Monday, March 23, 2009

Happy Birthday, Tristan!!!

Today is my oldest baby's fifth birthday!!! I can hardly believe it. My sweet Tristan is five years old today. Where has the time gone?!? He's still supposed to be my tiny little toddler, dancing to the Wiggles and poking his tongue out. He's supposed to still love to eat sweet potatoes and running with his arms sticking straight out behind him. He's supposed to be pointing out 'Jesus' at the local Mexican restaurant. He is not supposed to be playing t-ball, riding a bike, writing words, helping with his baby brother, pointing out and naming all the super heroes... He's just not. He's still supposed to be my little baby.

Despite the fact that he is growing up entirely too fast, he is and will always be my baby. He is and will always be my kind-hearted little man, my little momma's boy. He will always have the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. He will always be my 'punkin'. He will always be my cuddle-bug. He will always be my surprise blessing from God...my blessing that drew me closer to my heavenly Father by showing me just a tiny glimpse of the love He must feel for me.

When Channing and I found out we were expecting Tristan, we were shocked and scared. I mean, by all accounts, it was a terrible time for us to be having our first child. We were preparing to move to a new place, open a new business, and we had very little money. At the time, we wondered how we would make it, how we could have been so careless. Little did we know the great blessing God had planned for us. Tristan was such a gift, a gift God granted us, though we didn't deserve him. I thank God every day for my sweet surprise. I thank God that He saw what we couldn't at the time...the love that we would have for Tristan, the joy he would bring to our lives, the incredible blessing that he would always be to us. Thank you, Lord, for my Tristan!

To Tristan, I love you more than life. You are my sweet little man, and though you say you never want to grow up, move away, and leave me, one day you will. And that's ok. Just know that I will always be your mommy, and I will always always cherish you and love you. I am so proud of the little boy that you are and all the plans that God has for you. I can't wait to watch Him continue to work in your life. Your name means 'bold', and I truly believe that you will be a bold leader for the work of Christ. I love you!!!

*On a side note, the picture of Tristan is from today, his actual birthday. He is wearing his special 'Backyardigans' birthday shirt. He is also wearing gloves because he's helping a sweet lady clean our office. He loves her and helping her. You may also notice his hair is unfixed...we haven't gotten around to that yet. :)

20 comments:

Rachael said...

Happy Birthday, Tristan! We're so blessed to know you and to see you grow over these last few years. :) You're such a sweet boy and we always look forward to the time we get to spend with you. Josiah will be calling you later!!!

Ole Miss Mom said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!!!

The Hairstons said...

Beautifully worded, Annie! I teared up reading this! Happy Birthday, sweet sweet Tristan! We love you so much!!!

Amy Kennedy said...

Happy Birthday Tristan! What a little cutie pie you have. Hope you are feeling good!!

Anonymous said...

WOW! I am actually in tears!! Doesn't happen very often by reading blogs! Happy happy birthday to Tristan! Sounds like y'all had such a fun weekend and I hope he has an extra special day!

LeAnne said...

Super sweet post, Annie!! oh my goodness, i cried, cried, cried...ryan just turned five, too...they just grow up WAY too fast:) Happy, Happy Birthday, Tristan!!

Donna said...

Precious post for a precious boy! Happy Birthday! Five is a big milestone!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

Happy Birthday to the big man! That post totally made me tear up! Sweet and caring words only a mother could write. They made my day! Love you bunches. And I hope Tristan had a great birthday.

Nathan and Rachel Greenfield said...

happy bday, tristan! what a sweetie!

Unknown said...

What a hearfelt blog post, Annie! So many of us know exactly where you are coming from right now. I, too, am wondering where my little precious preemie went and now she can figure out how to spell words by sounding them out!
Happy Birthday, Tristan! May all the ones ahead of you be blessed with family, the peace of God, and love for Him!

Brandi said...

It is so hard to believe the little man is 5! It really does go by so fast. Happy Birthday Tristan!!!

Grethel Van Epps said...

Happy Birthday Tristan! that is a beautiful post Annie!

Carrie said...

Hi Annie, I'm one of your "stalkers" from Hillary's blog. Love this post! And I love the Thursday Random Thoughts. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks these things, too!

The Writer Chic said...

Hi Annie! I came over from Hillary, and just had to say that your words to your son encouraged me tonight. I'm right in the midst of an unexpected-this-is-SO-not-a-good-time-oops pregnancy, too, so I related to your words. Thank you for sharing. I know my son/daughter to come will bless me as your Tristan has blessed you.

Amy Kennedy said...

Congrats on the mama of the week Annie! You deserve it! Let's please get together one night soon for dinner. We would love to have all of you over or we could meet somewhere-whatever is easier for y'all. Email when you have a chance! kennedyaw@vestavia.k12.al.us
Have a good night!!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Wanted to say "hello" from Hillary's blog. I hope Tristan had a great birthday. I know he'll love the having the opportunity of reading your words one day. Take care.

AngelGirl said...

Happy (late) Birthdy, tristan!! i can not believe you are already 5!! and the MAC will be 5 in a few short weeks!! we miss playing with you and love you very much!!

Matt, Carrie, Lucy and Molly Allen said...

annie, i am a "stalker" too coming over from hillary's (who i have "met" through blogs and friends in common) blog...but i am not a complete stranger...i went to troy too and we have some friends in common. i have been wanting to comment for a while and am just now doing it! this is such a sweet post to tristan! love it! i have a 4 year old girl, lucy and am expecting our 2nd little girl (i think we are very close in our pregnancies from what i can tell-i am 30 wks this week)so, annie, i am pleased to meet you, too bad it wasn't at troy....feel free to visit our blog!
carrie

MorningSong said...

Wow! Time sure does fly!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!!!!! :)

nick, robyn and taylor said...

happy belated birthday, Tristan! Annie, that was so sweet. You should print this out (if you haven't already) just in case something crazy happens to your computer or blog.