My youngest son turned 9

I have 2 amazing boys. I would love to call them little or my babies and while they will forever be those things in my mind, I can’t acknowledge it out loud. My youngest son has just turned another year older and I’m reflecting on all of the wonderfully hilarious conversations I’ve had with him or over heard him have with others. I hope you enjoy this birthday tribute to my youngest baby Josiah Kylon. When he was born six weeks early all I could hope was that everything developed properly and that he was healthy. My prayer was answered and if I’m honest God added just a couple more shakes of candid over him than I would care to accept. For starters, as a toddler he just looked like an old man, a little angry old man.  Before we would go to church he was the most playful talkative baby but as soon as the doors to the church opened his poker face would turn on. Poker face was the name given to him by another church member. People would come up to me and ask if he could speak because they hadn’t heard him utter a word. Others would come up to me with excitement to tell me how he finally smiled at them. They seemed so proud and accomplished in that moment. However, I never knew how to take that information. As my amazing son grew and we hit the stage of his word explosion I really had to be on guard. We once went to an Old Navy store and the employee there asked if she could help us with anything, I thanked her for asking but said no thanks. Josiah however, says, “You can help me!” I then became interested in what he needed help with so I let him continue. The lady asked him politely what she could help him with and he follows it with, “Why are you so fat?” I am at a loss for words. The lady is obviously pissed (to say the least) but she starts to answer the question of a 3 year old. I proceed to put everything in my hands on a shelf and say, “We don’t need any of this. We are just going to go!” I grab my children, look at Josiah, and then not walk but run out of that store like I stole something. Well, I guess we did steal something; that lady’s dignity. One of my most recent favorites happened during the Christmas holiday. We were visiting my brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephew. It was time for us to make the 6 hour journey back to our home but Josiah wasn’t ready to leave. He had already begged me for one more day (which I gave him) and it was now time to go. He and my sister-in-law come up with a plan. She is going to enroll him in online school and my niece will tutor him if he needs help. I laugh and say Josiah we have to go. I have to get on the road. I have your coat ready come and put it on. He response with, “Nan can buy me a new one. You keep it to remember me by.” At this point I give them both a blank stare and sit down to gather myself. What child thinks like that? There are so many stories I could share about my amazingly talented 9-year-old but I must stop somewhere. If you are a mom (or mom figure) remember to squeeze your babies tight. There are fewer years than you think to absorb them and their dreams. May God grant us all the ability to focus in on who they are meant to be so we can prepare them for His amazing glory. Happy birthday Josiah (fire of the Lord) Kylon (narrow, church), may the fire of the Lord fill you all the days of your life. Keep dreaming and using your imagination in the amazing ways you do and God will continue to make room for your gifts. -Mommy

With Love, 

Juls