Marcus Turns 4!!!

Here it is already, another year has come and gone and Marcus is already 4!!!! While we've looked forward to this day for a long time, I'll confess we also dread when you will start preschool and kindergarten, at least I do...I'm just the step parent and I'm dreading having to let go a little already, you are at such a fun stage and the time has gone by way to fast but we are excited to what the future has in store for you too.

We have had so many fun memories and you have taught us so much about life and love, we are excited and look forward to sharing the exciting milestones you have coming up! You are such a fine little man. You are a spitting image of your Popi and it tickles me to see you walking in his footsteps. I love how you open doors for me and your sister, I've loved watching your Dad teach you how to treat little girls and woman. A few months back your Daddy started teaching you 'ladies first.' One day during primary when your little sunbeam class went out to get a drink all the other little boys were butting in front of the little girls. I walked past with my class and I could see the excitement in your eyes and your patience wearing off as you waited for your turn, a little girl went to go up and get a drink and you started to go first and I winked at you and reminded you, "Ladies first Marcus." Without skipping a beat you made sure all the little girls went before you and the rest of the boys, telling them, "Ladies first guys." After the little girls went, then you boys mauled the drinking fountain and I couldn't help but chuckle. I can't explain how much joy watching you that day brought me.

I have also ENJOYED watching you become one AMAZING big brother. Not only has it been one of my greatest joys to welcome her to our family but it has brought your Daddy and I much joy and happiness to watch how natural it has become to watch you be her big brother. I remember you weren't too sure about her at the hospital the first time you saw her, it didn't take you too long and you were giving her a kiss, then a hug and you two have been inseparable ever since. When you come home, the first thing you do is go to Elaina's crib and say hi and it's like you two haven't skipped a beat together. You are so sweet and careful with her and it is so fun to watch you take on that role in your life. She loves her big brother and always wants to be just like you!

Along with your beautiful, perfect, love, you have taught your Daddy and I many hard and important lessons in life, it isn't always easy in our situation, however, the rewards are far beyond anything your Daddy and I could imagine in our wildest dreams. We've learned a few hard lessons with you that have been hard, painful, and humbling experiences - but I know these things were things you needed to learn and understand. I'm grateful my life experiences have taught me the strength and insight I needed to go through these learning experiences with you and while they were hard to go through at the time, the life experience it has taught you was certainly worth going through the fire to get.

We have many happy memories with you Marcus and look forward to many more to come. You have brought much joy and happiness to ALL whose lives you impact. I am grateful for the way you've touched my life. Popi, Elaina and I love you "to the moon and back." We hope you have a wonderful birthday and look forward to a lifetime of experiences with you. We can't imagine our life without you and are grateful you are part of our family!

Marcus and his Popi the day he was born. March, 16, 2006.

So sweet.

I love his hair. It use to stick straight up no matter what they did to try and style it.

I'm sorry bud but these are all the pictures I have of you the day of your birth and shortly after. Daddy has begged your Mommy for more but we are still waiting, so until then, these will have to do, if something should happen, I just want you to know, I don't play favorites! ;) I love you!

So little and so sweet, you would never believe now he had black hair when he was born. ;)

So precious. I wish the others I wanted from this series would upload but I can't get them to copy or into Picasa to edit so I can save...:( If I wait, it'll never get done so these will have to do. :)