Happy Birthday Solomon

12 years ago, we became parents to a boy that would forever change this families lives. I know every child that enters our world changes it, but this young man we had no idea what was in store for us. You see, we were parents twice over already, but to two little girls. A boy was all new territory for us.

A son, my prince, entered the scene, and the world became brighter, fuller, more alive, and certainly more lively. We needed the joy that Solomon brought because he was born right after 9/11 and also during a particularly difficult time for my family of origin.  Solomon brought immense joy.  He was a surprise right from the start, and he hasn't stopped surprising us since.

It has been said many times of him, that he's an old soul. When trying to explain that to him I said, "It just means you know a lot more than most kids do at your age, and you are very aware of the precious gift of life." Because of this, I truly believe his soul is kind. I mean, he is still your average 12 year old boy who likes to tease and sometimes border on obnoxious, but on a deeper level there is so much going on inside that boys noggin.

Solomon has always found the stranger, foreigner, outcast in the bunch. He loves to make them feel welcome and at home and I often wonder sometimes if it's because he himself doesn't feel at home here. 

He is your typical little brother to his two big sisters, but to see their friendship develop... well these are the true blessings in life. I know in my heart when they all go their separate ways someday, they WILL remain each others best friends. 

And being that he is a middle child 

He is a really good Big Brother as well, although if you ask Zay this question on an off day he might have a different answer. I tell Sol all the time that I'm thankful for the example that he sets for Isaiah. 

When Solomon was only like 3 years old we were shopping for furniture and the sales lady asked him which Super Hero he liked best, because he was wearing a t-shirt with Spiderman, Superman etc. She said, "Are you Spiderman, Superman....?" To which he looked at her and replied without skipping a beat, "No I'm S O L O M AN !!" We all laughed so hard and knew at that moment he would probably always walk a few steps ahead of us. 

On top of being an Old Soul, He is really a funny kid. 

He takes the role of being funny very seriously, can you tell? He likes to make people happy whenever they are sad. The only thing he didn't like as an infant was when his sisters would cry. I kid you not, he would cry right along with them. Oh, and he also didn't like when they left the room. He really doesn't mind being alone now, but back then he wanted people all the time.

He is beyond creative and inventive and truly since he was a little boy has been an artist like his dad. The minute he learned how to write he has been making little creative stories, and drawing pictures. He is forever in pursuit of the next greatest invention and I LOVE that about him. 

The way his mind works... well it never ceases to amaze me.

His eyes.... Oh his eyes! They see things in this world so very differently than most. And much like his name sake, he is wise beyond his years. But more than anything I guess, the thing I am most blessed by about this boy his own pursuit to know Christ. He has questions all the time about God and he isn't afraid to speak up about his beliefs at school. When I stop to listen, to see what it is he sees, I'm reminded of what a gift HE IS.

Today begins the last year he is a child. After 12 comes the teen years and my heart aches just a smidge every time I even think about that, so for now I'm going to enjoy that he likes waking the whole family early Saturday morning with his saxophone.

I'm going to enjoy picking up his nerf gun toys, and legos, baseball gear, and video game controllers.

I'm going to remember that when I have to remind him for the ba-zillioneth time to prioritize hygiene it means that he doesn't have another girl in his life that motivates him to do so, and that's a GOOD thing!!

(Although, I'm not sure his sisters would agree)

Sigh.... 

Yep, TODAY is a GOOD DAY. 

Happy Birthday and 10/4 Good Buddy!!