Happy 4th Birthday, James Benjamin

Our first born son - how are you four years old?!  As I watch you so gently hold your new baby brother, 4 years to the date when we first held you in our arms for the first time, I can't believe how lucky we are to be your parents.

JB, you are so very smart, articulate, and inquisitive.  Your questions catch us by surprise and Daddy and I routinely give each other those wide eyes to silently ask "how in the world do we answer that!?" You don't only want to know the science and mechanics of things, but also ask very insightful and deep questions about life and people.  You are sensitive to others' feelings and also very polite.  A few weeks with Ms. Therlon and you've got "yes ma'am" and "no sir" down pat.  People always tell us how nice and kind you, and this makes us so happy.  How you treat others is so very important to us, and you make us proud!

Some of your favorite things right now:  Superheroes.  Marvel superheroes. Justice League superheroes.  And you recently discovered X-men superheros.  We read and talk a lot about superheroes! Your party next week is all superheroes.  You and your friends play superheroes. (Did I mention you like superheroes?)

You also like trucks and equipment, rescue vehicles, and shows about rescue teams (like Paw Patrol, PJ Mask, and Superwings).  You love to read, and we read lots of books, multiples times a day. We go to the library once every two weeks for new books.  Recently you've started to ask for Bible stories so we read your children's Bible a lot, too.

(your pants always fall off, skinny mini)

We've realized lately that you are fast.  And can run forever.  Future cross country runner?  You have the lean body and quick legs for it!  Daddy got you some golf clubs for your birthday present because you love to go golfing with him each week.  I hope you love to play because what a special thing for you and your Daddy.

Your little sister can annoy you (of course, she's your Sissy!), but you love to play with her and are learning to be patient with her.  You're so sweet to baby Wesley, too.  You pronounce his name "Wes-a-ley" and it's adorable.

You have  a set of friends at church that you love to play with, plus a little group at school that are your "best friends". Mac is still a best friend, too, and it's special to see you both stay so close despite distance.

There are probably a million other things I need and want to remember about you right now!!  This age is so fun, and you are so fun.  You give fierce hugs, ask how we slept in the morning, ask about our day in the evening, ask how we're doing.  I want to bottle up 4 year old JB.

However, sweet boy, you told us today (on your 4th birthday) that you can't wait to turn 5.  What!?  Can't you give us a second to enjoy our four year old??  I told you a few weeks ago that you would one day grow up and move away. You have been asking me if you could live with us forever, or maybe just build a house next to us when you're a 'grown up'.  Although I promise you that you won't want to do this when the time comes, let me go on the record to say, YES, please stay FOREVER!!!!  :)

You are so precious to us, James Benjamin.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!