A Fifth Birthday Thank You

For several years now I’ve been writing love letters to my trio on their birthday.

I get so nostalgic every year – I start looking at their fourth year pictures and notes, the third year, and the second year (which was the first year I had a blog on their birthday!) and am both excited and totally sad that the trio is turning FIVE.

I still want each one to know how madly in love I am with each of them, but I also want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the people who got us to this day – this day where we celebrate five years with these bright, funny, crazy little humans.  So from the bottom of my heart, let me express my thanks in the best way I can cobble together with words – even though they will never be enough:

To the five weeks of NICU nurses, or angels as the case was for us, especially Nurse Melissa who saved our little man on the Monday morning after he was born on Friday afternoon;

To the ten weeks of the most gracious night nurse, Jenny, who saved me and soothed and loved at 2 am and teed each baby up for healthy eating and sleeping habits that remained with us;

To the five years of the most loving and steadfast nanny, Maria, who enabled me to go back to work knowing that the children were loved and cared for and entertained and all the while kept our house in the middle of the melee;

To the now-going-on four years of teachers from MDUMC to Holy Spirit that have taught our children about letters and numbers but more importantly about kindness and faith;

To the fun aunts and uncles (both blood related and otherwise) that have been a constant presence in their lives, from Aunt Catherine taking little bit on innumerable horseback rides, to Uncle Caleb diving in the pool with the boys with his jeans still on, to Aunt Mary coming with zoo memberships and lunches to keep us all sane;

To the grandparents who have loved each child with abandon, from surprise packages from Gaby and Papa, to unlimited swings and tractor rides at the farm with Grandmother and Grandfather, and a Mimi on call 24/7 for five years for everything from middle of the night ER runs to date nights for mommy and daddy;

To the best partner that I can imagine walking this crazy triplet path with, I love you more today than I did the day we got married over eight years ago;

To all the hundreds of people who prayed tirelessly, brought food, did laundry, sent presents, came to parties and baptisms, and all the things I can’t even remember now because I had kids;

And to a God, a Heavenly Father that gives more than we could ever ask or imagine, that heard my cries night after night for years as I begged to be a mommy – that you would give me these three precious gifts moves me to tears maybe more now, now that I know who they are and who they could be, than it did that day in March when we saw those two pink lines on those three pregnancy tests (not even realizing the irony at the time).  There still are no words to express how this was the best singular gift I have ever been given and I only pray every day that I might grow worthy of those with whom You have entrusted me.

S – You keep moving at your own pace my love.  It sets you apart.  It makes you intentional.  Differences are good.  And in a world of increasing attempts to be the same as others, I love how you march to the beat of your own drummer.  You are such a love and I am going to work to be more patient as we learn what God has in store for you.

L – Don’t ever stop dancing precious one.  Keep your paints out, the music up, and the wind in your hair.  You are bold and brave and will dance through life if you refuse to let people stop you.  Be kind.  Let’s love others well together as we seek God’s confidence in your heart tempered by His compassion.

W – Allow all of those emotions to grow and mature so that you can keep everyone laughing or care for those in need.  It is rare to see such emotional depth in a young boy, and they will allow you empathy and understanding as you mature.  Let your strong work ethic and discipline also govern the harder emotions to manage as we pray that God will use what you learn and feel to help others.

Happy Fifth Birthday – You Are The Gifts!