Happy birthday, Caiden!!

One of my favorite boys in the entire world turned 10 years old today.. Well, technically yesterday.. anyway, on the 30th! This is so significant and special to me because he has had a sweet, special place in my life for nearly his entire life! I met his sweet mama and daddy through my old church, and have been babysitting for them on a weekly basis ever since. It has been a remarkable experience to watch him grow. I have seen him come from a little toddler, only a bit older than Abby Kate is now, into a young boy who finds his identity in Christ. He is absolutely brilliant, and has a passionate love for reading and learning new things. He also has a fierce competitive side, but is the best sport in the world when it comes to winning or losing. He is sensitive, sweet, loving, creative, and so unique. It has been an honor to watch him grow into the little man he is becoming. It saddens me to think that someday very soon he will be old enough to stay home with the younger two kids, and that I won't be called on anymore. I rest assured in knowing, however, that we will always be in eachothers' lives. I am so proud of the person he has become, his beliefs, morals, and attitude towards others.

I feel as if he, along with the rest of his family, are part of my family. I have prayed fervently through the years for this precious family. I have seen them experience joy, trials, success, uncertainty.. and all with an incredible faith and reliance on Jesus! Their example has deeply impacted me in my personal life, marriage, relationships, friendships, and parenting.

It is incredible to me to see the plans that God has laid out for me. He knew, the moment I set up our first sitting job, that this would not be the first and last time I would see this family. He had planned for us to become connected for much longer than that. I love and treasure the relationship I have with their mom. She has become such a mentor to me, as well as a friend who I look up to in so many ways. I have travelled with them, stayed with them for weeks at a time, and grown to love them greatly. This family has had a big hand in my life, and I hope they know how much I care for and love them.

Every time their sweet mom leaves the house she tells all three of the kids to "be a blessing." If she only knew how her family had blessed me over all these years. They are family to me, and I love them so! :)

Happy birthday, sweet Caiden!! I hope this tenth birthday was the best one you've experienced yet! It's bittersweet for me to see you grow up right before my eyes, but I am so excited to see what God has in store for your life. I know that, whatever it is, it will be BIG!! Love you so much! For your birthday, before the snocone stands close, I would love to take you to finally get that JUMBO snocone. :)

xoxo, Miss Bastina :)