The summer of grace

Last year I decided to do something wholly selfish. In the midst of the overcoming already daunting obstacles, I went back to school in persuit of my Masters degree. And while, 8 year old you will probably remember very little of this time, it is one I wont forget. Its significance will continue to hold on to my heart, because in it you have shown me something that I am forever grateful for, something I don’t always feel deserving of, but something that speaks multitudes about you Aiden Matthew. You have shown me Grace.

Amid the long nights of studying, and waking up after three hours of sleep you approach me cheerfully. Fully aware, you ask me how long you slept, and then how long I slept. Then you calucuate our sleep discrepencies, and pushing that cheeky grin into my face to say good morning, give a hug, and urge me to get my first cup of coffee, readily telling me your dreams the whole way. Grace.

Coming out to the patio to ask for the third time in thirty minutes how much longer my paper will take because you have discovered a great new game that we have to play, and never making me feel guilty, but instead bargaining for extra time. “Okay, but after twenty more minutes take a break and play,” you decipher. Grace.

Asking questions about what it means to master something, and being genuinely excited about the concept. Grace.

Finding moments where you come out of nowhere and offer a hug, and telling me you love more just to engage in our “Not possible aussible,” exchange. Grace.

And amid my moments of overwhelming frustration, you are there, and you are kind. Grace. 

Perhaps none of this was a prevalent to me as it was this summer, when my overwhelming school load impeded its way into our awesome east coast vacation. However, instead of letting it get to us we improvised - on every flight, car ride, bus ride, etc. that I had to read and write papers, there you were right next to me, just being the awesome kid you know how to be. Grace.  

You are so special kid. And I am so lucky to get to watch you grow into the amazing kid you are.

The Great Eight!

Oh dear son of mine, I have contemplated, edited, and rethought this post far too many times to count. I know it's past your birthday, but I have to admit over the last couple of weeks I just keep asking myself how it is possible that eight years have passed. How incredible it is to me that you have graced this planet with a time that seems both so short and yet moves far to fast. And then there is being charged with the task of how do you write about you at eight? EIGHT?!?!?!?!?! How, oh how are you already eight years old? What I would give to just slow down the time you seem to make pass by so quickly.

My sweet boy I'd love to say that this year passed by effortlessly for us, but that would be far from the truth. This has been a hard year in our worlds. Filled with far too much change, even busier schedules, and all the other facets of real life that we already work within. However, with all that has come this year you have never stopped surprising - it's kind of par for the course with you. So in an effort to keep tradition alive, here are the things I love about my now eight year old Aiden:

1. You have totally figured out sarcasm! One of my favorite moments from this year was the day you said "Momma, sometimes I don't understand your sarcasm..."  but you do. Oh do you. And if your little snippets of it are any indicator, you'll challenge even me in this arena. Lol.

2. Your awareness and true genuineness grows all the time. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I've never seen a kid who is so effected by the world. Your empathetic nature is so very endearing. A person on the corner asking for money, a news story you happen to catch - these things go down to your very core, you question this world we live in, and does it ever make us so proud of you.

3. You are so very entertaining. You are never without an imaginative idea in that head of yours. You are always playing some kind of game, or coming up with some wild concoction of an idea.  You love our surprise adventures. You can't get enough of things like going to the dam to watch the first star appear, playing your favorite video games with your dad, building Legos, or finding just one more reason why you need to see your grandma.

4. My gosh are you smart. Sooo smart. From questions about the Cuban Missile Crisis, to needing to know things about family and the Bible, to your ability to process and question new ideas - it's pretty amazing to watch.

5. You have an enviable zest for life experiences. You know you are going to college, and you talk about it ALL THE TIME. So cool. You are quick to let me know what areas you might study, discuss the things you'll get to do as you get older, and dream about a life you so want.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. You are such a blessing.

How very big you are for this world

Aiden,
It occurred to me how long it's been since I've updated this, and how much of your story has been missed out on. Though in this moment you are, once again, devouring books (goodness do you read) there is something that is so inherently clear to me: you NEVER stop. It's one of my favorite things about you, probably because it is so indicative of how you are like both of your parents. Even as you sit there, engrossed in another book, anxious to see what will happen next,  you are literally sword fighting along with it. Every place we go, every activity we do, every moment we share you are in so many different places of mind at once. Child, you are so very big for this world.

Even that brain of yours seems to hold too much sometimes. How much you think about is a constant surprise to me. Your worries are far to big for your almost eight year old self. Your ideas are far beyond what this world might even be ready for. And yet, you make perfect sense to you, and Lord I pray that you keep that.

I'm so proud of the boy you have become. I'm so not ready for another year to have slipped by so quickly.

