My Dear Boy Preston,
I have been thinking long and hard about this post since your birthday last month. My feelings for you are complicated and delicate and beautiful. I love you more than anything. You push me to the limits and beyond what I think I can handle sometimes. What you really want, and have always wanted from me is respect, honor, and love. You keep me accountable in every word and action. You teach me continually about what it means to live true to who God made you to be. You are a precious and beautiful soul.
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| I still see this look on your face sometimes! |
I remember the moments of your birth and the wide range of emotions I felt. Nothing prepared me for the moment I would meet you here on earth. I knew in that moment that even though I had no idea how, I would do everything in my power to keep you from harm, to guide and love and nurture you and show you the way back to God. Our adjustment to life as a family of three was taxing on each of us; Daddy and I, but somehow hardest for you. I cried a lot those first months as you did. Yet we loved you so deeply. I wanted so desperately to find a way to calm you and help you sleep. You made us giggle and laugh so much too. Your thirst to learn everything and do it yourself was apparent even then. Sometimes you would give me a knowing look and I would literally feel like you knew so much more than I could ever hope to teach you. I think you have always been a deep thinker. I would look for hours at your tiny hands. I wondered what they would be and what they would do.
We did a lot of late night pacing the floors ---and I sang to you --it never seemed to calm you, but it calmed me so I did it anyway. When I was calm, I could feel what a powerful force you carried and how strong your spirit is. Sometimes even now in the middle of the night I wake and tiptoe to your bed just to lay beside you. As I listen to you breathe, I feel the power of who you are and I feel the intensity of your strong spirit. I feel in my heart you were meant to do great things. Even if the world never knows of it, I know God has an important mission for you to fill.
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| Where did my baby go? |
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| Getting ready for church :) |
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| I still cannot get enough of your million dollar smile! |
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| You and your best friend are always up to something silly! |
Here are a few pictures of some moments from the last year. I didn't quite get them all in order, but here you go!
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| You still haven't given up Ted. I know I will cry when you do. |
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| You outgrew this bike and so here we were getting it ready to paint it up for Sis! |
You were SO ready to go to Kindergarten!
Here you were at Preschool Graduation last spring. I was sitting right behind you and I was glad you couldn't see me wipe away a tear or two. It is both wonderful and awful to see you grow up :)
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| Getting bigger! |
You take your school work pretty seriously. Here was a family homework assignment to disguise this Turkey so he would not be eaten for Thanksgiving Dinner. You thought making him into Santa was the best joke! You have a well developed sense of humor and you love to laugh.
Checking out the sign in Preston, Idaho. You were not named for this town, your name came because we liked it and it seemed to fit you. I wasn't 100% sure until I met you though :) Now I think it is the most perfect name in the world for you!
With your ever ready partner in crime!
Sometimes you sneak into the kitchen and get yourself a late night snack. Drives me crazy!
Playing with Dad at Chuck E Cheese. (I am not sure if you were having more fun or he was!)
Loving the parks as you always have!
Gaining more independence: This says, "Plees Doo Not Cum in"
Your clever idea for "Crazy Hat Day"
Another Park Day
Spring Soccer. So fun to see you grow!
And Now For The Celebration of 6:
Your reading gets better everyday!
The Skype party with Grandma and Grandpa Hill. You Love the new books!
Getting ready for the Red Plate dinner. Since your birthday party with friends included dinner on your actual birthday, we did your favorite the night before. This year you chose Hawaiian Haystacks.
On our way to lunch with Daddy. He also gave you a tour of the warehouse where he works. We saw gigantic ropes and shackles and a whole lot of other things. Rebekah was most impressed (as she always is) with the "Pink Bob the Builder Hat".
Finishing up our lunch and tour with a treat at Daddy's office.
Let the madness begin! 10 kids total: we made light-sabers and did a few "Jedi Training" exercises. Here you were trying to keep your balloons in the air with the light sabers.
Here you were practicing dueling and popping bubbles with the light sabers.
Thank goodness Dad came home an hour early to help me! Here you are playing Tug of War!
The Un-freezing Han Solo Relay Race
Building "Galactic Pizzas"
Eating "Galactic Pizzas", and "Force Food" (Carrots and broccoli)
I think I missed taking photos of your Cupcakes and Rootbeer floats! I was a little busy!
Lots of super nice gifts from many nice friends. You are special :)
After your friends left we did the final game "Destroy the Death Star" with water balloons.
It is amazing to watch you grow and change. I love you with all of my heart. Thank you for helping me to be a better Mother. You teach me so much each day.
Love,
Mom
