Birthday Boy

I'm taking a break from updating you of all our happenings since we moved to EC, to write about my sweet little boy. My THREE year old.

Dear Cayman,

It is so hard to believe that you are already turning three! It seems like only yesterday that I was waking your Daddy up at 3am, telling him it was time to go to the hospital. I cannot even begin to explain to you the joy that surged through my body the first moment I laid my eyes on your sweet little self. You were perfectly formed and molded by our loving Father. Your daddy and I could not have been more excited to welcome you into our family.

You have gone through so many changes with us since you were born three years ago! And you have handled them all like a champ. We have moved. We have packed all of your possessions and toys and hidden them from you for periods of time. :) We brought another member into our family, your sweet little sis, Charis. Each time we moved or something in our life changed, people would always ask us how you were handling everything. I always told them that you acted as if nothing changed! You are perfectly happy going with the flow of things and handling everything life has tossed your way. I pray that you will be optimistic always and handle things, good or bad, that come your way with grace, patience and understanding.

Ever since Charis has entered our lives, you have been enamored with her. As her personality becomes more evident, it becomes even more clear that you two could not be more different! However, it is also evident how deep your love for one another is. Yes, y'all have your occasional spats - you argue over who gets to stand on the stool at the sink to wash your hands. She likes to hit you on your head just because. But you usually (not always) but usually remain calm, tell her not to hit you, or act like she's not even there and it didn't even happen. Your daddy and I have also always told you, from day one, that your job as her older brother is to protect her. Just yesterday, we visited your daddy's restaurant. We stood at the back of the store where there is an open doorway with a 5+ foot drop off to the ground below. You were very nervous and did not want to go to the edge to look down. But fearless Charis started walking right up to that doorway. Without saying a word, you simply reached out, grabbed her hand, and kept her from getting too close. You protected her. I pray that you will always be there for her, to reach out and grab her from getting too close to dangerous situations. You - big brother - protector.

(When Charis went back a second time, we just let her
to test her instincts. That time you did not protect her.) :)

You have also become quite the performer. You love laughing, and you love making everyone around you laugh. You love to make up songs. Your most recent hit is "I Know What You're Thinking" - you sing that same line over and over. I frequently hear you singing in your bedroom, when you're supposed to be napping, mind you, at the top of your lungs. Just singing - no real words or lines - just singing to make noise. You also love to dance. You do a great robot. Unfortunately you may have gotten your dance moves from your Mama. You are also showing a love of anything having to do with sports. You beg us on a regular basis to go bowling. Money is tight for us right now, so we always tell you that when we start making money, we'll take you bowling. Today you took your quarters out of your money cup (we give you quarters for pooping in the potty), and you told us that you were ready to go bowling. We told you that we weren't going to be able to take you bowling today. "But I have monies now in my pocket. We can go bowling!" You can also throw a pretty mean fastball, you picked up a hockey stick and swung it correctly before we even got the chance to explain it to you, and you love to kick soccer balls and footballs. We can't wait to see the athlete you will soon grow to be.

Singing your hit song

There are also some things that we aren't very pleased to see these days. Unfortunately you seem to have quite the temper. I believe this is more because of your age and not necessarily a character trait. But we're still unhappy to see it. We see it most often when we tell you that it's time to stop doing something or that you can't do something you want to do. You throw yourself on the ground and start screaming, or, strangely enough, you also get on all fours and bang your head on the floor. Most recently you have discovered that you get a lot of attention from mommy and daddy when you start throwing things in your room (when you're in time out) or start kicking your headboard or doors. Needless to say, Mommy and Daddy need to do some reading up on how to properly handle your fits of anger. Sometimes we can't help but laughing at your silly antics, and others you leave us speechless at your toddler fit. There's never a dull moment in our house!

So sweet Cayman, at your three year old birthday, Mommy and Daddy want you to know that we love you dearly, we pray for your continued good health, but more importantly we always pray for your salvation - that you would know deeply and intimately the love of your heavenly Father - that you would follow Him wholeheartedly and without abandon - that you would serve Him alone - and that we would be the parents that exemplify all of those things to you.

We love you Cayman James Moody (as you so often tell EVERYONE to call you.)

Love, Mommy

2 Weeks Old

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

Practically Three Years Old