I felt the need to post today. Josiah keeps growing up and leaning new things and I know that I need to be writing it down...this blog is my way of doing that. I am finding it ever so important to cherish all the little things that bring me such joy in life. Last blog, I wrote about the impact Dax Locke has made on my family...today that baby is dancing with Jesus. I can't explain the sorrow I have felt for that ailing little boy and for his beautiful, doting family. I would read his mommy's blogs and immediately put myself in her shoes. I internalized everything that she wrote and cried for that baby every day. I can't begin to explain why this happened or how a child could endure such pain. I am 100% follower of Jesus Christ and love him with my heart, yet I can't wrap myself around why this happens. I tell you what I do know... I know that He gave the world a tiny piece of heaven through Dax Locke. That little boy and his parents touched hearts around the world. He made people re-evaulate their lives. I am certainly one of those people. I often wondered why my family had to endure the pain of having a daughter/sister walk out on us or watching my dad endure the pain of being an outcast by his family simply because he didn't worship a church. It was heart-breaking to me and I would ask "why" constantly...enter... baby Dax. When I began to read Dax's story several months ago, I felt God. I began to realize that I had so many important things in my life. I didn't need to focus on my anger/bitterness that I felt every time I saw an old pic of my sister or in hearing her name mentioned. I kept thinking that I needed to cherish every moment with the ones that LOVE me. I also realized that I need to pray for the ability to forgive and move on to the great things in my life and focus on those things. By nature, I am a very loving person and want everyone to get along, but I also know that I am not always in control of that. I still pray that my sister's heart, along with my dad's family, will change and they will be open to this love that I speak of in my blog. I cry for them all the time and pray that their hard hearts will melt into something soft and pliable. Until then, I am going to cherish the moments with those that love me most. I am blessed to have an amazing hubs, son, mom and dad, in-laws, and some of the best friends in the whole world! (Amy, you are probably the only friend that reads this, so yes, I am talking about you -Muah!)

Anyway, this is what I decided to do today in my effort to "cherish every moment" as Dax's mommy would say. I decided to write down some of the things that Josiah does that make my heart melt...here we go:

The way he sleeps on all fours during nap time
The way he runs through our house screaming, "mama, mama!"
The way he runs his blankie through his hands until he finds a corner to hold
The way he breathes when he sleeps
The way he gets concerned when I cry
The way he squeezes my neck when he gives my a tight hug
The way he puckers up when I say, "give me a kiss"
The way he mimics my words
They way he folds his little hands when we pray
The way he claps for whomever said the prayer (he is a little charismatic)
The way he dances when music comes on
The way he pretend fights with daddy
The way he shares everything with me
The way he shares everything with others
The way he throws all of his bath time toys into the tub when I say "Bathtime"
The way he cuddles when we read together
The way he raises his chubby little hands when he has worship time with mommy
The way he sheds his socks five minutes after putting them on
The way he plays with his little cousin Elijah and his friend Addison
The way he asks for a cookie or vitamin
The way he moves his mouth to sing, but nothing comes out
The way he pats my back when he is crying and upset
The way his hands and feet get moving when he is excited to get in the car and go somewhere
The way he runs to me after nursery
The way he puts food into my mouth
The way he says "kitty" LOL
The way he loves his grandparents
The way he loves his aunts and uncles
The way he says "cool, dude"
The way he looks in jammies that are just a tad bit too small for him-ha!
The way he loves his daddy
They way he grins
The way he smiles
The way he loves me and his entire family


There are so many more "ways" that this child makes me cherish, but this blog would stretch to the heavens if I wrote them all! I encourage all of you to do this...not just for a child, but for whatever you hold dear in your life!!!! I love you all so much and thank you for reading this blog!!! Hopefully, I will write again soon!