Birthday Boy

Today is Colson's SEVENTH birthday. Wow. I thought turning thirty would make me feel old. This is a bad year altogether for the age thing...

What do you say about your first born?? Are there words to describe the moment before you were a mother, to the moment after? Only mothers can understand this incredible moment. And how lucky I feel to have been able to have children. Wow, what a blessing!!

I won't bore you with the "birthing story" but I'll tell you a little bit about Colson. We started "trying" almost right away after getting married, thinking it would take a few months to get pregnant. Not so much. We were prego immediately. I still can remember Josh sitting on the bathroom floor with his head down, asking are you sure you did it right?? :) SO FUNNY!! We were not ready for that little guy quite yet, but Heavenly Father knew we needed him right then. I was six days late with Colson, and boy was that the longest week ever. He was born at 4:02 in the morning, after a decent labor, with drugs, and thankfully fairly quick.

I immediately felt like I knew what I was doing, which is a great feeling to be confident as a mother, I think that was only at the beginning, because now, well, times have changed and the confidence is slowly creeping out the window.

He's been a pleasant child, very easygoing, and is full of personality. He's my intellect, and loves all things science. He's built like his dad tall and lanky,, with an amazing aptitude for learning. He's the only one of my children that looks anything like me, no matter what anyone says!! Hallie has my personality but looks like her Grandpa Heath. He is joyful, passionate, considerate, a deep thinker, and has a spirit like no other. I've known for quite sometime that he is sensitive to spiritual things. He was 3 years old and building an alter to pray to Heavenly Father out of toilet paper. In this world where things of the world seem to be more important, like money, cars, houses, nicest clothes, etc. It's a breath of fresh air to have someone like Colson around. I know he still desires "worldly" things, and I think he's spoiled considering my upbringing, but overall the boy is quite uplifting. He treasures his friends, and misses them dearly as he's moved from place to place, he remembers Matthew, from Indiana, Katie, from Muncie, Brendan from Fort Carson, Haley, Livvy, and Emma from Cali, and Chris and Stewart from Fort Meade. How I've hated moving him away from his friends.

He's also been through more than most kids, his dad has left for Basic Training, and three deployments, totaling over 2 years. He's lived in five states in five years. And has prayed often for his dad's safety. I can't imagine carrying that burden for such a little guy. He's been a sport through it all and has even prayed for me, when things have gotten rough. He's been memorizing the Articles Of Faith, which are about our basic beliefs, and doing a great job!

I also can't not mention his ingenuity, as he's created costumes, art, and elaborate knex and lego structures.

He is also my only son, so far! Which makes him that much more special to me.

So, as I'm sitting here, making 20 key lime pies in cupcake holders for his 1st grade class, I have a smile on my face thinking about Colson and how fortunate we are that he was sent to us 7 years ago.

We love you, and happy 7th!!