Dear Joel,

You are our baby. Yet, today, as you turn three, you continue to move further away from being a baby. You constantly remind us that you're not the baby and you're a big boy. You rarely take time to slow down and be held, snuggled, kissed, hugged, and so forth. There was some sort of void that existed this year when, for the first time as parents, we had a two year old without another baby in the house. At two, your siblings were forced to grow up rather quickly. Yet for you, at two, we just wanted to keep you a baby for another year more. You didn't let us.

You keep growing and changing with each day. When we think about who you were a year ago and how much you've changed, bittersweet tears come to our eyes. It's bitter, because time seems to go just a bit too fast this time around. Traces of that sweet "baby Joel" are drifting away. It's sweet, though, because you've grown into a little boy with a personality anyone would love. Your words, your actions, your mannerisms, your everything. All of it is irresistibly adorable. You wake each morning with excitement and joy and you lay your head down each night knowing you've filled the hearts of those around you with so much love and joy. Joy is truly the word for you. Even in your most challenging moments, there is joy. It's hard to get upset when you're just so stinkin' cute!

Yes, you do get away with a bit more than your siblings. We hope that doesn't backfire down the road! In all fairness, though, you put up with quite a bit. You have an older brother who 99% of the time is incredibly annoyed and bothered by you. Yet all you want is for him to include you as one of the big boys. You have a sister, who 99% of the time is bossing you around and telling you what to do. Yet somehow you continue to go back for more! We often say that we can't wait to see how you'll react to each of them when your body, language, and attitude catches up with theirs!

Through it all, you just roll with it. Our old nickname, Roly Poly Joely, takes on a whole new meaning these days. You are our go-with-the-flow kid. Happy to do whatever anyone else is doing. If it's your siblings, you're playing what they're playing. If it's one of us, you're just tagging along and taking it all in. You soak it up when you (rarely) get individual attention. Wednesday nights have become one of your favorites because Caleb and Leah go to Awana for almost two hours and you get undivided attention from us. At first, you were lost without them around. Now, you seem completely okay with being the center of attention!

As you continue to grow, we continue to be amazed by the big heart and big personality that is tucked inside such a teeny little human. You show empathy and compassion for others in such incredible ways. When someone is hurt, you are right there to kiss a boo-boo, give an ice pack, or offer your own beloved blankie to provide comfort. You touch others with your ability to make them laugh. You thrive on getting reactions from others and can be downright funny. You have certainly made this whole "letting go" of having a baby much easier, because with each passing day, we find something more to love about your growing personality. God has given us such a gift in you, our third and final child. We know that He has created you uniquely and we are thankful that you are your own self....not "just like Caleb" or "just like Leah", but just Joel!  

Love,
Daddy and Mommy