Seriously 6???

...I do this every year, sit here on the night before your birthday and think about the year that has just past and I marvel at how amazing you are!  I cry, I laugh and then I am just filled with such joy because you are who you are; perfect in so many ways!!!

Physical strength does not always make a strong person, you prove that time and time again.  If other people had half your strength, this world would be made up of a lot of really spectacular men and women.  You are so full of joy; anyone who has played with you and heard you giggle would agree; you are infectious!  Your smile warms right to my heart and can make a hard day seem insignificant.

You endure more than anyone should ever have to but yet you do it with a grace and joy that is unexplainable.  You roll with the hard things life has thrown and you smile through all of it; we could all learn a lot from you.

You may not have ever spoken a word yet you have changed the lives of so many just by being you!  You are a miracle, you are wonderfully made and you teach me new things everyday.

This year was a big year.  You did so well at school and I was so proud of you.  You made great friends, you learned new things, you worked towards lots of goals and successfully completed them.  You are an inspiration.

I love you son, more than you will ever know. ...here is where the tears begin...deep breath... The day you were born my life changed in ways I could never imagined.  I found a capacity within myself to love and live like I never did before.  You brought such joy and you completed our family!  You made me dig deep into my faith, deep into my relationships, deep into my heart and what I found was extreme love.  Love for God first off, love for our family and community of loved ones and such rich love for you.  You have made me a better person.  Life may have brought its unexpected challenges, its surprises, its joys, its immense blessings and its disappointments, but I would never trade any of it.  Your strength and ease with life always amazes me.  You seldom complain, even when you have the right to.  You are everything I ever hoped for and so much more.  You will always be my monkey, my snuggle buddy and my favorite little boy.  I adore you and could not imagine life without you.

My prayer for this coming year continues to be for healing of your body and just as your sister prays over you every night "that he may walk and crawl and play with me".  I pray that you can continue to love and embrace life and all that comes your way.  That you would have new adventures and new dreams fulfilled.  That you would continue to be a joy to those around you; smiling and laughing, waving and giving high fives to anyone who comes your way.  May you find less limitations in life and more open doors.  I pray that you will continue to fulfill the large purpose that God has for your life; you are an overcomer!  I love you Karter James, you will always hold my heart!  Happy Birthday my boy!

Love Mama