I cannot believe my Angel Boy is 2!

Happy Birthday our Dear Sweet Paxton.

How many ways you have enriched our lives.

You have taught us about Love. Hope. Perspective. Faith. Service. Diligence. Stillness. Activity. Blessings. Happiness. Closeness. What Matters Most. Family. Dreams. Little Victories. Medicine. Knowledge. Skills. Sacrifice. Being Brave. Doing Our Best. In all things giving Thanks to God. Prayer. Priesthood Power. Fasting. Desires. Learning learning learning. 

I feel like everyday we are learning something new. Or learning the same thing, again, whether I want to or not. You have helped me to learn oh so much about myself. About priorities. About choosing. About submitting. About seeking. 

We have a bond that is deep and true, intrinsically knowing each other and how to communicate one with another, without spoken words. I love every part of your body and soul. You are a miracle in every fashion and form. A gift from God to teach us more what He is like, about His Love. A gift to help us focus and become what we can become. How our life has changed with you in it. The struggles have been great. But the blessings are greater. I am grateful for this gift. For the gift you are and all of the joy, learning, people, and growth you have brought into our lives. You have made me aware of things that I knew nothing about. That I did not know were so important, or difficult, for others. You have stretched our capacities and our compassion. You have exhibited more faith and strength than any of us could muster at any age. You are a saint for being here and submitting to an imperfect body, all to have the experience of mortal life, and I know, to bless us with all that you have to teach us. We are so grateful for your time here, everyday. Even with the sacrifices, and the "hards", you know we wouldn't have it any other way. With your perfect innocence you are molding us to be better people. Inspiring us. Reminding us. Lifting us. Loving us! Oh, how we love you!!! Thank you for your example of faith, mildness, simplicity, joy, and endurance. You are teaching us more than we could ever teach you.

I love to see you tilt your head back with laughter and glee when you are so happy. Usually from an interaction with us, seeing a toy you think is being silly or you are excited to play with, when we gobble your tummy and thighs and you go crazy. :) Even when you see us getting a diaper to change you, back goes the head and up goes the smile, happy as can be. You know what you like, and you know what you don't like. You kick things away when you are done with them. You will guard your face or trach if you don't want to be bothered or suctioned. You will allow it if you know it will help. 

You still smile at the angels. I have noticed now they are most with you when you are alone. I will see you laughing and smiling at the ceiling, like they are making you laugh. Who is playing peekaboo with you?! Is someone dancing in their angel whites, swishing their soft fabric over your face? You light up when they are around, and we both smile knowing that you are not alone. Mommy is grateful in those moments that I watch you from the monitor, usually when I need to finish getting something important done, and I know it is a tender grace of God that He has not left you alone. Or me either. We have been so richly blessed. You have given us strength and confidence in ourselves. To do things we never dreamed we could do. 

I'm amazed at all you have conquered, overcome. Your life is not easy but you don't know any different and you are happy most of the time. Unless you are hurting.  You are a true champion, Paxton, and always will be, no matter what. Come what may, you are our Hero. Our Angel. Our Miracle. Our Champ. We love you, Pacman. Happy Second Birthday! ...and many more...