Today is a day of many emotions. I wrote on facebook last night that I was having trouble sleeping. Granted that was partly because I was making KJ the cake of his dreams (more on that later), but it was also because I was in awe of the fact that it was the last night that my first-born would be four. How in the world does time pass so quickly? I was in bed wondering if I fell asleep, would I wake to find that KJ was ready for college?
While having a BIG FIVE-YEAR-OLD is full of emotions, there are few things in my life that make me more proud than watching my children grow. It is an interesting pride, though, because it is a pride full of humility. Is that even possible? There is pride in watching them grow, learn, change, love, care, laugh and knowing a piece of them is ME. Yet humility in knowing I get a lot of credit for those things- yet am so inadequate to teach them. I hold my job a a mom at high importance. But just above it, I hold the relationships I have with my Jesus and my husband. That’s where my children get their amazingness…their AMAZING creator. I do get the privilege of seeing it all…first steps, first words, FIFTH BIRTHDAY, Pre-K graduation, but like the rest of my life I’m not walking this path of motherhood alone. I wouldn’t dare. I’m so thankful that the Lord (abundantly) fills the gaps I leave, and that so many others love my children right beside me. Because I’ve been so keenly aware of that lately, that’s also been my special prayer for KJ (and his brother and sister)…that I’ll be able to prepare my children for the path, but that they will never EVER try to walk the path alone.
Dearest KJ-
Today is the day. This very day you are FINALLY five. I can vividly remember the day you made me a mom, and changed my life forever. Seems like it was just yesterday and I can hardly believe that you are now five. While the time has flown by for me, I know it has crept along for you, as you anticipated today. I’m pretty sure you have been counting down to five for your whole life. Definitely for the last year…as you have been 4 then 4 and 1/2, 4 and 2/3, 4 and 3/4 and (my personal favorite) 4 and 11/12. You have never wanted anything more than to just.be.five. AND now you are! Your new goal is to just be as old as Caleb H, and I can’t think of a better goal. I love this about you. I love that you get your mind set on something, and work and work until you accomplish it. You are a very driven little 5-year-old and I know you will use that to do great things. I also love that you love to plan. You like to look forward to events and see the details in them. You had distinct ideas about what your fifth birthday would look like, you like to talk about what School will be like in “the fall”, and you like to plan games for your siblings and cousins. I think this makes you (a little) like Mommy, and i love seeing this come alive in you. You are also like Daddy. Not only do you look so much like he did as a boy, you also have his heart for caring for other people. I love the way you are quick to apologize, quick to compromise, slow to anger and eager to serve. Your Daddy and I love to talk to you. We all love the creative and intelligent things that you come up to share with us. Sometimes we joke that you are a 30-year-old stuck in a five-year-old body. Promise that you’ll always tell us secrets, always share your dreams with us, always tell us stories to make us laugh and always tell us when you are sad…ok, bud?
As I told you tonight, we are so proud of you. We are very proud of all you have accomplished in school, the way you help around the house, the positive attitude with which you approach all things, and the way you treat your siblings and cousins. But mostly we are very VERY proud of the way you love Jesus. We love that you remind us that you DO love us…but not as much as Jesus. I’m thankful for you today, on your fifth birthday. I’m proud that you are mine and Daddy’s. But I’m even more proud that you are His!
I love you to the moon and back!
Mommy
Because FIVE was such a big birthday for KJ (being one-whole-hand and everything), we did something special for him. RRL put together this little video of KJ growing. I love that this song, a children’s song, shares what it is like to be waiting and waiting and waiting to be bigger…only to realize it has HAPPENED.
I know this is already a long birthday post, but I have one more thing to share. Tonight in his little end of the year program, they said that KJ said he “wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up, loved circle time at school, and was looking forward to learning about catapults in Kindergarten.” All three of those answers completely surprised me, so I decided to “interview” KJ tonight and see what else I might uncover. Here are some of his responses. I absolutely love this age and the things that come out of his mouth.
A: So, K, do you know what an interview is?
KJ: Can you remind me?
A: Sure- its when someone asks questions of someone important, to find out more about them. Can I interview you?
K: (beaming) Sure, mom.
A: What is your favorite Color?
K: Blue. Wait. I mean Green.
(he and Cbug recently decided to “trade” favorite colors…its hard to remember which one is his now, i’m sure)
A: What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
K: Build Leggos.
A: What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy?
K: Build leggos. Wait. Should it be something girly? How about go the store, just you and me.
A: Favorite thing to do with Cbug and Lou?
K: Build leggos with Cbug and play in Lou’s kitchen with her (she really likes that, Mom).
A: What is your favorite superhero?
K: The Joker.
A: Well, what is your favorite superhero good guy?
K: Oh. Spiderman
A: Where is your favorite place to go?
K: Could you skip that question and just ask me about my favorite bad guy right now?
A: Who is your favorite bad guy?
K: The joker. He’s really bad.
A: i see. So where is your favorite place to go?
K: Nonna’s house.
A: What is your favorite thing to wear?
K: Spiderman shirt
A: To eat?
K: Cake
A: What makes you laugh?
K: When it is dark outside, sometimes people try to sting bugs, but people don’t have stingers and its just so hilarious that I can’t even really talk about it right now.
A: Um, ok.
A: What do you want to be when you grow up/
K: A Daddy.
then a little while later Maybe I also want to be a teenager AND a Daddy…together.
A: What do you want to teach your kids when you are a Daddy.
K: The things my Daddy teaches me. Like not getting on the fireplace and measure twice, cut once.
A: What is your favorite bible verse?
K: The three…I mean four…men in the fiery furnace.
A: Who were they?
K: (I prompted Shadrach), Meshach, and Abednego…and an angel.
A: Well, really that is a bible STORY. What is your favorite verse that you have memorized?
K: OH. That new verse Daddy taught me. Proverbs 27:12
I have a lot more to say about our day today. We had a full day of celebration. LITERALLY all day. But that will be another post. For now, I just wanted to gush a little and share a tiny sliver of why I love a certain 5-year-old more than I can say.
ABL
Your letter to him brought tears to my eyes! I love love this post! He has such a good daddy and momma
I loved this post! Thanks for sharing the interview, what a great insight into his little mind!
I think it’s time to bring KJ to his favorite place to visit! Love, Aunt Pauli (Paulette — better known as Nonna’s mommy!)
I agree with Aunt Pauli!
Love this post!
Happy Birthday KJ! Your nonna loves you to the moon and back!
Nonna
Pure Sweetness. I loved it all.