Nolan turns 4

It's hard to believe you are 4 years old today and not 14 years old! You are trying to grow up too fast! You are upset you don't go to school everyday! And on the days you do go, you want to walk yourself to your classroom even though we have to sign you in. I had to let you go down and get in class and walk down after to sign you in.  You feel left out a lot when Elijah and Madelynn get to participate in things and you don't. We let you play spring soccer but you would only play for a few minutes before you were "too tired" and needed a break. We decided not to sign you up this spring and you've been pretty disappointed in us. But we did put you in gymnastics and you are loving it! I love how you look over at me when you are doing your thing and you give me the cutest smile!

You are the funniest kid we know. You say the darnest things and make us laugh at least once a day.....and many days much more than that. You have great comedic timing. I hope you never lose your silliness or your wit!
You also are very adventurous. This summer we went jet skiing with our Idaho cousins and you were loving it. At one point Michael and James were trying to convince you not to go, the big kids were gonna go on the tube, so they started saying how fast they were gonna go and how whoever was on the tube would definitely fly off. Instead of deterring you, it made you want to go even more. You proclaimed, you love to go fast! While I love you being adventurous, I also hope you are wise.This summer you also got to boogie board at the beach while we visited Mimi and Grandpa.
You currently love Paw Patrol, playing Star Wars, building magnets, reading, and playing outside. You could stay outdoors all day! Elijah has convinced you to be an animal activist just like him. You loved going to Junior Ranger camp this summer and seeing/touching the snakes and birds. You were actually too young to go but you HAD to participate so we asked and they let you as long as we paid and mommy stayed. I was a little miserable but you were loving it so it made it easier for me.
Nolan, I love seeing the person you are becoming. You are super sweet, a little stubborn, a great little brother, a great big brother, and just overall one of our favorite people. And not just ours, lots of people think you are the greatest. Thank you for 4 years of joy and laughs. I can't wait to see the person (or dragon since that is what you currently want to be when you grow up) you become.
Always remember how much mommy and daddy love you and want the best for you. I know you'll get mad at us, you already do, but know you can always count on us. And even more than us, your Heavenly Parents. I've learned I can always pray to my Heavenly Father. He is always there for you! ALWAYS! And because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Never lose sight of the end goal. We plan to be together for forever! I couldn't imagine anything less. We are an eternal family.
Make sure you work as hard as you play but love the work that you do. That's really important in life. I wish I had some great wisdom to tell you right now. But the truth of the matter is, I'm still learning too. And while I try to be patient with you, please try to be patient with me. You would think I would have it all figured out by kid 3, but I'm constantly learning. Not to mention you aren't Elijah or Madelynn, you are you. You need things different from them.
I wish words could express how much I love you. They can't! You stole a piece of my heart 4 years ago. And I couldn't be happier to have you as part of my everyday. When I say I love you, you respond with I love you Saturday and I say I love you Sunday. And we both just know that is big. I LOVE YOU SUNDAY! I LOVE YOU MONDAY! I LOVE YOU TUESDAY! I LOVE YOU WEDNESDAY! I LOVE YOU THURSDAY! I LOVE YOU FRIDAY. I LOVE YOU SATURDAY!