I began a list. This list is slightly different, and not necessarily inspired by a quite famous book circulating among Christian ladies at the moment. (NOT that there is anything wrong with her list!) I think sometimes, in the mundane/the "normal" it is easy to take for granted things that don't come to every parent (or child). As I have written about "several" times before, the Lord in His gracious sovereignty has given me two special boys who have truly helped me see amazement and wonder in the normality of daily life.
Things I will never take for granted:
1. Shoes-and the ability to wear them
2. Socks-whether they have Spiderman (his first pair ever!), Avengers, Skylanders...and now just plain ole' white ones...a little boy willing to wear them.
3. Cookies-you would be amazed at how helpful a cheap, off-brand oreo can be to encourage a will to bend.
4. Giggles-there was a long time in which screaming was a LOT more prevalent than a belly laugh in our home.
5. Hugs-After a meltdown.
6. Hugs-spontaneous, for no reason at all.
7. A loving teacher-we have been abundantly blessed to have two years of amazing teachers who have loved our (sometimes unlovable) son.
8. Words-they took SO long to come! Whether the word is simple and a statement in and of itself, or a whole sentence-amazing! The words are different than others' might be, but they are his, and they communicate...and it is awesome.
9. A wave-the releasing of me. The "it's okay momma, I'll stay here" kind. The "I trust you to come back, and I'll go in" gesture...that sometimes comes with a blowing kiss.
10. A hug and a kiss goodbye-sometimes two or three times before he can walk into school...making sure that I know he loves me...and wanting to be reassured in my love for him. And I love it each time. Sadly, I've seen other mom's on their second round of "goodbyes" get irritated at their child-yelling at them to get into school/back into line. I hope his last forever...but when he hits that age that boys do...when it's just not "okay" to show physical affection to your momma anymore, I'll have some sweet memories. And yes, other mom, I see you scoff...and I'll take your scoff any day to have an extra moment with my boy.
11. A hand slipping into mine-melts me EVERY time! He has just finally reached the point where he doesn't run away with every glimpse of freedom, and will actually slip his hand into mine, walking right beside me. I'm not going to lie...it has caused me to tear up more than once.
12. Siblings playing happily together-SO much training has gone to get even a few minutes of this wonderment. The grace displayed by (especially) the older two at times to achieve happy harmony is amazing evidence of the Lord's love of our family.
13. Obedience/Cooperation-Just last night, he obeyed when I asked him to pick up his cars (scattered all over the living room). This used to be an impossible feat. But, last night, he did it. He was excited to obey, and I was just so amazed at how far he has come-and hugged him tight enough to make him wince.
As I stated, this list is so far from exhaustive. So much of these improvements/advancements have come in the last year. It is so overwhelming (in SUCH a good way!) to watch him grow. Psalm 139 states that from the womb, God knit every person together-designing and forming in His perfect way. I get to stop and bask in the glow of His creation in my little ones. It is beautiful and wonderful and so many other adjectives. It is not easy, it is humbling, and it is unsure. I think that is one of the most amazing things He has taught me. I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future...and that is finally okay with me. (Not that it matters, since it is the truth.) As I've been teaching my older two, God designed our family in the perfect way. He knew we would all love each other better than anyone else in the world. He knew we needed the challenge to draw us to Him, and He loves us enough to want us to run to Him when it is difficult. And that is quite hard to take for granted.
