Today was spent in full celebration mode as Austin has made it yet another year and is now a big strong four-year old. I parent-helped at school this morning, armed with pirate cookies.

Then we had a picnic in our backyard and went for a run before picking Braedan up from his after-school tennis class. The boys are now wiling away the rest of this unseasonably hot afternoon jumping on the birthday present of the century.

Tonight we’ll have dinner in the yard and cupcakes with candles (I’m saving the real cake for his party this weekend). And another year will have gone by.

Not an easy one, that’s for sure. One filled with fear and sadness, worry and pain. One filled with endless hours and days and weeks in the hospital, chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and transfusions (oh, and stitches!). But one equally filled with tender moments, snuggles and kisses, laughter, bikes rides and picnics. Splashing in the pool all summer (even with that big blue arm) and thoroughly enjoying this little thing called life.

So I’ll take it. We’ll take it. All that’s come before us. And all that lies ahead. The good, the bad and the ugly, the horrifying and terrifying alongside the magnificent and miraculous. I will welcome every bit of life the next year throws at me just as long as next year, on September 21st, I can sit back, tired but satisfied after a full day (week, month, year) of celebrating my child.

Happy Birthday, Austi-bean. And many many more.