Happy Birthday to you!!! Just look at that face...this is one boy who enjoys birthdays...actually looks forward to anyone's birthday so he can sing the "Happy Birthday" song.
It was so much fun to watch him rock back and forth, smiling from ear to ear.
We always have a beautiful birthday cake for the candles and then swap out the cake with Sam's gluten free cupcakes and Rice Dream ice cream.
As you can see it doesn't seem to phase him much!!
He just keeps digging in!!
I thought I would grab a few photos of the rest of the family too!!
The infamous brother Ben!
The lovely sister Danielle!
Sam's bestest buddy, also known as Daddy!
And his Mommy, teacher, therapist, nurse and short order cook...
It is a family tradition that you get to choose your birthday meal and the immediate family celebrates with you the day of your birthday. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of...yeah...Taco Bell. Sam's extended family birthday party will be on Sunday, so more "Birthday Song" and presents to come.
It is hard for me to believe that 11 years have gone by...even with them not being the easiest 11 years. But today I focus on the Happy part of his birthday...his smile, his laughter, his love of his family, his determination, his strength and persistence. This little boy has gone through more in his 11 years than we will ever go through in our entire lives. But what really makes him different is how he goes through life. He doesn't complain, get depressed or give up. He faces each day, each challenge and every moment with God given grace. He is teaching me more than I could ever teach him.
I wanted to get a great photo for this birthday post and as I downloaded all the images from the camera I smiled at each and every one. Here are a few more including one from Halloween that just makes me chuckle. Please keep in mind that Sam has always had sensory issues, so costumes were never a favorite but he handled this one beautifully.
Here were the pictures I got as I tried to catch a good expression.
You can almost hear him saying "Mom, enough already...are you done".
Nope, she just keeps on taking more and more pictures. The next one was my favorite pick.
And this is what I got when I asked for just one more.
Sam, I love you more than you will ever know. I look forward to spending each and every day with you. You amaze me, challenge me and make me a better person.
Happy Birthday, my little man!!!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Sam!
ReplyDeleteSue, I found your blog on the communicating Yahoo group. I fell in love with Sam and the way you tell his story. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us.
Thank you for being such an inspiration for me and a mentor, helping me figure out how to work with my son Andrew (3); he is hydrocephalus and just dx with autism.
Geovana Raich
What a wonderful treat this was this morning. We have a 17 year old boy that blesses us each day with all the same great traits. It seems to me that got gives these wonderful kids to just the right parents. I can't imagine life without Noah Lea. There's some great pictures of him on our Facebook page at: David Lea
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blog!
ReplyDeleteOh those pictures are priceless and his smile just made my night! What a beautiful family you have!!
ReplyDeleteHow happy he is here! He made me smile right back.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked our Relativity:-) Thank you, Stacie
His smiles are so heartwarming!! He sure is a fighter huh? I truly admire you, Sue..you are an amazing mom/caregiver to Mr. Sam :D My Eric will turn 27 on February 4 :O My, it's hard to believe I am THAT old (46 on May 6, 2012) .. may you continue to have good results with Sam's health--will be praying for you both! I have many photos of Eric on Facebook if you are a member. My email is melly66@sbcglobal.net if you care to reply to this post & my facebook link is: www.facebook.com/leplady BIG HUGS!!
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