Last single digit year for our "single"

You are 9 and you say it with the biggest smile ever. I asked you why you're so exciting to turn 9 and you giggled and said I don't really know. It just goes along with your enthusiasm for life. You continue to be happy majority of the time with a good fit thrown in occasionally for good measure. You are growing up faster that I want you too but I have learned that I can not slow down the years. You love life, you love being with others, you have patience for those who are younger than you and you still love to spend time with your mama.

You have been an easy child for me since the day you were born. Going from 2 to 3 was a piece of cake. The main reason being that from day one you just went along with the flow. It is nothing that Mom and Dad did, it is simply your personality. You have a tendency to get along with everyone whether it's your classmates at school, your teammates on the ball field or your brothers and sisters. You don't have favorites but instead you divide and conquer because you are often wanted by many siblings at the same time. You will go jump with Tate for a while on the trampoline, then you will go swim with Kenzie and then you're back to playing catch with Tate. Seldom do we see you off playing by yourself unless you are overtired and then everyone drives you nuts. A tired Drew means a Drew that is not fun to be around and who is in tears.

You continue to be my child who loves sports. You give it your all every time you are out on the field. Never is it too hot or too long or are you losing by too much that it is no longer fun. You are always out there with a smile on your face and a cheer for your team. We don't agree in participation awards in our family but, you son, always deserve an award for giving it your all. I pray you will always keep this attitude whenever it comes to anything competitive because it will take you far.

Last month you celebrated your 1st communion. This was a day you had been looking forward to for over a year. Around Christmas you started counting down each Sunday and we could see your excitement build as the day got closer and closer. The morning of your communion you came downstairs and you couldn't wait to put on your suit because today was the day you were receiving Jesus through the Eucharist. Even Father Phil talked about your enthusiasm in his homily and how as adults we often forget how amazing it is that each Sunday we receive Christ. I don't think for a minute you were nervous and instead realized how important the sacrament was that you were taking part in. When you got back to the pew though you did tell me the host tasted like paper and the wine like vinegar! Drew, I was so proud of you that Sunday and I do pray that you will always remember that Jesus is with you.

Nine years passes so quickly. I still remember when Natalie and Aubrey came to the hospital the very first time to see their Bop-Bop and now here we are in your final year of being single digits. I wonder if becoming two digits will be as exciting for you as it was for your sisters. But for now we are just going to hang out here and see what the year 9 has in store for you. Love you Drew Bear and thank you for not being embarrassed yet that I call you this in front of your friends and I know this for a fact because you wanted it written on your name tag at Vacation Bible School this week!!

Happy 9th Birthday Drew