Happy Birthday Corey!

Dear Corey,

It's hard to believe that 12 years have actually passed since welcoming you into this world. I will never forget how much I enjoyed the 6 weeks I had with you before going back to work, when you were born. It was our time...just you and me! My favorite part of every single day, was when you and I would take a nap on the couch...you would always cuddle up and fall asleep right on my chest. You were the happiest baby, always full of smiles and love. Everywhere we went, you drew attention because of how beautiful you were.

As a toddler, you were always full of energy and just a bundle of joy to have around. I remember taking you for a walk around nana's neighborhood, it was right around Easter time. This lady had decorated a tree in her front yard with little bunnies...you went crazy over this tree and the lady went crazy over you. Well, because you loved the tree so much, she broke off a huge branch of it, just to give to you. You walked around with that silly tree branch full of bunnies for days on end!

Your first day of kindergarten, you weren't like a lot of the other kids...you weren't crying and clingy, you weren't scared at all. You walked right in like you had been there a hundred times before. I remember you were smiling and grinning from ear to ear and inside my heart was breaking, because you were so big and it was almost like you didn't need your mommy anymore. When all was said and done though, I was glad for you...glad that you were secure enough that you felt like you could do it all on your own.

You have done so well in your first 7 years of school. You have made me very proud! It's hard for me to believe that you are on your way to middle school. I hope that you will love it, just like I did!

Through the years, I know that we have had some good and bad times. We have been through alot! But we have always stuck together and I want you to know, that we always will. I also want you to know, that I understand you are going through a ton of changes right now and that I remember going through the same things that you are. It's not always easy being 12. If you need to talk about anything, if you need a friend, you can always feel free to come to me. I'll always be there for you.

Last thing I want to say is that I appreciate all the little things you do to try and help me. Simple things like helping out with Max, mowing the lawn, and trying to keep your brother in check while I'm at work, really mean the world to me....and so do you Corey.

I love you more than words can say, buddy!
Momma