Nolen,

You are so funny. Gosh, you have the ability to FRUSTRATE me SO EASILY but in an instant make me want to SQUEEZE you with love. Lately, you have been very challenging. I am hoping it is your age. When I am on the phone- usually with Nana, you become so defiant and disobedient because you KNOW you can get away with things. Today for instance, you pushed Ollie, you threw your toys EVERYWHERE, you were playing with the mouse and keyboard- just driving me insane while I was on the phone. Then when a friend came over to chat, you did the same things! Only this time you put food in your cup of water then dumped it on the table- WHAT? WHY? I guess you really are pushing my buttons and making me a better person in the long run as I learn how to deal and handle circumstances such as this. But then I LOVE our relationship. I LOVE that you come to me even if I have scolded you to death and sent you to your room 5 times. You come to me and say "I'm so sorry" and then you snuggle me and let me look into your beautiful blue eyes. I love it. I love you. I just hope I am doing all that I can to raise you well in this crazy world of ours. I'm scared of the future with the way times change so fast these days. I seriously hope that when you are a MAN you will be a good MAN like your dad. A MAN who respects women. A MAN who LOVES to serve. A MAN who LOVES his wife. A MAN who loves his kids. A MAN who knows who he is and what he can do. A MAN who is determined to make good things happen. A MAN who is true and faithful in his covenants. A MAN who still loves his MAMA:) My mom told me today that she used to think when she was raising all her boys, " I am raising a MAN- this little boy will one day be a man and I need to do all that I can to make sure I raise a good MAN" I hope I am doing that Nolen. I love you more than words can express. Please always know that!

Loves,
Mama. Mom.