Birthday Boy #2 (a few days late)

 There was 2...

 And then 3... (with cousin Liv)

 Then all of a sudden, a 7 year old...

 And now 9?  Wow.

You are becoming such a young man.  As a 9 year old, starting a new life in Maryland, you have taken a few months to adjust but are now showing the real Elijah.  You are ultimately kind and compassionate above all else.  You feel deeply for every one and every living thing.  You are complex, creative, full of story and drama.  You love fast cars, drawing monsters and creatures, making up stories, acting out stories, watching Hot Wheels Battle Force 5, playing with Amani, and running around outside.

Recently you started going to Robotics club at 4-H and you love it.  You decided on a skateboard with your birthday money and the roller blades you got from your cousins were a big hit.  We love you Lij!  Keep growing in love and faith.  

Birthday Season

Spring 2007- Tom and Cassie's house on the farm

February 2008- Barefoot Dr. house in Kentucky

Spring 2009- Raven Run, Kentucky

Good morning; it's my birthday- February 2011, Keymar, MD

We didn't have cake for breakfast.  This was after school.

Micah opens birthday season around here; then its nonstop for 2 months.  Our middle son turned 7 years old on Tuesday the 15th.  Amazing.
Micah we love you more than ever.  New adventures for you include piano lessons, which you are enjoying more every week, and very recently 4-H robotics club.  As always, you love all things screen related- Wii, DS, computer games you name it.  If someone is working on a screen, you want to be right there beside them, watching how everything is done.  Your technology skills are quite proficient.

At school, you are doing wonderfully.  Math seems to be your favorite subject although you say anything on "Success Maker" (a computer program you use in class) is your favorite.  Your least favorite subject is art.
You are a joy my middle boy.  We love you so much.  Your thoughtful, contemplative heart peeks out every once in a while and when it does, we are astounded at the depth with which you understand things.

I overheard you recently giving your big brother some advice.  He was walking down the hall with his DS in hand, ready to ask me if he could play.  You came out of the bathroom and this was the conversation:
Micah:  What are you doing?
Elijah:  I'm going to ask Mommy if I can play.
Micah:  (chasing after Lij) Don't take your DS with you.  Look it's even on.  (You grab it away and turn it off)
Eljiah:  Why not?
Micah:  She'll think you started playing without asking. (exasperated sigh as though you were thinking- "silly boy, you should know better)
Elijah:  Oh, ok.  (walks in to me)  Mommy can I play DS?
I say yes and you give him his DS, smile at me and bounce out to go watch your brother play.  

On the first day of school, way back in the fall, you fussed at me after school for putting an "I love you" note in your lunch box- its embarrassing you said. I laughed and we moved on with things. No big deal.

A couple of weeks ago, you tearfully confessed that you felt really bad for what you said about the note and for not really liking your lunch that day.  Confessions are difficult for you and you hold onto your guilt for a long time, but your sincerity is such a blessing.  Yes, we are watching you grow- inside and out.

Happy 7th birthday big boy!  Keep learning and growing and loving!  I pray that God continues to work in the secret, quiet places of your heart, rooting those seeds of faith that you possess deeply.