Get ME something special....its YOUR birthday?!
Moments later Finn arrives at my bedside. His long body trying to crawl in and snuggle under the covers and cuddle me like he did when he was a foot shorter.
"I brought you 4 quarters from my piggy bank, mom & dad (4 quarters each, that is). I brought them for you as a prize. Because you both work so much and so hard....you deserve a special prize. I love you."
I automatically respond with a "thank you" as I'm still trying to take in what just happened. My little guy wakes up on his birthday with a heart to gift me?! From his own piggy bank!?
This is how life has been with Finn since day one. I remember rocking him to sleep as a baby and I could feel his depth & innocence & love beaming from him. Wondering why God would put him in my arms? Me? He is so special...won't I mess him up?! I have definitely learned more from Finn than he has from me. He is a gift....we cherish him. Always grounding our family. Always reminding us to love. The responsible one. The thinker. With a heart overflowing with compassion.
Today we celebrated his 7th birthday. I have no idea where the time went. SEVEN.
Flashes of memories fly through my head. He looks so grown up now. So mature. Such a boy, on the cusp of adolescence. Wishing I could just freeze time for a bit....as it all goes too fast.
So we had them over for breakfast since they were hosting dinner. They brought Finn a gift. Miles was so excited when he saw the present....Finn let him help open the present. And although I was distracted by conversation, I could hear them talking about it and unwrapping everything....so sweet.
Of course there were some moments of 'brotherly love' in sharing the new toy. But then moments later, when I gave Finn the gift from Shane & I, he took off with it to open upstairs....so Miles could help. "Because he really likes to open them mom."
Again, I'm reminded of how special this boy is....and that I have nothing to do with it. Its just Finn. Wanting to make someone else feel good. Always giving...
I flash back...suddenly remember the time when Miles was playing a racing arcade game...too small to reach the pedals and perfectly fine watching the demo. Finn came over and put his OWN money in, crawled under the seat, pushed the pedal down the whole time....just so Miles could really race.
When we had Finn, we named him David Finn...we liked the sound of that better than Finn David. And as I looked up the meaning of his name...."Beloved fair child." I thought, if he gets my coloring, it'll be perfect. But if he looks like Shane, we may want to rethink. ; )
He has grown into every bit of that meaning. I remember the pastor telling me at his dedication (as he looked at his name) that he had a powerful name....special. Finn is that, in every sense.
So I wanted to take a moment today and remember some of these sweet things. To share a bit of what Finn is like right now...what he's into. Here we go....
Finn LOVES his new 'gear' bike he got this summer. You would've thought Shane told him he stepped into manhood when he gave it to him.
He loves his scooter too. Especially riding it through the mud. ; )
He loves our dog. He snuggles her, feeds her, walks her, takes care of her....I love watching him with her. They're the best of buds.
Finn is always looking to help others. I have to stop myself from being so 'busy' sometimes and really LISTEN to him. He talks so much that I find myself saying 'uh-huh' all the time. But when I really listen....I am humbled by his thinking. There is so much going on in that cute head of his. All. the. time.
He has a memory like no other. It only takes one time of explaining something to Finn (like Shane showing him how to put the chain back on his bike when it pops off) and he's got it.
He comes off very shy in new circumstances, but if you let him warm up to you on his own terms, he'll be worth the wait. He has amazing intuition on people and is slow to warm up, but once you know him....he has a way of capturing your heart.
He's so innocent and honest. I can always rely on him to know whats going on. He tells on himself all the time...which I've had to learn how to handle carefully such that I don't ruin his transparency!
He's a gentleman. He holds doors for me (and others)...most of the time. ; ) He helps me carry things. Offers to pitch in. He likes to feel accomplished and useful.
We love our Finn. We are so thankful for him. Today was the perfect day to celebrate him....
**I'm thankful for these pics my friend took of us. We had family photos done earlier in the year...this was an evening I went to just play with the boys. I treasure these images! : )**
Praying for him tonight as he starts another year of life....and all the adventures it will entail. I'm honored to be a part of them.