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. :)