"Two Two to Thomas!"

Stephen celebrated his 2 year old birthday last week (Sept 25) with Thomas the Train.  Grandpa has introduced Thomas into Stephen's life and it has been a pleasant ride for all of us.  I do appreciate the values taught by the team of trains and Sir Topham Hat.  I find them very useful. : )  

Ray and I got Stephen his first 'bike'.  He loves his little red tricycle.  When we were in the toy section of the store, he'd say:  "bike, bike."  And, I'd tell him we were just looking.  Then, on his birthday, out came the bike and he was all smiles.  Pure joy!  I love to see children super happy like that.  We all need to be more childlike.  You can see in the pictures that Beth and I are doing our best to become like a little child.  She was helping Stephen get inside the portable Thomas the train tent and she got smashed up against a window.  We were laughing so hard that I almost wet my pants.  Good thing I wasn't pregnant or there would have been no hope of preventing an accident. : )  Stephen also smashed his face on the window.  I just decided to test my strength and pick up the entire train while holding McKinley at the same time.  Watch out Wonder Woman, here I come.  

It's fun watching Stephen grow up and discover something new every day.  He lights up my life.  I love his sparkling smile.  Today, as I was putting him down for a nap (after reading four stories to him), he looked up at me from his crib and said:  "hold you."  With tears in his eyes, I couldn't resist his loving plea.  He wanted to be held.  He usually goes down for a nap fine, no tears, just a smile and he blows me a kiss.  Today was different.  But, I think it was for me.  I needed to be held.  So, when he said "hold you"  (meaning "hold me")....I thought, wow...Heavenly Father is so aware of us at every moment.  I have been running a little faster than I have strength lately since Ray is not able to help w/ much since he's still recovering from back surgery.   I was exhausted and just needed to be still, so holding Stephen just a little longer in the rocker brought me peace as I sang:  "I am a Child of God" to him, tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked into his eyes and knew that He was leading me and guiding me today.  Take time to 'behold your little ones.'  I can see why Jesus wept.

Happy Birthday Stephen, Mommy loves you forever and always.