My little Landon,

You’re THREE today! How in the world has time passed so quickly? I’m learning more and more as you grow that time really is a thief. It seems like just yesterday, we were bringing you home from the hospital in the same little pale yellow suit that your Daddy and Papa wore home from the hospital when they were born.

I remember studying you as a newborn. Memorizing the way your eyes fluttered in and out of sleep, the curve of your little nose, your tiny fingers and toes, the way your blonde hair sparkled in the sun (even then, and much more so now), and the way your little chest rose and fell as you breathed while snuggled up close to me. It is the honor of a lifetime to have watched you grow and develop a little personality. I still study you everyday and I’ll never stop getting to know you.

It’s like from day one, you and I have just “fit.” Two peas in a pod. Made for each other. My boy. The one who first called me “Mama,” the one who captured my heart and brought the kind of peace to my soul that I didn’t know was possible. I’ll never get over the fact that Jesus chose your Daddy and me to be your parents. It’s the hardest, but undoubtably the most rewarding and joyful job I have ever had or will ever have. We are only three years into this journey called Parenthood and I know we’re still only just getting started. Thank you so much for being so patient with us as we learn to parent in the way that the Lord would have us parent. Thank you for all the times (already) that you’ve been so quick to forgive after I’ve lost my cool and had to apologize to you. Sometimes I feel like you can see deep into my heart, almost deeper than anyone ever has before, and just understand far more than any little boy your age could possibly comprehend.

You are so special, Landon. There are so many stories I could tell. I could literally write a book (and I might one day) just telling about funny or impactful things you’ve said or done.

I love your mischievous personality. You peek around corners or hold toys behind your back with the same look in your eye that I can imagine my Paw giving his own Mama (not in a sneaky way, per-say, but with a sheepish, playful grin that literally leaves my heart in a puddle every single time). I love your tender spirit. You remember things we’ve talked about and ask me about them later. You are so concerned anytime someone is hurt and you have a gentleness that really shows such strength. When an ambulance or firetruck passes with sirens blaring, you ask if we can stop and pray. You prayed over me when I was sick just recently, and that was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I will never forget the times you’ve taken my face in your hands and said, “I am so glad you are my Mommy.” MELT MY HEART! You have such a joyful spirit. My Mama always said that when I was little, she could never punish me by sending me to time out because if she did, I’d be having a ball in time out, in my own little world. It’s the exact same way with you, little love. You love any place we go; you have fun doing whatever it is we do. To me, it’s more than just a carefree personality, it’s a contentment and peace in your spirit that just shines through in the sweetest way.

You love to eat, love to throw on your apron and chef hat and help me and Daddy in the kitchen, you love music and sing all the time, and you would stay outside from the time the sun comes up until the time it goes down if we’d let you (and some days, we just about do). I love watching you as a big brother. You stepped into the role with such sweetness and I hope that the two of you will always be close. Your little sister truly thinks you hung the moon and she’s the luckiest girl in the world to have you as her big brother. You’re a snuggler, especially with me, and I savor every minute of you reaching to me for comfort because I know one day you’ll be grown and won’t do it anymore. You say the funniest things and I have a running list of the most hilarious things you call everyday objects (for instance, doughnuts are “nonuts,” band aids are “daids,” umbrellas are “rainbrellas,” and your beloved cowboy boots are “cowboots.”). You love your little red tricycle from Grammy and Grumps, your big red firetruck and grand piano from GaGa, and your red barn and horses from Mimi and Papa. You love playing in the pool in our backyard. Your Papa just recently fixed up your Daddy’s first bike with training wheels and you learned to ride it in no time at all and my heart is still a puddle in the floor over it. There is such redeeming love in you and your Papa’s relationship and I’ll never stop thanking Jesus for it. You look so big riding a big boy bike and it’s hard to imagine you teaching your own little boy to ride it someday, but that’s what I pray for. I’ve prayed for the woman you’ll marry someday and the kind of Daddy you’ll be since before you were born, and it’s my heart’s greatest desire that you will choose to follow Jesus every day of your life and live your life to honor Him.

You are a big helper and do lots of chores, like bringing me the bathroom trash cans when it’s time to take the trash out, helping us carry in groceries, helping me move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, cleaning up toys, bringing me diapers and wipes for your sister, and feeding Kai Kai every morning. You learned three Bible verses before your third birthday, starting with the first Bible verse I memorized as a child:

“When you are cheerful, you feel good.” Proverbs 17:22

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17

I am so proud of you, Little Bear, and I am so glad I’m your Mommy. Your Daddy and I love all 32 pounds of you more than you’ll ever know! Happy Birthday!

I’ll love you forever, and always more than the day before.

Love,

Mama