Happy 8th Birthday Gabriel Lee!

Has it really been 8 years since I became a mom?! What a joy it has been to be your mom, Gabe. This sweet boy loves and cares for people. He has always been very social, loving kids and adults alike and always ready to talk! When he was 3, he told me, "You can just call me talker, cuz I love to talk. That's just the way how God made me." Gabe is very sensitive and is a pleaser at heart-much like his mom, so we are working (together!) on living to please God more than to please people:) He is, by nature, very responsible and organized. I think that is from Nile's side of the family! I NEVER have to ask him to pick up his toys when he is done playing, he just always does it. He loves Seth and Josie to pieces, sometimes overdoing it:) And I have him to thank for S and J's nice manners-even when they could only use sign language to say please and thank you, he was beyond consistent in helping to train them to always say it. He is the one who notices my hard work and thanks me for it, and then tells S and J to thank me. Though this past month has brought forth challenges with him as we have transitioned, we have grown closer as we have dealt with some of these issues. I pray that this year, I can do a better job of checking in with him and hearing his heart...just listening to him without commenting so much. Seth will just spill his feelings, but you have to probe deeper to hear Gabe's feelings and his heart. Gabe, I pray this will be a wonderful year and that God will show Himself to you in many ways as you continue to learn to follow Him in all things. We love you so much! Here are a few faves.

In his little Dutch costume at the Tulip Festival Parade-
wasn't thrilled with the loud sirens.