it’s Monday, so today I thank you, God, for:
511. Pleasant surprises that weren’t in our plans but always in yours.
512. That giggle
513. That smile
514. Those eyes
515. Hearing you say “You’re bootiful, mama” – but only when my hair is down
516. Entrusting me with him
517. His Daddy – both Heavenly and earthly
518. The opportunity to potty train. Oh my. Yes. That might be pushing it.
519. Gumballs for number one, special prizes for number two. Still no special prizes but plenty of gumballs.
520. The way he says “Africa” – A-ki-ka…
This week, may you be blessed with deep belly laughs. May you know exactly what you want. May you get dirty, eat a popsicle, and fall asleep in your favorite chair with dirty summer feet.
Spencer style.
Joining Ann for “Multitude Mondays” and Jen for “Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood”…
Natalie,
I ALWAYS love these letters to your children (and hubby). They are so beautiful! I can’t believe he is 3! Time sure has flown by and that means my little boy will soon be 3 too! WOW! He looks so grown up and adorable as always! I adore his smile!
May God Bless you sweet Spencer! Happy Birthday!
Dear Natalie,
Ok, so I read both of these beautiful posts to your sweet son and to/about your hubby…I want to get caught up with Ghana and am so thankful you have it as a stand alone page AND ‘Life Story’ too…I read the more, background, about your first marriage. Oh my, I cried with you running in the cold…it was so sweet that you stopped by and that I could come ‘stay at your place’ for a while. It’s been very refreshing…btw, I love that CCC’s Priority Associates has a place in your story–you know that’s who we are with, I think…our extended family and you are not the first blogger that I have met that has them as a part of their testimony:)…God is good and His love is from everlasting to everlasting and His mercy endures forever!
That is so sweet. It is amazing what we moms see and pay attention to that others can’t see. My first was my pleasant suprise. My marriage wasn’t very healthy and didn’t last, but I did get her and her two brothers out of it. My sister just had her 5th child in March and he was an unexpteced joy. She, nor any of us, can imagine not having him. It’s funny how things work out and God always knows what is best for us! What is that country song that says, “You want to see God laugh, tell him YOUR plans?”
If he isn’t a little yummy guy:) Oh how this makes me miss my kids being so little. It goes by so fast. I laughed at the naked..my now 16 year old boy loved being naked and would even do so outside so all of the neighbors could get a look see!
You have a beautiful family…keep enjoying every minute and don’t wear your hair in a ponytail around Spencer:) men seem to love longer hair….:)
xo
I had to go back and read the anniversary one, too. So sweet. So precious. So evident that He is King and that you, sweet girl, are a heavenly daughter!
What a beautiful tribute to your son. I love the last picture of him sleeping in the chair. Oh, and happy anniversary!