sunday.

In a little over twenty-four hours, I will drive to pick David up from the Philadelphia airport.  I can’t believe we’ve almost made it!

The past twelve days didn’t exactly go the way I expected . . . on day four I got sick, and one of the three of us has been sick ever since.  But, that’s life.  And I feel well rested, thanks to lots of help from Steve and Linda.  Now I’m ready to welcome my husband back and help him to rest.

This week Judah and Amie became friends with two little boys who live next door to the Gentino’s.  They are the first friends Judah has made I think on his own, apart from a play date or family members.  One evening he saw the boys out in their yard and said, “Mommy, I want to go play with them.”  They are a little older, so I wasn’t sure Judah would be welcome and discouraged him from it (I know, who knows what I was thinking?), but he said firmly, “Mommy, I need some more friends and I want to meet those boys.”  So he worked up the courage and walked over to say hello.  Ams of course bounded alongside him.

My favorite moment was when Judah and Amie stood on the line between yards and belted out, “Hellooooo…..!!!!” when the boys were standing maybe twenty feet away.

Since then the four congregate whenever they see each other outside.  I love sitting on the sunny back patio with my book, sneaking glances at the neighbors’ yard, wondering what the kids are discussing so animatedly, watched them figure out which game to play next, watching the neighbor boys try (very unsuccessfully) to interest Judah in football or baseball.

I feel like Judah turned five years old and overnight became a real little boy–not a toddler, only a preschooler for one more year.  Suddenly he wants to wear socks and sneakers instead of his Toy Story crocs.  He plays legos and reads maps and has sounded out a word or two while I read aloud to him.  He is unashamedly loyal to Mommy but would prefer to be with his dad most of the time.

We walked down Main Street the other day and a gruff man snapped at Judah, “Boy, why aren’t you in school!?”  I almost spoke up and said, “He’s only in 4K,” or some such defensive comment, but Judah said, “I’m doing homeschooling,” and walked unconcernedly on.

He’s his own person, and is quite content with the person he is.

My heart swells with love for him, and is eager to get to know this growing-up boy even more, what makes him happy and sad, what makes him tick.  He’s such a gift.