five

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How did 5 years fly by so fast? Every parent I met seemed to warn me about this and I get it now. I get how the days are long and the years are short. I am still getting it. Our eldest turned 5 last week and it feels surreal! I don't know why 5 just feels up there in a category of older kid. Maybe it's the combination too of our middle son, Noah, turning 3 who also feels like he's lingering at the edge of the "olderness" camp with great eagerness/frustration to join his older brother.

It's this dynamic that just makes me feel like we are transitioning into a new stage with the whole fam. For me, the firstborn seems to set the tone for all the family, if that makes any sense. Seth's interests are starting to broaden and that just has a ripple effect exposing the younger ones as well to older things. Like Legos. I'm not talking Lego Duplo. I'm talking the real-deal-tiny-little-lego-man kind. (Much to their Lego-loving Daddy's delight I might add!)

This birthday also underlines the fact that we have been parenting for 5 years now! To be honest, I think I will always feel like a new Mom. There's been a lot of trial and error. And there's more to come I am sure, but I do think we are growing as parents along side our kids even in our shortcomings. Yes, we will still fall short, as we grow and when we grow. But modeling forgiveness-the extending it and the asking for it, I think has been key to showing the boys that we need Jesus just as much as they do. My prayer is that we get better at making the wrongs right, by God's grace, as we seek reconciliation with Him and with each other.

So back to the 5 year old, we are so proud of the little man he is becoming! His heart is getting larger by the day and so is his desire to understand how things work. The why's,the how's,the when's. His love for sea life is still strong. The octopus remains most loved creature. Bison hot dogs and "pollo con arroz" (chicken with rice) are current top favorites. He now wants to be an astronaut and a scuba diver when he grows up. Jesus is one of his best friends.

I couldn't have imagined a more prefect firstborn son for us to have! He launched us into parenthood and has been the most doting brother anyone could ever ask for.

Can't wait to see what God does in this little/not-so-little one and I am so honored that we get to be a part of that. Happy 5th Birthday Seth!

His birthday party was out of this world too! Thanks to all who came and made it special!