Nine!

Isaiah turned 9....

 How did that happen?  I don't feel like he should be that old.  Wasn't it just yesterday that he was toddling around and falling asleep with his head on my shoulder.  Things are changing.  He doesn't snuggle in quite like he used to.  He doesn't need me for every little thing.  He can get his own breakfast and sometimes his sister's too.  He stays up reading at night with his little bunk light.  He understands things he didn't used to understand.  He's best friends with his brother, and helpful and patient with his little sister.  I can't make time stand still, but I can enjoy and appreciate all the new things that come with each new season of life and all the things that never change but make Isaiah who he is.... his huge smile... his contagious joy... his soft heart... his zest for life... his love of being with his favorite people, his patience and forgiving nature, his creativity and very active imagination.  I feel so blessed to have Isaiah as my son.  He brings life and laughter to our house.

Isaiah wanted a bike for his birthday.  Kyle of course, had no objections to bike shopping for his first born.  And he had a few ideas in mind; 7 speed so the gears are only on one hand, 24 inch wheels, something that will last through two boys.  We looked a couple places and Isaiah and Kyle found one they loved but we told Isaiah we would have to see.  Kyle bought him a new bike helmet that Luke and Lizzy wrapped up and secretly paid for the bike as well.  He picked it up the next day and hid it in his trunk.  Isaiah was a little bummed on the morning of his birthday not to see a bike (we usually give him his present at breakfast) That evening when Nana and Papa came we kept Isaiah busy while Kyle snuck the bike onto the porch, and then while we all loaded into the car in the garage he got it set up in the living room.  After birthday dinner at Red Robin Isaiah got his surprise...

First glimpse

Pretty excited...

He wasted no time in trying out his new bike and has pretty much been on it every free moment since.

We took a fun family bike ride on Saturday on the Chehalis Western Trail. It was my Mother's Day request.  It was a beautiful day and beautiful scenery and as we peddled along I realized again that my kids are getting older.  Everyone was riding a bike (well, Lizzy on the trailer bike behind me)  No one wears diapers any more.  Everyone can communicate, and put on their own shoes and buckle their own seat belts.  I love my babies and toddlers but new adventures await us and that's exciting too!

As I was writing this post I remembered a picture I took almost 9 years ago when we lived in Parkland. It's my little Isaiah man and his daddy on a bike....

Two of my most favorite guys... and that won't ever change.

                         

Happy Birthday Isaiah!!!  We love you to pieces!!!