June 16th at 2:35 AM

I don’t particularly like days like these. January 8^th, February 17^th, and June 16^th….. are the days I’m reminded of how fast time flies by and how I wish it wouldn’t…. oh how I wish time would stop.

Today Jefferson turns 7!!!

7 whopping years ago I had my first little munchkin. His delivery was the most traumatic and hardest to recover from, he was colicky, and my most difficult baby. He woke me up every 2 hours for 7 MONTHS!! Enough said. And yet, I wish I could go back. He was my treasure. I can't believe it's been 7 years already.

I wish I had a baby picture of him to show, but those are in my closet, 650 miles away. Just picture the cutest baby you've ever seen.

But here's the birthday boy today, at 2,555 days old...

Some things about Jefferson right now:

He’s entering 2^nd grade next year

His favorite color is pink and purple

He has already fallen in love. I won’t name names, but he adores her. He wants to marry her and is heartbroken that we moved. He woke me up at 4am one morning really upset. He said, “mommy, how am I going to marry ______ if we move?” He told his teacher his ‘secret’ and she told him, “don’t give up hope, Jefferson, my grandma and grandpa met in 1^st grade and were married for 60 years.” He’s holding on to her words…. Cute.

He bites his nails... even with mavala stop on 'em

He just self-taught himself to tie his shoes

HE LOVES MAGIC TRICKS!

He loves movies too!

He still sleeps with his baby blanket

He likes nature, bugs, snakes, frogs, and any sort of creepy-crawler.

 He insists on rolling up his pants about 6 inches from his ankles like this...

It looks ridiculous but he says he’s scared of tripping on his pants.

When he grows up he would like to be a wizard or a scientist

He likes dancing, singing, and acting (well, the watching part of acting)

 He's missing both of his front teeth.

This is a picture of Jefferson with his great-great uncle Ben. I cherish this picture, not only because of the tender moment I captured of this relationship, but because I think Jefferson's face epitomises his personality. I can't help but smile when I see him. He has a joyful temperament that is contagious.

Dear Jefferson,

You are my sweetheart. I’m sorry if I’m too hard on you. It must be tough being the oldest;  always being expected to be an example…. That must be exhausting at times. “you know better”, and “because you're older”, are a couple phrases I use too much. I promise to try not saying those things. But, you are my guinea pig. I’ve never done this parenting thing before. You were my first baby, first toddler, first school child… and you’ll be my first pre-teen, teenager, missionary, and so on. I’m learning how to parent through raising you. Sometimes I think I’ve done things right, other times I know I’ve made mistakes. But please know I love you.

As I have watched you grow, I have seen your kind heart and care of others grow. You have genuine care for everyone in our family, and those you meet. You are my example. Thank you for your desire to put together care-packages for the homeless or needy people we pass on the streets. For lending your umbrella to a classmate who forgot hers on “reading under an umbrella day” at school, and you went without. Thank you for remembering those sick babies and other people in your personal prayers at night. For giving away something you cherished to your brother just because he liked it. Thank you for helping Reagan put on her shoes, or gloves, or hat, and reminding me when she needed a nose wipe or a snack. For saying, “can we talk about something nice now?” when conversations get off track. Thank you for being you. You are my dearest little boy. You keep me company and can talk my ear off, but I love having you near. You have a curiosity about life that I admire. I could squeeze your cheeks as much today as I did when you were a toddler. You’re adorable and I’m popping at the seams with love for YOU!

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY!