Five Alive

My sweet Treyden,

How I pray each day I can show you how much I have loved you for 5 amazing years of living. You are so easy to love! You are always right there with a smile, hug, thumbs up, high five, or a kiss on the nose. Your sense of humor is unrivaled. You bring a laugh to my soul each day I have the privilege of spending with you.

You have such a contagious passion to run and jump and play. You exude such joy and love of life. You love to laugh, and are rarely found with a scowl or tears on your face (and if so, not for long). 

Caleb has adored you since the day he was born, and it's no question why. You care for your little brother with such dedication and sincerity. He is your best friend, and you frequently tell (and show) me so. 

You have the most obedient spirit. You make me look like such a great mom, and yet I know the secret: you came this way. No matter how many mistakes I make as your mother, no matter how impatient I am, you give me 100%, and you ALWAYS forgive. You have such a gift for forgiveness and meekness of heart. And always with sincerity. I see so much of my Savior in you. And don't ever forget: you came this way.

You accomplish the impossible by being inherently obedient and having a free spirit at the same time. You will try anything once. You love most anything quirky, unexpected, or out of the ordinary, and you have a WICKED memory. I have to be vigilant in my conversations with you, because you'll remember I promised you a Pump it Up Party a year ago, and you hold me to that promise.

I cannot help but smile when I see your adorable dimples. Your smile is impossibly contagious.

You have developed such an affinity for superheros, and the reason is simple; the greatest strengths you possess are superhero worthy. You are definitely one of my personal heros.
When you are sleepy, you can and will fall asleep anywhere, and arousing you from sleep is not possible. On the other hand, when you wake in the morning, you are bright and bushy tailed from the word go. 

Your gorgeous brown hair is the envy of any coif-savvy adult. And you love your long hair, even in the dead of summer. It is your trademark, and I love it, even when it takes 5 minutes just to rinse the shampoo out of your hair. 

You LOVE the water, and this last summer you taught yourself how to swim. The lessons you took after you had learned this skill only built your confidence in the water. I can't keep you away from any body of water, no matter how small.

You aren't the best eater, but you have a love for chocolate like I've never seen before. There are days I look at the lunch I've packed for you, and every food group involves chocolate. 

You have developed a love for rollercoasters this year. As your increasing height allowed you access to more and more attractions at Disneyland, you have braved them with admirable courage, and it kills you that Caleb isn't able to join you.

You have touched the hearts of so many in your 5 years, most of all, mine. I love you more than any mother has ever loved her child, and I thank Heavenly Father every day for your love. Happy 5th Birthday, T!