Happy birthday, "Stanley"!

Six years ago today, my life changed in ways I never imagined.  When becoming a mom, you have nine months to "prepare" for what's to come - to anticipate the challenges and joys motherhood will bring, to create ways to divert disaster, to envision what your new life will be like...and once that tiny baby is in your arms, it's all out the window.  Nothing will ever prepare you for the overwhelming pride the first time your baby walks.  You will never be prepared to hold back the tears on the first day of kindergarten.  You will never know the right words to give the answers when the hard questions come up.  You can't prepare yourself for the first heartbreak, the first meltdown or the first argument.  I was once told, before Cole could even say his first words, that being a mom is an especially difficult job, because although you get the first I love you, you'll also get the first I hate you.  That's true.  Nothing can prepare you for either one of those moments.  Nothing will prepare you for the amazement in your child's eyes the first time he walks in to meet his little brother.  If you thought you were in awe at new life, try seeing it through the eyes of a five year old.  No books, movies or magazines can ever prepare you to be a mom.  But everyone unprepared moment is so perfectly unique and amazing and worth it.  There is nothing more worth it on this Earth.

With Cole, we've relished so many wonderful moments of success and achievement.  We've grown with him and because of him.  We were "babies having a baby" when he came into our lives and the three of us figured it out together.  We figured it out because of each other.  We learned that just because Eddie Bauer makes the stroller, doesn't mean it's the best - it actually means it's the most complicated.  We learned that being parents doesn't mean making everyone else proud of your job - it means making tough decisions that will one day allow your grown child to look back and be proud of your job.  We've learned that the gratification of raising a child comes daily, but that we probably won't be thanked until he's a father of his own.  (Though, he tells me that he doesn't think he's going to get married and have kids, he thinks he's just going to stay with us forever.  Haha!)

So, today, on your 6th birthday, know that we love you more than you will ever know, Cole.  Know that you so wonderfully changed our lives in ways we could never have imagined.  We are better people because of you.  Know that you can brighten a day with your big hugs, that you so freely give to everyone who comes into your life.  Know that your witty remarks can make a room roar with laughter.  As you grow up, always be true to yourself.  Always be who YOU are.  Always laugh more than you want to, and love more than think you can.  Be honest and trust people - find the good in bad situations and have faith that is always stronger than your questions and your challenges.  Dream big dreams and watch them come true.  When the odds are against you, beat them.  And when and if the world seems to much, you will never be too big to fit in my arms, to sit on my lap or to have your back rubbed.  And NEVER forget: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Happy birthday, "Stanley"!