Happy Birthday Jude!

This weekend was Jude’s birthday. He is 2 years old. On his wall hangs a sign that says, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine”. He loves for me to sing that little song to him. Since we just adopted Naomi, I have been thinking about how thankful I am to our children’s birthmothers for choosing life. I have also been thinking about the past two years with Jude and how full he has made our lives after waiting for what seemed like so long for him. I believe that the whole time Jude was growing inside his birthmother, God was covering him and filling him with light and life and joy. He is just so full of those things, even now, that it’s as if he’s going to burst. He came into our lives, our family’s own little personal “sunshine” and lit up all the places we didn’t even know were clothed in shadow.

Jude has seemed like he’s 2 for a while now. Maybe it’s because he’s so big or maybe it’s because he can talk so much. People always talk about the “terrible two’s.” I’ve always disliked that. To me, words are important, and I don’t want to speak that over my kids, even jokingly. Yes, 2 year olds can be challenging. It’s a time of huge transitions, and 2-year-olds are definitely prone to testing all the boundaries. But they’re also so much fun. I think Jude is “becoming” many of the wonderful things that God made him to be, and I declare that this year will be the “triumphant two’s” for our family! He is learning so much and all the training and discipline is starting to show. He still tests the boundaries at an almost hourly pace, but I am seeing more self-control and understanding develop in him. He is already walking in victory in so many ways and I am so proud of him.

On this 2nd birthday, here’s what I love about my little sunshine, Jude:

He really knows how to feel things and how to get the most out of life. He teaches me a lot about enjoying life and being happy just for the sake of being happy.

I love his independent streak (sometimes), but also that he needs to regroup periodically by getting a hug or sitting in my lap. I would like it if he would cuddle just a little more, but I’ll take what I can get from the little busy-body.

I love that he is so funny, already has good comedic timing, and that he makes us laugh all the time.

I love that he is so uninhibited especially in his singing and dancing. He really feels the music and enjoys it with his whole body and it doesn’t matter to him if people are watching. I hope he’s always that way.

I love that he’s so masculine and that he gives new meaning to the word “all-boy.”

I love that he loves people so much and that he enjoys his brother, friends, and family so much.

Happy Birthday Sunshine. We love you!