Letter to my one year old

My Dearest Ian,
Monday was your last day as an eleven month old. It was your last day as a baby really. You went to bed a baby...

...and woke up as a one year old!

You have grown and changed so much in the last year! It is true that time has flown. I remember that day in the hospital like it was yesterday. I remember not being able to control the happy tears that came to my eyes when I held you for the first time and knew that life would never be the same.

I am so glad that the Lord has blessed me with this time with you. I pray everyday He reminds me that you are His and gives me the strength and wisdom I need to be the godly mother that you need. I pray that you will always see the love of the Lord in me and my life.

Spending your birthday with you was so much fun. I could have stood for a little warmer weather but maybe next year! I hope and pray that I get many birthdays with you to take you out to explore the world and see God's creation. You are such an easy going little guy and I am so grateful. You go with the flow and everybody loves you! I pray that you keep that quality because it makes being your mommy not only easy but just plain fun!

I love that you enjoy being outside. I think you would stay outside all day if I let you. I am looking forward to warmer weather and more time to play outside. It is so much fun to watch you explore and test things out.

Now that you are walking really well on your own- I have no doubt that soon I will be chasing you all over the yard. But as long as you are smiling, that is fine with me. Your smile warms my heart more than you will ever know. I cherish the moments that you look at me and smile real big. Never stop smiling son, even when life is screaming at you to do otherwise.

Always enjoy your life. Each moment, whether good or bad will bring about a teachable moment. Take it, learn from it, and grow from it. You will have moments where it seems like the whole world is against you- but God is on your side and He is all you need. He loves you far more than I do, which is hard to imagine. He is your rock and even though I will do whatever I can for you- He will be there when I can't be there. So I pray you learn to look to him, not me.

I am excited to see what the next year holds for us. I know there will be challenges as you begin to learn right from wrong. Please know that it is because I love that I will punish you. It is because I love you that I will tell you no when you need to hear it. It is because I love you that I will give you rules and structure in your life. It is because I love you that I will always give you more kisses than you want, hug you longer than you want, read you a story before bed, stare at every little feature about your sweet face, and play with you often!

Do you see how much you have changed already? More changes are on the way and I promise to try to keep it together as you grow more independent and want to do things on your own. I promise I will try not to cry when those moments come- but no guarantees! You are such a sweet boy and I am so thankful for all the wonderful people we have in our life that have helped raised you so far. It is true that it takes a village son, and we got a great one! I love you and pray for you! Enjoy this next year of your life and just ignore that tear rolling down your mom's cheek as you continue to become the boy God has called you to be.
Love Always,
Mom