My goodness. Just typing the title of this post made my heart heavy. In many ways, this has been the longest two years of my life. I say that in the most loving, grateful way possible. Seriously, I do. And I am sure that if you're a parent you completely understand what I mean by that. And then, in many respects, I feel as though sometime two years ago I went to the hospital in the middle of the night, I blinked my eyes and now before me is a little boy who I call my own and I don't even remember how it all happened.
I may or may not have shed a few tears this week thinking about how my baby is no longer a baby (well, to quote Mariah Carey "you'll always be my baby" Brayden). I think that over the past week God has given me little glimpses of the very real, sweet side of my first born son. Sometimes my days get so bogged down with the discipline and grind of life that I forget what a true joy Brayden Thomas is to not only me, but everyone around him. He is a true social butterfly, and has never met a stranger (ask anyone who visits Target, and they will tell you so!). Watching his personality bloom before my eyes is one of the greatest treasures. He definitely has a tender heart for people, which I can only hope God will use in great ways as he continues to grow. He has a love for sports beyond anything I ever dreamed a child of mine would have, which makes me so happy to know I'll have that bond! He is starting to really understand Jesus and God, and it just melts my heart when he asks to sing about Jesus (he actually says what sounds like "Zaza" but he signs Jesus when he says it, so I know he's talking about Jesus). He even points out pictures of Jesus without any prompting from Drew and me. He is SUPER talkative right now. Seriously, I don't feel like he ever quits talking, which is both annoying and cute all at the same time. Sometimes, he'll run up to me, say "Momma!" very emphatically, then with complete gusto say something in the most serious, emphatic way possible, and then run away. Most of the time I get bits and pieces of what he's saying, and the rest is gibberish. It makes me laugh! He's into a phase of wanting to give "high fives", "knucks" and holding hands with us while we're in the car. Sometimes he gets frustrated because "Tan" (his nickname for Connor) won't give him knucks in the car-- haha! Brayden LOVES Toby, and every morning when Toby wakes up and comes in the living room, Brayden says "mornin' Toe!" (he calls Toby "toe"). He can pretty much recite anything you ask him to, which is so cute. He's also starting to say his name, which I love hearing. His favorite thing to wear right now is basketball shorts, football shirts (either his Razorback jersey or Razorback t-shirt) and flip flops (which he calls fip fops). I'm scared he might have his Daddy's style gene :o/ He's become quite the helper around the house, helping me dust, and loading the washing machine and dryer for me. I think a chore chart might be in order, with a VERY small 'commission' (our word for allowance) ensuing soon. I asked Drew what his favorite part about Brayden right now is, and he said without a doubt it's the fact that Brayden has such a zeal for life. I couldn't agree more.
Today while I was cleaning the house, I had Sandi Patty's "Friendship Company" CD on in the background for Brayden (he LOVES music playing, so I've been trying to be more intentional about playing it when we're hanging out at home). One of the songs on there is called Masterpiece, and while dusting my living room furniture I started getting teary eyed listening to the song. I thought I'd post the lyrics here, just because I think right now it sums up how I feel about Brayden right now.
Masterpiece by Sandi Patty
Before you had a name or opened up your eyes
Or anyone could recognize your face.
You were being formed so delicate in size
Secluded in God's safe and hidden place.
With your little tiny hands and little tiny feet
And little eyes that shimmer like a pearl
He breathed in you a song and to make it all complete
He brought the masterpiece into the world.
You are a masterpiece
A new creation He has formed
And you're as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn.
And I'm so glad that God has given you to me
Little Lamb of God, you are a masterpiece.
And now you're growing up your life's a miracle
Every time I look at you I stand in awe
Because I see in you a reflection of me
And you'll always be my little lamb from God
And as your life goes on each day
How I pray that you will see
Just how much your life has meant to me.
And I'm so proud of you
What else is there to say?
Just be the masterpiece He created you to be.
Brayden Thomas-- You truly are a masterpiece. Your life is a miracle and I stand in awe of how much God has blessed us through every breath that you breath. I know I say it every time I write one of these posts, but I cannot express enough how much you mean to me. You are the blessing I prayed for and the answer to so many prayers. You have brought so much joy to my life, taught me so much about our God and completed a piece of me I never even knew was incomplete. Thank you for making me smile each and every day, and thank you too for the hard days. God has used you to make me a better person in more ways than you will ever know. I love you so much it hurts, and I am so proud of everything you are. Happy 2 year birthday son!
Love,
Your Momma
