Happy 9th Birthday my Little Man!

Wow, how fast 9 wonderful years have passed! 9 years ago Dad and I were patiently awaiting your arrival. I had just started my leave at the physical therapy clinic and was excited to spend the next 2 weeks getting your room finished up and washing and ironing all of your clothes, oh yeah and relaxing a little bit. You weren't having any of that. 2 days later just as Dad had gotten home from work and I told him that you had not been moving as much as you usually do, this sent us into panic mode and we rushed up to the hospital, no kidding 90 miles an hour on the freeway. It is a good thing we did though, because apparently I was in labor and you were ready to come out. They rushed me back to the surgical room and there's where you came into this world! Tears of joy streaming down our faces, you were our ray of sunshine and you have been ever since.

Our sunshine and forever the happy baby, there weren't too many things that made you mad. Just feed me and give me my blankie and I am a happy camper. You had your first surgery when you were 8 weeks old and you came through it like a trooper, just as you did all 6 of your surgeries. You and your blue blankie and your 2 fingers, hmmmmmm some things never change!!! We fell in love with you the first time we saw you and you continue to have us wrapped around your finger to this day!

Ever the soft-hearted, easy-going little man. Not too many things get to you even now. You seem to have a knack of taking everything with a grain of salt, 'cept when it comes to your sister, but we'll leave that for another day. I love your quiet confidence, whether a caught football pass or a great golf shot, you are so proud of yourself, almost as much as we are of you. Your focus and ambition are unrivaled. Your innocent acceptance of all people, treating everyone with respect and love. You inspire me each and everyday to be a better person. Your effervescent sweet spirit, the way you rub your hands together and jump up and down when your excited. The little things you do on your own without being told, inviting the new kid to play with you and your friends or taking your wallet to church on Sunday so you can give a dollar to the collection. Your un-wavering devotion for the Chargers...one year buddy, one year!

Never lose sight of the most important things in your life. Let your ambition be your guide and inspiration. Always remember how much we love you just for being you. Never accept anything less than the best you are worth so much more. Always reach for the stars and know that we are always behind you! Thank you for enriching our lives far beyond words, and most of all for being everything we could have asked for and more! We love you buddy, Happy 9th Birthday!