My Birthday Boy

I love my son. It is amazing to think back over the past 4 years and how much our life has changed because of this one little guy. I remember being slightly shocked realizing we could be pregnant. Sure we'd been married over a year, but this wasn't my "plan." Well, I am SO THANKFUL it was God's plan. Since it's my little boy's 4th birthday (although little man might be more accurate), I wanted to blog about some of the top four character traits I love about Logan.

1. Loving. Logan has this really sweet presence about him. He genuinely loves other people, and I can honestly say I can't recall a time he has ever spoken poorly or meanly about anyone (besides the occasional tattling on his little sister, but even then it's not "mean," just annoyed). We had a run-in with a bully last year, and he couldn't understand why anyone would want to be mean. It just did not make any sense to Logan why or how someone could be cruel.

2. Joyful. I love watching Logan's face light up when he sees his friends, or finds out we're having pizza (his favorite...along with tortillas, grapes, grilled cheese, cookies...), or hears we're going to have family time. Overall he is a very joyful boy, and it seems to be contagious to the other people he is around.

3. Empathetic. I often catch Logan studying my face or the faces of people in books or on shows. If he doesn't understand what someone is thinking or feeling he will say, "Mom, what does that face mean?" Times when I've been sad, his face will drop and he'll ask why I'm sad. He is a very perceptive little boy and I think this is a gift he has.

4. Forgiving. There have been many times over the past 4 years that I have lost my patience and not responded to my little boy in a loving and godly way. There have also, not surprisingly, been many occasions I have had to apologize to him and confess my harshness or frustration. Before I can even get to the "will you forgive me" part of my apology my son looks at me, smiles and says, "It's okay mom, I forgive you! And don't worry, Jesus forgives you too...that's why he died for you...for when you do bad things." Then, as though I have never been impatient or harsh, he smiles, hugs me and it's like he has totally forgotten about all my faults.  I have a lot to learn from my son in this area!