happy birthday Mr. Kaeden (December 23rd)

today you are eight.

I am having a hard time accepting this fact.

it seems like just yesterday I let your dad take a

"shortcut" through a frozen field in his old truck

where you spent 10 long minutes being jostled all around.

apparently this was not to your liking,

as soon as I stepped out of the truck your journey

to this world in living colour began.

I remember how upset I was,

like always, I wasn't prepared,

I had just finished work and figured I had

a week to get all my Christmas shopping and decorating done and

3 more weeks to get prepared for your arrival.

I also promised myself I would NEVER have a child near Christmas

as I knew what it was all about, your original due date of January 11th

was close but far enough into the next month that I was ok with it.

2 days before Christmas, not what I was looking for,

to be honest you were working towards a delivery time of

early morning on the 24th (Christmas Eve). I was having

nothing to do with that, had a little talk with you, and

we got it done by 9:23pm on the 23rd.

you were a character from the moment you took a breath,

and I saw your individual personality as soon as they laid you on my chest.

I turned 30 years old, 5 days later, and the big 30th party celebration

was reworked to a quiet movie night with friends

where you and I cuddled on the couch and there

was nowhere I would have rather been.

You have been in our family for 2,920 days (well 9 months prior to that but for these purposes I calculated from your birth date) and I have loved every single one of them.

Now, in the spirit of complete honesty I will admit there were seconds, minutes, hours in those days that were not great.

You like your sister, are not a great bedtime champion.

This may come to a shock to you but not to the people that truly know you... you have a flair for the dramatic. Gasp, it's true.

Following directions is also not in the strength category.

You and "tough love" have met numerous times.

When you are in a "mood" look out. There has been some fantastic temper tantrums in the last 8 years. Oscar worthy at times.

Your housekeeping skills are not great, frankly they are scary.

However, with all that said, your strengths and absolute joy of a personality outweighs any of those negative moments.

As you grow older you are learning quickly what is acceptable and what is not (for a quick refresher, that would be (in no particular order):

Not acceptable:

Whining,

Lying,

Mediocrity (in 8 yr old terms doing a job half butt (a more age suitable term than the half-ass comments Shelby gets)

Not trying,

Being a Bully Billy (the title is from a great book and it is the name we always use if someone is being a bully)

What is expected:

Honesty

Respect for everyone

Problem Solving

Self accountability

Work Ethic

Being kind

Helping others

Doing your best...always

For the most part, 2920 days in, you are starting to get "it". There are a few areas that your are struggling with but the concept of "this is not acceptable, never has been, never will be" is starting to make sense to you.

I can't imagine, not anywhere in my mind, not having you in my life.

You filled a place in my heart that I didn't even know needed to be filled.

It is not only me that gets so much joy from you,

your dad, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends,

all enjoy that special flair you bring.

Today on your 8th birthday,

these are the 8 words that I think best describe you

at this exact moment and time...

Loving. Funny. Caring. Outgoing. Messy. Interesting. Gentle. Energized.

You are awesome. I think you rock.

Someone recently asked you, what are you going to be when you grow up?

I waited, expecting the usual answer, a wrestler, monster truck driver. However, this time the answer was much different...

lots of things, there is so much to try.

I loved this answer as we have told you, you are the boss of you and you can do anything you want to do. You will make a change, a positive one, in this world.

I am so privileged to be your mom and I know your dad feels the same,

Stay safe, make good choices, try your hardest and I wish you all the luck and joy in year 8!

Love mom.