A Franks Fairytale: March 2014

No matter what time of the day, if he had his choice, SJ would eat a pink donut with sprinkles…for every meal! When we walk in a donut shop his little face light up, his WHOLE face turns into a smile and his eyes follow that pink donut with sprinkles until it lands on his plate and then he giggles and giggles with excitement! I love his joy! I love the little things that make him so giggly! He gets excited about almost everything (unless of course we are throwing a toddler tantrum because I did something terrible like tear his cheese in half). Before bed we read books and rock until SJ is ready to get in his crib. When he is ready to get in his crib, every night he says "Wove you momma, I go nigh night." Sweet angel! Each night I pray over him as we rock. I pray that this world would never still his joy. That he will always be giggly and excited for the pink donut! I know it won't always be that easy. I know life will be hard, his heart will break, he will break mine, he will learn, he will grow, he will face life and I PRAY he will choose Christ to walk with him. I know I can't protect him from some of the ugliness of this world, but I can sure do my best to train him how to walk through it with courage! I pray that no one will ever ever steal that pink donut from him. That he will always be excited for the small things, that he won't care if every other boy in middle school is too cool for sprinkles and pink icing, but that he will be strong and confident and eat that pink donut like a man :)

This season is full of emotions for us! I got accepted into grad school for Speech Language Pathology and start full time this summer. Clay is almost half way through the Graduate School of Banking, and SJ is on his way to the 5th grade!! The child talks a million miles an hour and he never sits still…ever. He loves flashcards, he loves organizing his toys by color, he loves telling mommy and daddy what to do :) and he loves being independent! Everything is "I do it myself." So it takes us double the time to eat, take a bath, take a walk, basically get anywhere…because SJ wants to walk his little legs the whole time! Occasionally we have to speed up, but we are doing our very best to enjoy this season and let him learn how to do things on his own. It's taking lots of patience to raise a strong willed toddler…but the outcome will be well worth it!

Going back to school full time has been a roller coaster of emotions. Some days I'm so excited for the journey, some days the thought of leaving SJ all day makes me want to throw in the towel and be home full time. This world has lots of opinions on what a momma's role should be, and sometimes I let Satan's lies get the best of me. Clay and I have prayed about this decision for a long time, we are being faithful and the Lord continues to open doors to make it work. I can't for a second think it is by chance that I was accepted into the program, or by chance that every time I need a sitter the perfect little girl is standing at my door ready to watch my baby. I am trusting…even on the hard days…I am trusting! The plus side is that during the summer I don't have class on Fridays, so you better believe SJ and I will be having a date at the donut shop every Friday morning!

Happy 25 months of life little Sawyer James! SJ, I pray that you will forever find joy in your pink donut and when you see others that need a boost, you will share that donut with them and fill their hearts with joy!!! I hope you always enjoy the sweet little things in life!!! Love you forever! -Mommy