So, I don’t even know how that happened. Six. It just sounds old. I mean five is still squishy and little and come sit in my lap let’s talk or sing but six. I know six. I used to teach sixes. They would enter my first grade classroom hand-in-hand with their momma. Hanging in her shadow, timid and shy mostly because they were six and then six gets closer to seven and then, well they’re grown. Which is why I’m strugglin’ tonight. My baby boy. Do you hear me? Our baby is going to be six in just a few short hours.
Be near me Lord Jesus.
Seriously, with this one, those five words have become my mantra.
To paint more of the whole picture …this wee little one is the one whoprompted me to go to the doctor thinking I was pre-menopausal at the ripe old age of 32 only to discover that I was nine weeks along with the little bolt from the blue. God opened my eyes to the world of wonder, AWE and surprise with our little Jake.
He’s our touchy feely rascal. Crawl up in your lap-hold me-read me a book child. He’s charming, generous with compliments, and can wink better than most grown men (heaven help me) Who also happens to be our short fuse. Zero to 60 in about ten flat. No lie.
He’s agile (also known as bend-y like his momma #nottrue) can balance on air, reads like the wind, hates storms and ADORES all fuzzy animals. No reptiles please.
Gifted with animals just like his daddy..He’s still working through whether he is going to be a zoo keeper or trick rider when he grows up (& of course I’m referring to Jake as a possible trick rider and not the cowboy) (I digress) (pray for us)
and he’s turning SIX tomorrow. Stop it.
Most SPONTANEOUS Jake moment was……….
His birth. My lifelong, childhood friend literally caught the 8 pound three ounce rascal ( saving him from hitting the floor) on June 6, 2008.. He was ready my doctor was not so my friend unexpectedly delivered my son. True story.
SCARIEST moment:
August 1st of last year. He’d asked if he could go swimming in the pond. I said no mostly because I was cleaning and distracted and didn’t want him in the pond without an attentive adult present and also because our pond stinks something AWFUL by late July. I said no, took five step inside to the washer to retrieve a wet load of clothes I wanted to hang out to dry, turned, took five steps back to the porch when I saw him bobbing. His head was above the water and then his head went under and then his head came up again. He was struggling and was half way across the pond!!!! Swear.
“KICK JAKE! SWIM JAKE! as I sprinted across the yard somehow hurdling the pasture gate. Tuck was running towards him from the other side racing to see which of us could get to him first. All the while I kept hollerin’ “KEEP GOING JAKE! YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! KEEPI SWIMMING” He was too far in to turn back and yet appeared too tired to make it across. I was a millisecond away from diving in when he reached the bank. I immediately stopped, bent over and almost threw up. Attempting to catch my breath I glanced up when I heard him sobbing and running towards me. He jumped into my arms. We wept for a moment that seemed like forever and never enough all at the same time. When I had enough air in my lungs to speak I instructed him to head straight for the porch. When we reached the back porch we sat down hugged some more and then we prayed. I thanked God for keeping him safe and giving him the strength he needed to SWIM ACROSS THE WHOLE POND and finally I bent him over my knee and wore him out. That was also the day my oldest surrendered his heart to Jesus. He refers to that day as the day the Lord saved both of them. One son from hell and the other son from drowning. Both are very, very true.
PROUDEST Jake MOMENT:
This past Sunday. Our little Kindergarten graduate stood before our families as proud as a peacock. He said, “Momma I want my end of the year program to last 22 hours.”
This was our second year of home school. We had a really good year.
I wasn’t so in-the-box and over the top and the boys knew much more about what school-at-home looked like and what was to be expected of them having last year under their belts. Things we did well: read a lot of books, worked and acted out all sorts of math scenarios, memorized several scriptures, served each other and loved ones in our community. Things we can work on: allow more time for creativity, art & music, be more intentional with lessons outside of our written assignments, keeping things (like drawers and beds and under beds and porches) more tidy (yeah right #welivehere) manners- oh, and practicing self control (mom+students). And everybody said, “amen.”
Kate, our niece, was our end of the year program emcee. She was awesome. Our bear cubs (Tuck and his cousin Ro) bravely lead the pledge. My momma and her precious sister lead “My Country Tis of Thee” and Tuck volunteered to pray. He thanked God for a good year of school, for making his little brother and for all He helped them learn this year (proud momma moment)
Next, Jake sang a couple of his favorite songs, the alphabet, a scripture, poem and some counting patterns. I shared a few of his other accomplishments and finally J presented him with his Kindergarten Diploma.
His response was so innocent…so sincere, “WOW! thanks daddy!” (+two hugs)
The ceremony ended with a roaring round of applause and a bow.
It was the perfect ending.
and now he’s about to be six. My squishy, blue eyed, busy all the time, wear me slap out- LOVE HIM TO THE MOON AND STARS surprise baby boy is almost six.
Be near me Lord Jesus.
amen
What a great chapter in your book of life. And its only just begun. It is such a special time in their lives, these kidlet years where being a short person with purpose is revealed. Our babies grow so quickly, we pray God protects them from any and all obstacles. We look for His hand in their lives and are amazed when He is manifested in their actions. You are blessed.