Raising Shepherds: Dane is 3!!!

I can't believe it. Dane is 3 years old! His birthday was this last Friday, and it was a great day. Zach's mom and her husband Ron came out to visit that weekend as well. And it was great to see them!

First thing on Friday morning, Zach took Dane on a special date to Dunkin Donuts for a birthday donut. They had a great time, and I'm so glad they got to have that special time together. Then they came back, and he opened up a few gifts from us. Then we got ready and headed over to a friend's birthday party. It was acutally kind of fun to go to a birthday party on his birthday. It was a batman party, and the kids got to wear their capes... and Zach dressed up like Batman. It was hilarious- the kids LOVED it. After a few minutes, and a picture of all the kids, dads, and Batman, Batman mysteriously disappeared, and Zach came out of the bathroom. :) They did a pinata, cupcakes, a game, decorated candy bags, and went swimming. The kids had a blast! Then we came home for nap time. After that, we opened up a present from Grandma Bonnie (one of the many- she's so wonderful, she even got a little something for Teda and Jett)- a sword, helmet, shield, and breastplate set- so awesome. Dane has been sleeping with his sword under his pillow now because his friend Cole does that. It's pretty cute. He's all about his sword. So then we headed over to Ron's brother's house, to have dinner with Zach's mom and Ron, and his family. That was so great to see everyone, and spend some time with Teda and Ron (aka Grammy and Poppie).

I haven't ever done this, but I'd like to start writing letters to my kiddos each year on their birthdays, then they have a letter from each year- sort of summarizing the year and what they were like, etc. So here goes!

Dear Dane,
It's hard to believe you're three years old! This has been such a fun year! I'm so proud of you. Proud of you because you're you. Proud to be your mommy, and so thankful to God that He gave you to us, that we can love you, and do our best to show you how much God loves you. He has big plans for you, and I can't wait to watch them unfold. Already He's used you in so many ways, to touch our lives- and all that you come in contact with. You're the sweetest, most sensitive, loving, funny, snuggly, polite, and happy kid ever. You're smile and your laugh is contagious, and it brings joy to whoever you're around. You're content just being in our arms, with your little camoflauge blankie and sucking your thumb, and that is the coolest thing ever. You love your sister and brother so much, and I love it when you talk about them as "My Teda" or "My Jett" or when you tell me Jett is your best friend (and then when it turns into an argument because Teda says he's her best friend too. Or when you talk about Teda as your princess, and make it your mission many days to rescue your princess. This past year, some of your favorite things have been to be at Grandmas and Papas house- having snacks, watching Shrek, snugging with grandma, and swinging with Papa and helping him make a shake for you, Teda and Jett (or doing just about anything with Papa, you love him SO much), and going to JoJo's pizza with Papa to get pizza for dinner. You also love to rock out in the car with mommy and daddy- you like Journey, Led Zepplin, and Jordin Sparks. You love playing with Teda, and sometimes you "marry" her by hugging her- that's just so sweet when you do that! You were the ring bearer in JoJo and JuJu's wedding just a few weeks ago, and you did great. You loved that you got to wear a tuxedo. You really danced it up on the dance floor that night too with your daddy! You're really into your sword right now, and also really enjoy going to Oasis Gym for jumping on the trampolines, doing the balance beam, and jumping in the big foam pit. You say, "Can we go to da gym?" You would give Teda or anyone else the shirt off your back if they said they needed it- you're just so generous and loving. You love Jett so much, and can't wait for him to be big enough and strong enough to wrestle with you- you try everyday to wrestle with him, and he's just not quite ready yet- he just mostly screams at you until you let go or I have to help you let go. :) You call Teda "Teya", and it just melts my heart each time you say her name. We call you "Daney", and you call Jett "Jett Jett" (well, we all do!). You LOVE to wrestle with your daddy- you say, "Wets wock up dad!" (let's lock up, dad!) as soon as he gets in the door from work some days, and you tell people you don't even know that you and your dad "wock up", and one time at church, you even went and got your daddy to show this little boy how to lock up. It was priceless. You have a calous on your thumb from sucking it all the time, and I'm in no hurry to make you stop- it's just too cute. You love to have your blanket cold before naps, and ask me to put it in the freezer. :) If we ever can't find your camoflauge blanket (you call it your other blanket), then you'll settle for what you call your "best blanket", which is another one that's blue and brown. Nothing else will do. Some of the shows you like watching are "Super Why", "Hi-5", "Saved By the Bell" (Daddy got you into that one- how fun!), and "The Electric Company". You like the movie "Bedtime Stories", but are scared of the "Booger Monster" at the end. You love fruits and veggies, and most of the time will leave the sandwich before you'll leave the fruit on your plate. Almost every morning this past year, you had a peanut butter and honey sandwich for breakfast. This summer, you, me, and Teda got to go meet Daddy up at summer camp in Prescott with the 4th-6th graders from our church. We stayed for two days, and you had a BLAST climbing all over the rocks, going on a hike, swimming, singing with the big kids (you learned the song and all the motions to a worship song "Lay your hands on me God...Lift me up and make me strong.......Show me Your way... won't You heal me today... You're love is so real.. and the feelings I feel... words just won't say... how You've touched me today..." The other day you told me God is in our hearts, and God will protect us from the bad guys. Yes He will, and yes He is in our hearts, baby. And I'm SO grateful! Just thinking about you just makes my heart swell with joy. I love you, Daney. :)
Love,
Mommy