Mr. Magnanimous

Dearest Squeedle Bettle,

As I went to write this post I was thinking of the many interactions I should share of you. Since this gets to act as your baby book, our time capsule of memories, it is important to me that you get a glimpse of your childhood in different ways. So as I started to reflect on all the posts I've done, of all the experiences you and I keep, today one thing in particular stood out to me that I think you should know - you child, are magnanimous.

I know I have shared your many antics. The ways in which you interpret and work with this world. But I have to note that the ability you have to captivate people is so very interesting to watch, and believe me, I get a lot of opportunities. I cannot go places without you drawing attention to your awesome self. Movie theatres filled with people laugh at your genuine commentary. Kids at playgrounds, restaurants, the zoo - can't not play with you. And taking you places like the store... don't get me started on the number of conversations you have gotten me caught up in with others because of your wit. The world is ever your audience and I have the best seat in the house.

Perhaps what is best about this trait is how well you use it. You are kind in your interactions with others. You give compliments in the most genuine of ways, and watching the joy it brings as you catch others off guard with it, is lovely. You are engaging with people in conversation. And the excitement that you bring when you truly love something is infectious.

This trait of yours makes me so excited for you. What will your world be like as you navigate your way through it with this quality? How will you use it? We get a glimpse sometimes at possibilities. At seven you dream of a life that includes animal activism for a job. You are not okay with seeing a homeless person on the street, and are quick to ask how we can help. You give your own earned money without question to charity boxes. And watching you take things in and ask questions that draw attention - we see big things for you. But better yet, you see big things for you. I can't wait to see where it all takes you. =0)

- Mommy

A Summer of Sunshine

Sweet boy of mine,
As another adventurous summer has come to an end, and you are now very much a (gulp!) second grader, there are so many snippets I pray you remember. Night drives and sitting on the dam to look at city lights and sunsets with me, bike rides and Lego building with your dad, grandpa the giggle monster, those rare moments of just grandma time you both love, and asking everyone you know to be a platypus in your entertaining and imaginative games. J.M Barrie, author of Peter Pan, once wrote “People who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”  And never has a quote rang more true for anyone, than this of you.

SEVEN!

It might be a couple days early, but as time is moving ever so quickly, my fit of nostalgia is ready to celebrate as I write post 101 (wowza!) about how amazing you are. So here we go... get  ready for a sappy, mushy, can't wrap my head around the fact that you are turning seven, mommy rant. =0)

These, my sweet boy, are captured moments in time. I know I have often told you of what kind of baby you were - happy, joyous, hilarious, and way too much fun. The best part is that while you seem so much older, and are so much wiser, you are such the same.  That tender heart that cares for all, that Peter Griffin laugh when you're trying to be sneaky, and your uncanny ability to make me laugh - you are you, and I am grateful.

 

So here are some things that I want captured of you, Aiden, at seven:

• You are confident in your abilities to do and master things. Swimming? You got it. Diving into the deep end? Didn't phase you a bit. Riding a bike? You're golden. Keep that determination and confidence kid - it will take you far.
• You are crazy! I don't think we have a bed time where you don't try to sneak out of your room at least once for a "surprise hug!" - it's heart melting. You push the limits often. While I know that you are all boy, I do pray that your guardian angel is as fast on his wings as you are on your feet.
• You are loving. I hear how you adore babies constantly. There are days you can't have enough snuggles. And there are moments that you are overwhelmed with the urge to help those in need - you couldn't make me more proud of you.
• You are coming into your own. Argumentative? You betcha. Stubborn? Lord help the fact that you got both your dads and my temper. Reasonable? Yes. Thank goodness, yes. Even at your most upset, you can talk about how you feel and listen to how others feel.
• You have the best imagination ever. The best part about this? Watching you create things and exploring your own limits. Every day you create new games, draw new invented dinosaurs, and beg to read just a few more chapters of your books.
• You have conviction that rivals most. You explore your faith, ask for stories of Jesus, and believe without hesitation or fear.
• Oh man are you a riot! Our conversations are the most hilarious moments of my day. Where you come up with stuff I do not know. But your one liner responses crack me up. Your ability to keep everyone smiling is truly a gift.

 

I am blessed beyond measure to get to share this world with you kid. Happy birthday Squeedle Beetle! 



This summer...

 Aiden has mastered two wheels...

 

Is attempting to master a new set of wheels...

Has enjoyed MANY trips to our Natural History museum (have I mentioned enough times that it's our second home?)...

 

 

Enjoyed our annual trek with Scott, Sam, and Justin -this time in Taos. Hours of pool swimming (another thing he has mastered), water fights, river swimming, tadpole catching, fireworks watching, and smores eating.  How lucky can a gal be to not only get these guys in my world, but that he does too? :)

I'd say so far we've had a pretty successful go at this summer break.

Oh my Squeedle Bettle, I do love you so.