Dear Austin,

Dear Austin,
You are my sweet little boy and my heart is so full that I get to have you to be mine. I love to listen to you sing songs to Caleb when you think no one else is around, your little three-year-old voice singing things like "You're spec-a to meeee, you're spec-a to meee" or "I love you Caaaalebbbbbb."

You ask almost every day, "Is it Sunday?" and then when we say no, you follow that question up with "Can I watch a Daniel Tiger/Paw Patrol/Super Why?" Smart boy- getting our excuses out of the way before you ask. Ha. You really like to watch TV - and I really like that you still think that those three shows are the only ones out there.

You're been a little afraid at nighttime lately, insisting that we keep the closet light on, and being truly scared when you see a shadow of something you don't recognize. We've watched a lot of Daniel Tiger about what to do when you're scared. And either Dad or I have been laying with you for a while before bedtime. (Because, it's real hard to say no to your sweet voice asking "Will you lay by me?") The other night when I was trying to leave the room fairly quickly, you kept asking me something. I thought you were asking me to lay by you, or to get you something and I kept verbally pushing you off with things like "I can't lay by you, but I will come and check on you in 15 minutes". Finally I realized that I wasn't understanding what you were saying and listened harder. My heart cracked when I realized what you were asking me: "Will you say a prayer that I will be safe?" My sweet boy, I hope that you always remember that saying a prayer will help you with anything you need in your life. Thank you for reminding me of the same thing.

I love you, Austin. I pray for you every day. Both in gratitude for you, and that you will have the things you need in your life to learn and grow and to develop a testimony of our Savior. I pray that I can be the mom that you deserve, and that I can be better every day.

Love,
Your mom