Dear Miles,
Another year has come and gone and it's amazing just how much you've grown in that time. You're taller, smarter, kinder, and stronger. You've had experiences that have stretched you and helped you realize just how capable and brave you really are. You've had ups and downs, but have found joy and confidence through it all.
You love the water. I thought of all the fun things you've done this year, a lot of them are in the water. You played in the ocean, went fishing, went down HUGE scary waterslides at Splash Summit, swam in the pool in the backyard, went crawdad fishing, and did a lot of wakeboarding! Speaking of wakeboarding, you learned how to wakeboard this year! And you are so good at it. I've loved watching you figure it out and improve with every run. I've loved seeing your confidence grow and your great big smile even after face-planting. 
Something else you've really impressed me with is baseball. Having played baseball my entire childhood, it's been fun watching you enjoy it as well. Except you are actually good at it. Ha ha! You're a fantastic batter and can just about hit anything. I think the best position you play is catcher, which is really amazing since you sit and let balls hit you over and over again. But you're focused and collected and confident, and that's just really cool.
Other things you've enjoyed are snakes, catching snakes, reading about snakes, exercising, writing out exercise plans for your friends and I, going on Mommy Son Dates, playing video games, and building with Legos.
Miles, I love how much love you have to give and how you give it freely. I love that you're kind and helpful. I love that you think of others and want so much to make people smile and feel happy. I like that you're funny and goofy and that we can joke around with each other.
Something fun that happened this year was that you and your brothers made cars for the pinewood derby. You were supposed to race yours with the Primary kids, but a couple days before, you had to come to the Young Men derby since I had to be there with the Young Women and Dad wanted to watch your brothers race. So you brought along your car and when they asked if you'd like to participate, you happily joined in and smoked them all! You got first place! It was hilarious.
Miles, I love how brave you are. I love that you're up for new and exciting adventures. I love your positivity and your ability to find the good in things. I hope by now you've realized just how good a kid you are and how much you are loved. You are so smart. You are doing 4th grade math at 3rd grade. You are a great reader and you love to learn. You're a good friend. You've made some wonderful friendships this year because you know how to be a good friend. I love your hugs and snuggles and your desire to be near me. I love watching you grow up, but I think you're doing it too quickly.
I hope this year is wonderful and fulfilling and that you continue to learn and grow and be happy. I hope you continue to choose the right and to listen to the Spirit. I love that you've developed a love and understanding of the Book of Mormon as you've read it on your own. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much and your dad and I love you so much too.
Thank you for being such a great example to me and for loving me, even when I'm not being very lovable. Thank you for being my baby and for letting me be your mommy. I've loved every minute of it. Truly. Being your mom is the best thing ever.
Happy Birthday Sweet Miles!
I love you so much,
Mama
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