It's great to be 8!

Dear Little "D",

It won't be appropriate to call you that too much longer as today is your 8th birthday! I know I have told you many times about the feelings I had on the day you were born, but I will always continue to tell you. When I was pregnant with you, the Dr. thought there were going to be some difficulties with the formation of some of your vital organs. For many weeks we worried what your struggles in life would be and whether or not we would be able to help you thrive in life. Through much prayer we knew that whatever challenges you would have we would support you , help you and make sure you would thrive in life.

As I lay very pregnant watching the horrific tragedy of 9.11 I worried again how I could bring a child into a world of such uncertainty. I worried about my future son going off to war or growing up to protect our freedoms in our country.

Then the day came. You were born at 11:29 am after they told me you would not be out until dinner time. As I held you in my arms, perfectly formed with no problems whatsoever, all my worries disappeared. For I knew I had met another love of my life!

After learning all was well, the first thing we noticed was your head of jet black hair. It was so different from your sister and dad. I knew then that you and I would be quite a pair! Then we noticed that same black hair on your ears and on your back and we nicknamed you "hairy back monkey".

For your first few years of life I worked full time as a teacher. I did not know you would be my last baby. Oh, if I would've know that then I would've stared more at your sleeping head, pinched those chubby (often rosy) cheeks, and kissed the back of your soft neck more often.
From the time I can remember you have loved to learn about things! At the age of one you were intrigued by guitars. Your uncle would give you guitar picks to play his guitar with. You have always loved airplanes and still love going to visit the aircraft carrier. It seems you have had military blood since the day you were born.

What a great brother you are to your sister. At times she treats you unkind and you do not act very princely to her, but I know you love eachother. I know that in your heart you consider her your very best friend and love her very much. I know that she loves you very much too. I know you will be close for the rest of your life!

You have such a way with people. Those who come in contact with you love you! You are funny! You are bright! You are very, very creative & you are kind to so many people! You make me feel loved just by smiling at me. I love that when we walk side by side you still put your hand in mine without even thinking about it. I love that you kiss me goodbye every single day! I know that one day soon you will stop doing that in pubic and my heart will break.
You have quite a future a head of you , Mr. Bottom! I don't know where you got Stanford stuck in your head, but I wish you all the luck in your dreams and goals. You've talked about going to space, becoming an inventor, becoming a mechanical engineer, and a fighter pilot. I know that you will be successful in all you do! You read Harry Potter this summer and your confidence soared! You can do whatever you want to do!
In just a couple of weeks you will make a life-long decision. Dad and I are so proud that you have not taken this decision lightly. We know you have prayed and pondered and have felt a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that you are making the right choice. I know you will continue to choose the right and you will be blessed for it.

D, I love you and am so grateful for you in my life! You are quite an 8 year old. I only wish I could stop time and keep you my little guy for a while longer. But how sellfish that would be. There are so many wonderful adventures that lie ahead of you. I can't wait to stand by and support you in all of them!

Happy Birthday & I love you!

Love,

Mom