what a glorious day!!!

Today was a very ordinary, stay-at-home, nothing-special kinda Friday for me and Jasper. And it was such a glorious day. Absolutely, positively the best day we've had in weeks... months... maybe ever.

Several times today, I thought to myself that this is by far some of the most precious time i've ever had in life.

Granted, Jasper had a few moments of rebellion, which resulted in immediate and loving discipline. But that's normal. He's a sinner in need of a Savior. Nothing new there.

Anyway, as I was saying, aside from a few disciplinary issues, it was such a precious, precious day. Jasper has entered a new and fantastic stage of life.

He has realized that he can run.

He can also say the word, "running." (he doesn't know "run" or "ran", just "running". So it's always referred to  in our house as "running").

So starting yesterday (this is a very new phase), he lives and breaths to run, and he yells "running" at the top of his lungs while doing so. He throws both arms straight back, puts his head and shoulders down, and yells "RUNNING!!! BABER RUNNING!!" :o) It's the cutest thing you've ever seen.

Guess what we did all day today? Yup, we were "running". We ran at home inside, at home outside, on a 1 mile walk around the neighborhood, up the alley, down the alley, at the park, back at home, took a 4 hour nap, then Andrew and Jasper did running in the ditch outside Chipotle (our evening meal), then more running at home with Timbits in hand. Jasper was in heaven. I was, too. It was such a treat.

I realized tonight that we never, ever, ever have the tv on when Jasper's awake. Jasper occasionally watches a few minutes of "garbage waste trucks" on youtube if I'm wearing thin on patience and need a break, but other than that, we never watch tv with little Jas. And i'm so thankful. The day will come, I'm sure. But for now, I'm so content with just playing outside with our son, running, flipping, climbing, and kissing. :o)

about to embark on our morning running

Later this evening, after we got home from Chipotle, Andrew grabbed the camera and took a mini-photo shoot of me and Jasper running. If you look closely, you can see Jasper holding on for dear life to half a chocolate Timbit in most of these pics. (here, he's showing you his Timbit)

 Occasionally, he would see a small rock on the driveway and think it was a Timbit crumb and pop it in his mouth...

Anyway, here's a taste of a typical evening in the Meade home. :o) Enjoy!

running up the driveway

running down the driveway

running up the alley

running down the alley

We sat down to take a break from all the fun running and Jasper realized he could do flips over my shoulder. It was a very relaxing "break"! lol! :o)

After much flipping, we decided to switch to climbing. Jasper loves to hold my hands and see how high he can climb on me before we both fall over. It's very... muscle-building.

 And of course, sweet Jasper gave lots of kisses throughout the day. I think it's kinda gross, but he likes to plant big wet ones right on the lips. Let's hope that's a "family-only" type of kissing habit.

It was so, so precious. But seriously... I need a redbull.