Saturday, June 24, 2017

Overheard

While the boys squabbled over something in the car on the way home

Mom: "Who's the boss"

Two year old: "Me!"

Mom: "I don't think so dude"

Two year old after a brief pause: "Boss baby"

...I've unintentionally created a monster

Thursday, June 8, 2017

To Boys Who Grow

It's almost midnight. I have folded about 6 loads of laundry, started an article for a group I periodically write for, scrubbed my kitchen, and should be packing for a weekend trip we take tomorrow. Blogging is not what I should be doing right now.

But here's the thing. Today is June 8th. Tomorrow is June 9th, my oldest baby's fifth birthday. And my heart can barely stand it. Five years ago tonight he and I worked like dogs for him to be able to make his entrance into this world. And that baby has now grown into a beautiful, inquisitive, energetic, dinosaur obsessed, kind, brotherly boy who often seems to me to be wise beyond his years. And I completely adore him.

I know I can't stop the growing, though I have tried. When I ask him to stop now he just says "mom I can't. Heavenly Father made me so I could grow into a big daddy". And of course he's right. But what I wouldn't give just to slow his pace and savour it a little bit longer.

Yesterday was a hot, glorious day. And so along with some friends of our we went to a local splash park. Given the heat of the day, lack of a public outdoor pool, and the fact that it's one of only two in town, the place was pretty packed. I was keeping as close an eye on him as I could, but at some point when I wasn't looking he had managed to run into someone pretty hard. He ran crying into my arms, with a slightly bloody nose, and I held him close until the pain subsided. It was nothing remarkable. It's an act I've performed at least a thousand times and a hallmark of motherhood. But holding him there in my arms with his younger brother balanced on one knee it hit me: I may not get to do it a thousand times more for him. In September he's off to full day kindergarten. His landscape, our landscape, is about to change in some significant ways and the boy who knows his mom can make anything better...might not believe that for more than a few more years. And so I held him as if I could slow time. As if I could freeze it. As if I really could fix whatever came his way.

Oh Adam. I hope someday you always know how incredible you are. I hope you always ask so many questions. I hope that as you grow, you will learn to fix the problems that come your way, but I also hope you never get too old or wise to ask me for help.

Happy Birthday Bud. You completely rock our world.