Happy birthday to the most special boy I have ever known. I can honestly say I fall in love with you more and more every single day. I love your voice, your laugh, your sweet sweet smile and words. You are so smart, and you are such a hard worker. I asked you the other day if you came from heaven, without skipping a beat, you said "yes, momma." Oh such sweet goodness.
This has been such a big year for you angel, you started your new school....you love your sweet teachers and all of your new friends. You have grown in so many ways, you have started playing baseball ALL of the time, you are doing swimming and you love tennis and all things boy. You even look like a big boy, that's a tough one for your momma.
You continue to touch more people than you will ever know. You are truly one of God's greatest gifts I have ever seen. I love you and I will always love you with all of my heart. I pray that you will continue to praise Him and become the boy He wants you to be. I pray He will protect you and bring you as much happiness as you have brought all of us.
The other day in car on the way home I told you and Tinky that there are 3 things I want you to try for everyday first-love and obey Jesus, let that be your guide, secondly-work hard and third be kind. You are already working on these my angel...keep up the good work! You make me so incredibly proud.
I thought a long time about your birthday wishes for this year. There are so many special things about you sweet boy....but here are just 6 with one to grow on of course!
1. Try new things and adventures. You are brave and fearless, Murphy. You continue to amaze me at all of the things you just jump in and do. Don't worry if there is something new, or something that you haven't mastered. Sometimes things may seem scary at first, turn out to be the most fun. Go for it Murph! You can do it! And its ok if it takes you a few times to figure it out...you have so much determination-have faith you can and will do it!
“Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 1 Samuel 14:7
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
2. Share your joy with everyone everywhere. Your sweet smile and they way you encourage others is unreal. Without giving it a thought you say hi and goodbye to everyone you see. You make my heart warm and you truly light up the room wherever you are. Be yourself and others will have a glimpse at true joy.
"A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed." Proverbs 15:13
3. Always remember your manners. Murphy, your manners are so precious. You always say thank you, good job, you're welcome, and if anyone sneezes or (coughs) and you hear it, you always say "bless you." It's so wonderful. We are working on ma'am and sir...and saying "I'm sorry" in a nice voice. Keep it up, sweet boy...good manners will take you places.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:5-6
4. Love Fearlessly. Not everyone is going to love you back the way you deserve, Murphy. It's a hard thing to come to terms with and its certainly no fun when you get your feelings hurt (and to be honest if I have a say it won't be any fun for the person who hurts you...but thats another blog for another day.)
You are kind, and inclusive and it's infectious. Be an example of how we should love each other. You are so good at making everyone feel special...always remember that you are a rockstar and you make people feel like rock stars. Your presence has such an amazing effect on people...never forget that. Keep your eyes and heart on Jesus and you will know love like nothing on this earth can show you.
"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." Luke 6:22
5. Work Hard. Recently I was reading a devotional and it said, "sometimes all you have to do is focus on two things-work hard, and be nice." That is so true. Murphy, you may have to work a bit harder than most people, but it will pay off. You will get there...you will accomplish great things in your life, I know it. I am proud of how hard you try and how much you have already achieved. I will always be your biggest cheerleader...wherever you go and whatever you do I will love and support you...all I ask is that you do your best and don't give up.
"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
6. Help others and be an encourager. Murphy you always stop and help people. You always tell friends good job. You are the first and the loudest to cheer for Madden. You get it. You know how much it means to be supportive and helpful. Don't ever think we take that for granted, Murphy. We are proud of you for being excited for others and for helping whenever and wherever you can. It puts a smile on my face and is such a gift. Thank you, buddy.
"who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
*And one to grow on* Soak in His creation. You are such a boy when it comes to playing. You love being outside, exploring new things, and just entertaining yourself with whatever you come across. I pray you keep that appreciation for being outside and sunny days. I hope you soak in as much of God's beautiful world as possible.
"Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"Jeremiah 32:17
"Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:"Jeremiah 32:17
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| My boys birthday hat... |
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| Couldn't have said it better...Thank you God! |
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| Tiny baby Joy Buckets |
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| sweet boy |
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| 1st birthday complete with Uncle Sweet pea as the "hopping Easter bunny" |
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| 1st birthday in his nest |
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| 2nd birthday he was SO good at the candles |
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| 3rd bday morning in his nest |
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| 4th birthday! WOW. |
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| My man's happy place... |
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| See why I call him Joy Buckets? |
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| Madonna Valentine dance with his precious friend Mark |
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| you read it right, student of the MONTH! |
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| And yes, this is how we celebrated |
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| Cant even stand it |
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| I think he's a pretty happy fellow at his new school, such a blessing! |
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| Smiles |
I love you to the end of the world and back...you are my angel, you and tinky are the loves of my life. I am proud of you and I wish you the very best birthday a boy can have. I hope every day of your life is better than the last and I pray that your dreams come true through loving Jesus and following Him with all of your heart. You're joy is a gift to us all.
Love,
Momma
