My Guy

My buddy is turning five tomorrow! I can hardly stand it! He is getting too big too fast! I frequently ask him something that my dad always used to ask me when I was a little girl. "Will you always be mine, even when you are all grown up?" He always says yes. Today, he told me that he would always be my guy and that he and his wife would come and live at my house. Lucky her. :)

Tonight, I am sitting here in the kitchen, reflecting on the gift of a son, and thinking about what kind of birthday cake to make for my little man tomorrow. He wants chocolate. :)

A few things about Major on his fifth birthday...

He is a superhero by day and night. He loves Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and all things superhero. He doesn't really know anything about these characters, other than what they look like. He is a typical boy, racing around the house to save the day. (In costume, of course) :)

He doesn't like "girly stuff". He thinks things like Barbies, dolls, and other such things are "disgusting." Of course, he will tolerate playing these games with his sister on a very rare occasion.

I can see the potential for leadership in him. His Bible class teachers have mentioned to me that he is a leader in his class. This makes me so excited, as this is something for which I have prayed. I hope that because he is strong willed, that he will be able to stand up and do what is right and he will use his influence to help others do the same.

Major loves to be the one in charge. Most recently, his career aspirations included being a police officer and a cowboy "because they get to be in charge."

Major has an unusual degree of spiritual understanding for his age. He says things that surprise me and make me think. Sometimes I don't know the answers to his questions. He has a childlike faith that I wish I had. He seems genuninely interested in hearing Bible stories and always says, "More! More!" whenever his Daddy finishes reading to him. His prayers are so heartfelt and so precious. He has a way with words and talks to God as if He was a good friend and as if there was nobody else in the room.

Major is a creative storyteller. He loves for me to make up silly stories and tell them to him. When I ask him to recount something that happened during his day, he always provides me with details that make me feel as if I had been there too. Every mother likes to feel that their child is somehow special or gifted, I know. :) I can only imagine how he will use these talents. I can think of so many ways...

He is a silly jokester. He was born on April Fools' Day, so it is very fitting that he would be a jokey guy. Recently, his jokes have been a little bit lame. We laugh anyway. :)

Major continues to be obsessed with Cars. He plays with his cars and car-like toys almost more often than is humanly possible. His cars are like dolls to him. He talks to them and teaches them. They each have a special place in his room and an ongoing story. I constantly have to be on the lookout for stray cars underfoot.

Major hears music in everything. He is always imitating outdoor sounds and comparing them to songs.

When he isn't playing Cars, Major is usually playing a game of basketball. He has a little basketball goal in his room. Each day, a familiar thumping sound can be heard coming from his room upstairs. He also rides his bicycle like a madman. The back tire is totally worn down from the skidmarks that he likes to make on the driveway.

Major is very conscious of his appearance. He is very impressed with things that make him look like his Daddy like his Easter tie or his new belt. He'll often come into my bathroom and say, "How do I look, Mom?" He also freely shares his opinion when things don't appear quite right saying things like, "You look better with makeup, Mom." or "How come you still look fat?" after the birth of a baby. :/ He is able to make up for this by saying things like, "You sure look beautiful in that dress." or "I really like those shoes, Mom. Those look good." Recently, we had a guest in our home who was an attractive woman in her twenties. Major was lovestruck. This woman laughed at Major's lame jokes and gave him lots of attention. When she left, Major said, "I like Lily. She is beautiful and I especially like her shoes." He certainly does notice the little things.

He is a bit whiny right now. We have been trying hard to get him to stop complaining when he is asked to do something that he doesn't like to do. He is also a crybaby lately. We are really working to try to get him out of that little habit. He has also had a hard time getting along with Mary Alice in the past few weeks. When she doesn't give in to his whims he often throws a fit or cries about it. He is learning that those fits don't get him any sympathy from us, but usually only result in adding extra stress to his day. :) Hopefully, next year, on his sixth birthday, I can say this fussy business has ceased altogether. For now, though, controlling himself continues to be a constant struggle.

Josh and I love our sweet Major Gray. The last five years have been such a blessing. I can't imagine life without our special boy. He is getting older and wiser with each passing day. It is with mixed emotion that I celebrate his fifth birthday. I know that each birthday brings him one year closer to being independent and all grown up. This is, of course, what any parent hopes for, but for now, I am able to just enjoy the Maje being my guy.