Brooks is 3!

How can it be?  Our little Brooks Richard is 3!

This guy...he is absolutely, 100% way too smart for us. 

He is witty, sneaky, silly, inquisitive, social, helpful, loving, playful, and so much more. 

Brooks surprises us all the time with what he understands and overcomes. 

I can't help but get emotional every time I see him experience another milestone. I am always taken back to those frightening days in the hospital when we were so close to losing him -

Absolutely a life-changing experience.

One of those first nights in the hospital, I listened to a message from one of my favorite ministers. In that message, while holding Brooks' tiny hand and watching all the tubes and monitors around him, I truly felt God say to me that He had a purpose for this boy and this experience. It wasn't for me to know or understand yet, but someday it will be clear to me. 

For now,  we are thankful every moment of every day for this boy who is FULL of life and ours. 

At age 3, Brooks is:

Potty trained - what a champ!

Talking - all the time!

Playful - with his brother, sister, dogs, and many friends. He loves to play with animals, dinosaurs, and any kind of sport. 

Reading - he tries to hold books and read like his older siblings.

Helpful - he will try to load the dishwasher and sweep, put his clothes away and help fold laundry.

Independent - "I can do it myself" is heard many times throughout the day.

Happy Birthday, Brooksy- you are spunky big blessing and we love you so much!