Roen is 9...

Tuesday, my sweet little Roen turned 9! Each year, he inches closer to the double digits, and now we are at his very last year in the single digits! Roen continues to me my laid back little man, who rolls with the punches, smiles his days away and beams with a very sweet, positive attitude. Remi is his very best friend, and where he leads, Roen will follow. They fight like cats and dogs, but I'm not sure there is anyone's company they prefer than each other's!

Some of his favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, pickles, tacos, spaghetti, beef jerky, chips with Julio's hot sauce, PB & J, popcorn with ranch seasoning, bacon, and pancakes with lots of syrup!

Roen is a lover of all animals! He loves to cuddle any animal he can and often cries when he sees an animal get hurt- in movies and in real life. Turtles are his very favorite! He has two pet turtles- a big one named I Love Turtles and a baby named Itty. He loves his turtles dearly and is very good about feeding them and taking them out of their tanks to give them some love.

Roen also loves sports! There isn't a competitive sport I haven't seen him love and excel at- he is our natural athlete. We love watching Roen play sports because he plays with a smile, respects his coaches, and never will you hear a negative word leave his mouth during or after a game. His positivity amazes me! There is no one on the court, field or course he would rather beat than himself. This little booger, at the early age of 9, has found the secret to life- never comparing himself to others, never making it his goal to be better than his peers, but simply setting goals, reaching them, setting new goals and always striving to beat his all-time bests.

Roen makes life so easy. He is easy love, easy to be around, easy to talk to, easy to discipline. He likes everyone to be happy around him and does his best to be kind to others. He is a rough and tumble boy, with a heart of gold! I think if I were to squeeze him hard enough, sunshine would spill out!

He loves hugs from him momma, sports with his daddy, adventures with his brother. He loves bedtime stories and hugs from me the most. He still sits in my lap from time to time, loves a good back scratch as he falls asleep and tells me he loves me often. If Micah wants to squeeze in a quick 9 holes, Roen will be first on the cart and listens to everything Micah teaches. If Remi wants to ride bikes, he is game, if Remi wants to catch lizards, he right there with him... big brothers often provide the very best entertainment, and you will rarely see one without the other by his side!

Roen is such a gift to us. I often think of him like the magical piece that balances us all out. Micah and Remi tend to be a bit intense and both have tempers that can flare easily- Roen is the sunshine that tips the scale.

Roen, you were born a quiet little soul who reminded me of an old man- loving to eat and sleep. In years since, you have grown into your own unique little person, but you remain the boy with the same quiet presence and tender heart. I hope you never loose that smile and that you let your positivity lead you always.

We love you big, sunshine boy!