My Mak…6

Yes, SIX. As in, years OLD. As in, he has to use two hands to show how old he is. My baby boy is growing up so fast. And it’s the most bittersweet thing in the world to me. I kind of divide my life into two parts…before I became a mom and after. The day this baby boy was born completely changed my life. I was smacked upside the head with an in your face, knock you down, it takes your breath away kind of love. It’s a love that every mother knows and can FEEL with every part of her. I LOVE that. I love that you other mothers know exactly what this love that I’m referring to feels like. It’s such a universal thing.

But isn’t it a very strange thing? Being a Mom? You want time to stand still, or even rewind so you can have that sweet newborn hand curl around your finger one more time…hear that first belly laugh again…see him take his first steps…watch him as he lets go of your hand on the first day of school. But you also love seeing the person he is becoming. This boy will one day grow up to be some very lucky girl’s husband. Somebody’s Daddy. I can’t wait to see this life play out. And I am in AWE that God chose ME to be his Momma. I am SO not worthy of this job. Collin and I are raising a future MAN. I pray every single day that we will do an adequate job. It’s an AWESOME responsibility. And no words could ever describe how thankful I am that the Lord chose me to be this precious boy’s Momma.

Does six seem really old to you? Because it does to me. Five is still a young child. Not a toddler, really, but not a big kid either. Six is a big kid. Every time I look at him I’m reminded that he’s growing up. He’s changing in a bunch of little ways, but you put them all together and it becomes one Gigantic transformation.

He’s into big kid stuff. Like skateboards, obviously. And video games. And the computer. And READING. I have a kid big enough to READ?!? It blows my mind. He eats salad now. And does addition and subtraction in his head. That’s big kid stuff.

He is STUBBORN!!! Really, Really Stubborn! And I bet you didn’t know it, but Makgill knows everything. I saw a tee shirt in a catalog that said “Undisputed Champion of the World.” That describes him to a tee. We don’t have confidence issues…but we ARE working on humility with the little man. 😉

He’s Funny. Sometimes he has that kooky childhood humor going on…But sometimes?? He’s REALLY Funny. I’ve had a few conversations with him lately and I’ve thought “WOW. I could have this same conversation with a 30 year old Mak.” Not that I think he’s wise beyond his years {he is ;)}, but he’s just getting to that age. We are talking about “for real” things. Having “for real” conversations. I love it a lot and I hate it just a little bit.

I remember when he was just learning to talk. I had just quit my job. Things were VERY uncertain for us. The studio was growing…but was it enough to support our family? But there was NOTHING that I wanted more in the world than to be at home with this baby. Our highlight of the day was eating breakfast and waiting for the “doo-doo” to go by. What’s a “doo-doo”? Why, that’s a school bus to my Baby Mak! I have no idea why he called it that! But isn’t it the most ADORABLE thing you have ever heard? He would bang on his high chair tray shouting “Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo!!!” and all three of us would cheer like our favorite band had just come on stage when the school bus rolled past our window. I wouldn’t trade those days with him for ANYTHING in the world.

Now he’s out the door before I even have my second cup of coffee. People tell you how fast these days will pass but when you are in the midst of them you don’t really see it. I know I have lots of days ahead with My Makgill. But I also know that all too soon I will be sending him to Middle School…then High School…then {gulp} College. That scares me because I know that I have wasted so many days with him already. And I don’t want ANY day to be a waste.

This boy LOVES his people. He loves his Daddy and wants to be just like him. He loves me and is becoming pretty protective. He loves Clara Beth and they play together for hours. He’s SO the typical first child…very bossy and gets mad when things don’t go his way. For the most part they get along really well and are each others best friend, but they can also fight like CRAZY. The punishment for fighting like crazy is being separated and forced to play alone in their rooms. Neither of them want that, so when it’s threatened they pretty much immediately quit the arguing and make it work out. Mak loves his friends, too. He can sit at home with Collin, Clara Beth and me for only so long before he craves being around other people. He LOVES having all of the studio clients come in. He loves his people. And his people love him. 🙂

There are three million more things I could say about this boy. I love him so much and am SOO Blessed by his life. Daddy, Momma and CB love you, Baby Boy! Happy 6th Birthday!!!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from HIM. Psalm 127:3