i love mike--who is six years old today!

i love mike's smile.
it's almost the only thing we ever see.
he smiles all the time.
he's fearless. he learned to dive in the deep end of our pool when he was 2.5.
(here's a rare moment without a smile)
he's technologically savvy.
he learned to use a laptop (and use it well!) when he was 2.5.
the doctors told us at 18 weeks in utero that he had no brain, just a fluid filled cyst and we should abort and try again.
the doctors were wrong.
everyone we knew prayed for 4 weeks.
the doctor said he'd never seen one of these completely go away.
but mike's did.
he was so proud that he earned his vest at awana.
he likes the games the best, but he's good at memorizing the verses too.
too good, his teacher told us. "slow him down," she said.

he likes half day kindergarten even though he's already reading on a 3rd grade level and knows his time/numbers/shapes/money.
but he's learning compassion towards those with disabilities in his class. he's also learning diversity, and how to obey other adults.

i love to listen to mike read.
he'll stop sometimes and just think things through.
and then he'll ask a deeper question.
you can almost see the wheels turning in that brain of his.
(that's a snowflake in front of his one eye).
mike loves the outdoors.
any sport or new activity and he. is. there. loving it.

we love mike's zeal for life.
he's always so full of it.
he reminds us to live it to the full too.
and at night, when it's time for bed, he crashes.
lights out. before the electric lights go out.
we love you mike.