riley joel

yesterday was riley's birthday.
he is 8 years old! i can hardly believe it!
he woke up to these scattered around the house

then i made him "RY" shaped chocolate chip pancakes
(we really focus on healthiness around here!)

i gave him the day off from school, because hey...we can :)
i loved watching him open his presents. he is a very thankful little boy.

the currier's always make for an insta-party when they are here, but since they're in virginia, we had to settle for the next best thing...skype!

there are so many things that i love about riley...i really don't even know where to begin!
see this face? this is why he gets away with a lot more than he should.
he has the cutest little face, and knows how to make me laugh!

this boy is seriously amazing with a soccer ball. i mean...i know he's my son and everything, but he has mad skills.

and these pictures remind me of how many of my days have been filled with smiles, hugs and giggles..and maybe a few tears here and there! haha :)

riley has always been a talker. ever since he was really little.
he is hilarious. he can make anyone laugh..sometimes without even trying.
he has a really sensitive heart.
he loves to snuggle and always always tells me that he loves me.
he never wants me to leave his side. for real.
whenever i go ANYWHERE he always asks me to go as fast as i can so i can get home sooner.
he questions a lot. but in a good way.
i like that about him.
i want him to understand what he believes and why he believes it.
he trusted Jesus as his Savior when he was 4, and i can not even tell you how incredibly amazing it is to know for sure that your entire family will be in heaven together someday! i have no fear when it comes to that!
he loves legos and playmobil
he loves soccer and basketball
he loves cake
he hates ice cream
he hates every vegetable. seriously.
he loves popcorn and could probably eat that and chips and salsa every day
he doesn't like eating first thing in the morning
he has a really hard time getting to sleep at night.
he prays for his friends salvation
he is a really good singer, but doesn't like to sing in front of people
he is really strong and super fast
he loves playing in the snow
he is adventurous
he wants a baby brother really bad
he loves his puppy blanket
he loves his big brother
he is so cute i can sometimes hardly stand it.

and those are some of the things that i love about my ry.

i can't wait to see what God has planned for this little boy!