Happy Birthday to Ben

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, You live in a zoo, You look like a monkey, and you smell like one too!

I thought I would start with that since that is what you would like everyone to sing to you today. This is surprisingly very hard for your momma to do. You are growing up, getting so big. In just a few months you will be going to "big school". I find that I am very sad. I love that you are growing into a loving, caring, thoughtful, creative, and smart boy. I am sad only because I can see the next five years slipping through my fingers, and then the next, and then the next. By that time you will be a man, and to think it all started on February 3, 2004.

You were born at 5:30am, little did we know that this would be your waking time for the rest of your days. You were 7lbs 11oz and 21 inches long. You did not make a sound when you were born. I was so scared. We had tried for so long to have you and I was afraid there was something wrong. I sent your daddy over to check on you to make sure you were okay. He brought you back to me and you were absolutely the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I fell instantly in love with you. Over the next few days I could not stop staring at you. You were just so beautiful. We brought you home and Daphne became your dog. She watched over you and would come and get us if you cried for even a moment. Then the Saturday after you were born it snowed. We took you out to show you. It was so beautiful and I will never forget because it was your first Valentine's Day.

You grew and grew. I got pregnant with your sister when you were nine months old. I was a little worried how you would take the whole thing, but you were so excited when we finally got to bring her home. You brought her her first doll and fell in love with her instantly.

The next year was difficult with your sister. I feel like I didn't even get to see you much. I missed you so, and you kept growing. Then the next year we really started to be comfortable together as a family. We took our first vacation and swim lessons, you had your birthday at Chuck E Cheese, because that is the only thing you wanted.

The next year we went to Sea World, and you are still talking about how much fun that you had. We had your birthday at a bouncy house place and everyone you knew came to celebrate with you.

This year has been full of firsts for you too. You have started to read, you love to play games, you love your friends, and you love God.

For this last one I am especially thankful. Your relationship with God has grown this year more than I would have ever expected. I love how you are constantly working on each of the fruits of the spirit, and how you want to memorize your memory verse each week, even if it is for candy!

On your fifth birthday I have so many things that I want to tell you, so many memories that I want to recount, but this would go on and on and even you would get tired of reading it. So here are a few things I want you to know and remember always.

• I love you more than you will ever know. Yes, I love you more!
• Your daddy loves you more than you will ever know. But, I love you more! ;)
• You will always have a safe place to fall when you step out on the ledge of life.
• We will always catch you.
• God is always there for you. If He is for you, who can be against you!
• Always pray, and pray hard because Jesus is always listening and He will always protect you.
• Remember that even though you think right now you want to live with us forever, we will understand when you want to move away, but we will always miss you and welcome you home again.
• You are a precious child of God and He loves you more than you will ever comprehend.
• Always remember who you are.
• Chase your dreams, whatever they may be...rock star...captain america...batman...reach for the stars...you can be whatever you want to be.