Two Years Old

Dean turned two on Monday. However, as you can see it was not his finest day. He ran a low grade fever all day - doctor said it was a throat virus, thankfully we had the 2 year check-up already scheduled.

I've been thinking lots lately about Dean being the middle child around here. And I have come to the conclusion that he handles it beautifully.

He goes with the flow around here often times following Anna Grace's lead without hesitation (verdict is still out if that is a good thing or not). And one of my favorite things about Dean is that he soaks in each moment to its fullest, often not saying a word about it; but then when he gets Neal or me by himself he tells us all about it not sparing a detail. I absolutely love that about him. For example, when we were at the lake a few weeks ago he went on his first boat ride of the season. The whole time he just stared, not smiling, hardly blinking, barely moving. I thought he enjoyed it but was not sure because he gave me absolutely nothing while on the boat or afterward. Then when I put him down for his nap that day I asked him if he wanted to pray. He said yes and then he told God all about it. It was such a sweet prayer. I love to hear him pray. It always starts, "Dear God..." then it goes from there whatever is on his mind, usually in broken sentences with some words undecipherable. It might be something from a few weeks back, earlier that day; it might be something fun or recalling a rebuke from earlier in the day. I often find myself thinking of how Christ intercedes on our behalf to God as we pray (Romans 8:26) and wonder what exactly is Dean thinking/saying and what is Christ saying on Dean's behalf. Edmond McDavid says, "In prayer, what we say is more important than how we say it. A poorly expressed prayer from the heart is more important to God than a well-expressed one that is not." (Let God Speak, page 266) God is currently using a two year old to convict and challenge my prayer life.

Another one of my favorite things about the little man is that he is so content. While he gets fired up about things usually whatever he is doing at that moment is good to him even if the next thing might be better. He truly lives in the moment instead of wishing for what is to come. It is a great lesson for me to be continually reminded.

It is music to my ears listening to him call Anna Grace "Grace" (he can say Anna Grace just fine but for whatever reason he usually calls her Grace and she has come to accept and expect it). Neal loves that he calls me Mama and always has instead of Mommy. And we both get a laugh when he starts watching Caleb and can't help but chuckle at him even though Caleb is just laying there.

Dean since before you were born we have prayed and continue to pray I Kings 2:2-3, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your god, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." I also pray that you will be a man worthy to sojourn in the Lord's tent (Psalm 15) and that you will be a strong planting of the Lord considered an oak of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). Happy 2nd Birthday, Buddy; I love you!