Dear Hayden,

This weekend, you, Dad and I took a quick road trip up to Flagstaff. We stayed and hung out just one night with Shannon and Abraham, took a hike this morning, hung out with Sara and then headed home. It was quick but very fun to get away for a little bit. You hopped into the driver’s seat while Dad and I loaded up the car, and you road in the hiking backpack, which you loved! It’s so fun to watch you discover the world!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today we went to the Wildlife World Zoo. It is home to many animals outside as well as the only aquarium in the state of Arizona. You loved it! Here are some pictures of you enjoying yourself!

Love,
Mama

You and Elijah at the Zoo

You and a Kangaroo

Getting on the Train for a Tour

Checking out an Emu from the Train

Watching the Animals

At the Giraffe Feeding Station!

Checking out the Fish!

Checking out the fish with Eli!

Dear Hayden,

On your dad’s side — you have a HUGE family! There are a lot of cousins, and you seem to meet more every few months! Yesterday you met Kelly, Daniel and Michael (you actually already met Michael at GGP’s birthday last year). You also met Kelly’s boyfriend Jeff. It’s neat to be a part of a big family because there are always people to meet and see.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Happy Valentine’s Day! You make me so grateful for love in all its forms! Dad and I were reflecting today on how much you have grown in the last year! We had a great Valentine’s Day! We went to a great birthday party for Jaren at Pump It Up! You had a fantastic day!

Love you,
Mama

2.14.09                                          2.14.08

Dear Hayden,

Recently, everything is a phone for you! The remote controls, your cup, your small books, and especially phones!!! You hold them up to your ear and say, “Hello!” about a hundred times! You sound like a person checking to see if the person you are speaking to is still on the other end!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

This short article was published in our church newsletter this month. It states exactly what I love about being part of a church family. You are a kid of this covenant, and I am so grateful for our church family because of the many ways they help us raise you. I just wanted to make sure you have these words so you can remember this in the raising of your own kiddos.

Love you,
Mama

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I agree. I’m so glad, too, because it means I don’t have to do it alone. It is with great joy that we partner with the Body of Christ in the raising up, investing in, and sending out of our own children. How Great is that?

People like you rocking my child to sleep in the nursery…
People like you singing and dancing with my child at Vacation Bible School…
People like you demonstrating for my child a heart, mind and body for worship…
People like you helping my child find her place to serve…
People like you desiring for my child to be filled with the Holy Spirit…
People like you mentoring my child through adolescence when I suddenly won’t have a clue…
People like you becoming life-long friends with my child…
People like you modeling healthy marriages and the commitment to restoration of unhealthy marriages…
People like you committing to be family with my child…
People like you partnering with my child in mission…
People like you walking with my child through the deaths of her parents…

…people like you.

I’m so grateful for people like you. You are the Body of Christ.

Dear Hayden,

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and saw you and your friends playing outside. You were the only one without a bicycle or tricycle, so Grandpa decided to do something about that!

Here is a picture of you on your new trike!

Love you,
Mama