love giving itself: December 2012

I have spent at least a few minutes every day crying for the past week because my baby boy is ONE!! There is nothing like having children that makes you understand the finality of time. You can not stop it or slow it down no matter what. Once the moments are gone, they're gone. There's no getting it back. I've been sort of mourning my baby turning one because I know that he is growing up and changing. I will never have this baby J.J. again. I will always have my J.J. And I truly can't wait to see who he grows up to be. But right now, he's perfect...no, seriously, he's perfect! He's the happiest, most snuggly baby I've ever met. He does have some downfalls, like car traveling and waking up too early, no matter what time he goes to bed. But when it comes to people, he's a dream! He knows how to make people happy. Soon, he'll learn to talk, and learn that he has a will. He will do things wrong and I will have to discipline him. Sure, I get on to him now, but he's not openly defiant yet. Well, he's getting there. I see hints of it, and that's what makes me sad. I don't want to discipline this perfect creature. But alas, the day is coming, and has already come...discipleship at work.
On the subject of defiance, and wills....have you ever noticed that when you ask a three year old how old they are, they respond "free". Cutely holding three fingers. I think those two words get confused...three & free. Three year olds seem to think they are 'free' (from mom & dad's rule). Just an observation I had this morning when T told me she was 'free' so she didn't have to do whatever it was I told her to do.
Well, here's some pics of the family as of late.