HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAGE!

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy, Gage. I really cannot believe that you are five!! Because you were our first baby, we didn't really know what to expect. We only knew that we couldn't wait to see what you looked like. We certainly did not know, no matter how much we heard other parents say it, how much we would love you and how much you would change our lives forever. I fumbled through your first 3 months, reading countless parenting books, completely unsure of myself. But what I did know was how I loved to hold you and rock you and sing to you. I would talk to you, read to you, dance with you. It was just us - you, me and Daddy. We marveled at your first smile, first laugh, first roll-over, first crawl, and all your other firsts. You taught us that true love means serving, selflessness, and patience, among other things. You talked before you walked. And I mean talked, not just baby talk. Right from the start, you seemed to be sensitive, deep, smart and observant. You were so social and interested in others.

These qualities have grown right along with you. You are today a caring and tender boy. You are sensitive to others and eager to make people happy. You make friends easily. You love to talk and ask questions and push the envelope. You are curious and precocious. You pay attention, especially when you shouldn't. I love how excited you still get each morning to see us. I love how sweet you are to your sisters, who adore you. You are an enormous help to me and you do so willingly. We love your humor and silliness - I know I can always count on you for a laugh. You have an unbelievable memory, still recounting things from when you were two. You love to learn about Jesus and how much He loves you. After Primary the other day, I asked you to go get Bella from Nursery and when you came back with her you told me that you got lost but that the Holy Ghost showed you the way to go. You say things similar to this all the time, which is so precious. Right now, you love to collect rocks. I find rocks behind pillows in the living room, on the shelves in your room, in your pockets....everywhere! You also love to catch lizards, moths, and bugs. With Daddy's encouragement, you actually believe that you have the force (Star Wars) and go around every day using it. (You get this from your Uncle Cameron). You love sword-fighting and dragon-slaying. Your imagination is limitless. You can entertain yourself all day long, and you've always been this way. You still have your imaginary friend, Rescuer, whom you sometimes blame for things. You love to ride your bike (even though you won't let us take the training wheels off), play baseball, and golf. You still lean towards being left-handed, but mostly you're ambidextrous. Your favorite color is blue and your favorite number is whatever age you are, so now it is 5.

We love you so much, our darling boy, Gage. You are special in so many ways and we are so grateful that you are part of our family. We hope you will always know how much we love you and how much our Father in Heaven loves you too. You bring such joy to us. We love you all the way up to the stars and back.

Always,

Mama and Daddy