Jayden turns seven!

 

Hey Buddy,

Happy seventh birthday! It’s amazing watching you grow into such an active and busy boy. This has been a special year--the year you learned to swim without your life vest, the year you started devouring books (especially The Big Book of Knowledge with your mom before bed), learned to ride a bike even with a coordination disorder, excelled at ninja warrior, and the year you showed just how much love you have to give — especially to any dog that comes within petting distance!

Your love of Pokémon runs deep, and I love how confident you are when you tell me about your favorite characters and Pokémon trainers-- it may be your favorite topic of conversation. You also showed such a gentle heart this year when we had little Logan with us until he went to live with his pre-adoptive parents. 

Jayden, my prayer for you this year is that you keep learning how to be a good friend at school and to your siblings. When you are in a good place with them, it is the sweetest, but that can turn on a dime, and I would love for you to feel confident enough in yourself to step away for a few minutes, and then come back to reengage.

I hope you keep flashing that sly, sweet smile as much as your face allows before your cheeks get tired, and laughing out loud at movies on long car trips, or at potty humor in a book you are reading. You love to be silly, try to tell jokes, and love to wrestle, and be tickled.

I am hoping that in the coming year we can figure out how to help handle your occasional emotions rollercoaster--even when you’re feeling really mad. I am here for the journey and to walk alongside you.

Love you always and I am so proud of you,
Dad

 

 

Jayda turns Seven

My Sweet Jayda,

Seven. I can hardly believe it. Somehow you keep growing right before my eyes taller every day, and your loud, joyful laugh fills every room. You shine, Jayda, not just because of your beautiful long, curly hair, but because of the way you bring joy and energy wherever you go. Your pants are basically for one day use, given all the time you spend sliding and crawling as part of your play time.

This year, you learned to swim without your life vest, ride a bike, and embraced reading. I love watching you take so much pride and accomplishment as you have learned. You and Jayden have shared so many sweet moments together, playing with Magna-Tiles or building forts together, or looking over each other’s shoulders at a book.

You were especially welcoming for little Logan when he came into our home. The way you cared for him showed such big-sister love- joyful, and full of heart.

My prayer for you this year is that you’ll keep learning how to navigate those big feelings that sometimes seem bigger than you are, and that you’ll discover how strong and kind you can be even when plans change, or things don’t go perfectly, or friends don’t follow your leadership. And please keep giving those running hugs that fill people up with love, but give them a heads up, especially if they are over 75, so you don’t knock them over! The world needs every single one of them.

I am so proud to be your dad.

Love,
Dada