Dear Bently,

We celebrated Easter today! You had a blast, at least as far as I could tell! We had a strange Easter because I worked till 5 am. So we didn't actually hunt for eggs till after 12! Ops! We loved hunting for the eggs though you were really REALLY bad at finding the eggs. You are just not a good looker. You just stand there staring. We're like, "Bently look right there!" and some how you still don't see it. Haha! You had a blast doing it though! You would exclaim, "Oh an egg!" every time! :) We also did a little hunt outside with plastic eggs. You didn't improve much even with the earlier practice! We came inside and you started to open some eggs. Your Dad had put money in a couple of them because that's what Grandma Hodson had done when he was little. There was one with some change and one with a dollar bill. I filmed you opening the change one but you didn't have much reaction. Then as you opened the egg with the dollar bill (when I wasn't filming of course! :( ) You exclaimed "Oh my gosh!! Money!" I guess you already know a dollar is more impressive than some change! ;)


Later I was feeling guilty because we didn't make it to church due to my working so late. I really wanted you to know the real meaning of Easter. So I tried to explain the resurrection to you as best I could in terms you would understand. In the middle of the story you stop to tell me, "Jesus gave me my Spiderman puzzle." I didn't quite know how to react to that one! ;) So maybe you didn't quite understand the story, but at least you know Jesus gives you things! ;)


I love you my big boy. You seriously look so old to me now. I can't believe that you are a kid now and not a little toddler. It makes me a  little sad! :( I love you more than words could possibly describe. I hope you always know I have a testimony of the resurrection. That I know our family can be together forever, even after this life, because of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.


I love you Bently!


Love,
Mom

Dear Bently,

I've been meaning to write you forever! But life is just crazy hecktik as usual! :) Here we are, Easter Sunday, (april 8, 2012) and you are already one! I can't even believe it! I still look at you and see my tiny little baby. That soft little newborn I brought home from the hospital. I remember constantly marveling at how small you were. You're little hand would grab onto my fingers and I would just stare at those tiny fingers. I couldn't believe something so small could hold my heart so tightly. Even though you are bigger now, you still hold my heart little man. Everyday I get to spend with you is my favorite day. I hate having to work but it's what we have to do at this time. I can't wait for the day when I can stay home with you and get to snuggle and read to you and wake up with you in the morning! Seriously can't wait!
You're birthday was so special. I think all first birthdays are. I know you'll never go back to being a baby. You are a toddler and a big boy now. I know you already see yourself that way! As all the people who love you gathered around and sang happy birthday I couldn't help but get chocked up. I looked over at your Dad and at you sweet face and I just felt the severe and utter joy that surrounded that moment. As I watched the flickering candle I told Dad to make a wish for you, since you weren't old enough to make one yourself. I wish so many things for you my boy. I guess what I wish more than anything is for you to live a life full of happiness and love. :)
We took you to the zoo on your actual birthday and it was too fun. You weren't exactly super excited about looking at the animals but you still enjoyed yourself! I loved holding you and pointing at the animals. I loved watching you get excited and slightly scared watching the porcupines run around. I love your wonder at looking at the birds. I loved your sweet smile while staring at the monkeys! The whole day was magical and wonderful. It's a day I wish I could replay over and over again! You have given me so many amazing memories already and it's only been a year! Kid you have quite an influence over your Mother!
This morning was so fun! Last Easter you were only a couple weeks old and just laid there the whole time. This Easter you were able to crawl around and gather the eggs and put them in the basket.You LOVED all the candy and constantly wanted more! You looked so cute in the outfit we gave you! You are so funny now! You LOVE to walk! Not by yourself, but if someone is holding onto your hands then you practically run everywhere! The whole time you are walking you are just laughing and grinning! :) It always makes my day! :)
I love you so much Bently. I wish I could spend every second of everday with you! :) You are my whole world son!!
Love,
Mom