Dear Carson,
Tomorrow you turn 8 years old! You have been counting down the days in eager anticipation of your big day. I love your enthusiasm because it spreads to every single cell of your body. Your joy is infectious and one of my very favorite things about you.
Sometimes you will just randomly declare, "I love my life!" And my heart just swells. It is what every parent wants to hear from their child. I hope you hold onto this happiness and contentment for your whole life.
Every day you tell me that you love me. You tell me all throughout the day. And while hearing that never gets old, I hope I never take those words for granted. You are quick to love and you love fully and completely, without reservation. You are loyal and a true friend to everyone. You are so popular at school and that makes me proud. The
reason why this makes me proud is because you are well-liked at school because of how kind and inclusive you are. Your teachers have told me how they put new kids in the seat next to you because they know you will be friendly and include them immediately.
You fiercely love your family.
ALL of us. You regularly call Grammy on the phone and you play online games with your "big cousins." You talk about wanting to visit Florida and Maryland and Virginia so you can see everyone. You love your big brother and you are so sweet to him
(most of the time). You love having Julia and Nathan living with us and you want them included in everything we do. You are family-focused and I have no doubt that you will be the glue that holds the family together one day.
On Wednesday May 20, 2020 you made a very big and important and
life-changing decision. It was an answer to the prayer that has been in my heart since the moment you were born. On that night, we laid in your bed and you prayed, in your own sweet words, to repent of your sins and to ask Jesus to come into your heart. What a precious moment I will never forget. You have always been sensitive to the holy spirit, and for most of your life you have had a very real love for Jesus. You ask intuitive questions and you are so sincere. What an exciting day! I thank God for you and your new life in Him.
For this year, the word I am praying over you is
faithfulness. I pray this year that you continue to learn and grow in this new faith. That you study God's Word and keep asking questions, and learn to share your faith and love of God with others.
Carson, you are such a gift to me. Thank you for loving me even when I mess up. You are so quick to extend forgiveness and you always make me want to be a better mom. You are encouraging and uplifting and funny and smart. And handsome, of course.
It is a privilege to be your mom and I am so very lucky to have you.
I love you more than you will ever know.
Happy birthday!
Love,
Mama
