don't blink

I've been told by SO many elderly ladies (mainly at church and at Meijer's) that: "your kids will grow up so fast, don't blink or you'll miss it." While occasionally I blink and blink and hope that I will miss a day, I normally cherish and cling tightly to my time with Jasper.

But it truly does go so, so fast. Today, I was hit square between the eyes that Jasper, my baby, is definitely a little boy now.

We were walking around the neighborhood this morning, Jasper in his Cozy Coupe, when all of a sudden, he stopped dead in his tracks, looked at a garage, then said,

"I like that garage."

I said, "What buddy?"

Jasper said, "I like that garage." and pointed to an indeed lovely garage with a variety of colors on the door and huge, beautiful butterflies glued all over it.

I said, "you like that garage?"

and Jasper very solemnly nodded and said, "yes." and then continued his Cozy Coupe walk.

I was so shocked. My little baby can not only identify beautiful things, but he can also articulate it! He's never said anything like that before.

When we got home from our walk, we went inside to get a drink and Jasper said,

"Daddy fixed our door!" (the lock was broken on it yesterday) and then he tugged on my arm until I was squatting down next to him and he said quite seriously,

"Mommy, Daddy works very hard for us."

Oh my gracious. Our little Jasper can actually talk. Not just a word here or there, but actual sentences that make sense and are relevant! I love it!! He's like a real little human!

(side note- never have I been more convicted about my speech in my life! I beg the Lord to set a guard over my mouth because it's become quickly evident that Jasper says what Andrew and I say. IE He's starting saying, "oh gracious!" a lot, a phrase I use constantly. It's actually really cute. and really scary.)

Jasper and I have had a few really rough weeks lately, due mainly to his 2 year molars coming in, but by God's grace, I think we're coming through the other side and today has been a sweet reminder to me that my time with Jasper is so short and so precious. I read a verse in my devo's the other day in Psalm 90 that says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom." That has become my fervent prayer as a parent and I'm thankful for the Lord's gentle reminder today that Jasper's growing, my time with him is short, and to cherish each moment.


And because blog posts are so much better with pictures included, here are a few from Father's Day.