Dear Joseph

Hello, blog world. This post was written on my son's birthday which was September 22nd. I am finally getting around to adding pictures and posting it! Regular blogging is resuming, starting NOW!

Dear Joe Joe,

 Today you turned three. Three years old, in my opinion, is the official graduation from baby-hood to little boy. When you're two you can still be considered a baby, but not three. Tomorrow you'll go into Sunday school for your first time, because you'll be too old for the nursery. This makes Mommy a little sad but I'm excited for you and I know that you'll love it.

 your last night being 2

 This morning we woke you up very early so that you could go on your promised golfing trip with daddy. He was going with some people from work and since it was your birthday, he wanted to take you. Mommy dressed you in a cute polo and khaki shorts and you ate a doughnut for breakfast to give you a little sugar buzz to start off your special day.

Daddy and I were nervous that you would be distracting to the people trying to play golf and that you would eventually get bored and tired during some hole of the 18. However, daddy said you couldn't have been better. You had a small putter and ball that you would play with at each hole. You were quiet and well behaved and the girls loved you, as usual, and some times you went near the tree line to look at the squirrels. Mommy missed you when you were gone, but I recognize the fact that you are getting older and will be doing more with daddy now. Even though you are my little boy, the fact that you have an awesome dad that wants to spend time with you makes me so happy. Good dads are hard to find, but you are blessed with the best one out there.

 You fell asleep in the car on the way home and were sleepy when you came home, but perked right up when you got in the door. I was so happy to see you and gave you a special lunch. "I made you a 'J' out of marshmallows and chocolate," I said, and you eyes lit up. I hugged you and kissed you while you ate and at one point you put your arm around my neck, pulled my face close to yours, and kissed me on the cheek. Then you held me there, our faces touching, and I almost cried from happiness. You are the sweetest little boy I have ever met. You thrive off of hugs, kisses and extra attention, and Mommy and Daddy recognize that your love language is physical touch.

 After lunch we put you in your room for a little nap so you would be ready for your big birthday dinner later, but since you slept in the car, you of course did not fall asleep. You played and read in your room for a while and eventually came downstairs and played while Mommy finished dinner.

 Your dinner request was macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and chips, Vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, and black ice cream with nuts and marshmallows (rocky road :). There was not one green to be found on the table, a kids dream for sure! Uncle Pat and his friend Dave came to help you celebrate, and Trinity was spending the weekend with us.

 Present time was fun because we got to skype with Poppy, Nonnie and your Aunts. You also received calls from Uncle Greg and Aunt Claire and Aunt Anna who was in Romania. They loved seeing you open all of your presents and singing happy birthday to you. It was really special!

 After presents and cake we all headed outside so you could play with your new toys and go for rides on the scooter. It was hard to tell who loved your remote control truck more, you or the big boys.

Before prayer, you said you were thankful for Mommy and Daddy, Uncle Pat and your prizes. You loved your birthday and I loved making it special for you.

The main word I can think of to describe you is "zealous". You are zealous in everything that you do, and my prayer is that you will channel that for God someday and do great things for him. If not channeled right, your life could be ruined, but you could also turn the world upside down for Jesus with your zeal. Mommy prays all the time for this, and that I would help you along the way to stay in the right path with your eyes on the Lord.

 You said at bedtime that you didn't want to have a "birthday sleep", but just a regular sleep, so I kissed you and said that was fine. You are sleeping now and Mommy feels a little sad that your big day is over, because it means I have to face the fact that you are a little bit older and that the days are flying by. For now I'm just happy that you'll still cuddle with me and unashamedly give me big hugs and kisses, and that you are now my favorite three year old. Mommy loves you.