Friday Morning: Growing Up

I'd like to know who this adorable, dirt eating toddler is and where in the world is my baby boy?? This little one loves to be outside with daddy in the yard and is teaching his mama daily what it means to have a son. It means dirt. And mud. And independence. And realizing that boys need that wildness they seek after in a yard full of dirt and water and tools. It means rubbing sidewalk chalk all over his freshly bathed little legs. It means chasing after the dog and finally catching up with her and squealing as she licks his face all over. It means loving his mama but reaching for his daddy and joining him in his yard work. It means sitting still only to watch the lawn mower at work.

And these two. Just looking at this picture brings tears to my eyes. They've known each other since birth, talk on the phone whenever their mama and I get a few minutes to chat. They've gone from bitty babies, to toddlers, to this, sweet kids holding hands and walking through California Adventure. We may or may not have already set up their arranged marriage. This may or may not end up as a wedding invitation photo. I may or may not have told Chloe to marry Josh because he loves Jesus and his mommy always has fruit snacks in her house, and she may or may not have agreed.

Our kids and April's kids. Ages 5, 4, 2, and three. Where does the time go??

Another school year, come and gone. My girl, already telling people she's in first grade. My Ava Joy, getting excited to attend preschool where Chloe went, finally feeling like something is her own. It's like I blinked and have these three....kids. Not babies, but kids. I am going to savor every second of this delicious summer, I have to. Because I know I'll blink again and it's over. They'll be grown even more and needing me less. It's all the seasons, you now? We wish them away so easily, wishing for things to be easier, less stressful. Wishing for more sleep. But then the wishes come true and they need you less and want their independence. So I'm going to enjoy this day, now.