Something is happening....

Internet, in 12 days Thomas Trouble will be FIVE.

It's bittersweet for me. FIVE kind of seems like that magic number. While he's definitely NOT a toddler any more and really hasn't been for a while, I still don't quite see him as a big kid yet.

But a funny thing is happening. Until this point, I've wanted to bottle him up and keep him little.

Now though, I find myself looking to future. Not rushing time, but wondering what he will be like when he is 7? 10? 12? 15? 20?

Constantly.

Instead of always wishing I could keep him little, I keep finding myself wishing I can keep him, HIM.

There's so much good in him. There's so much uniqueness in him. There's so much gentle and caring in him. There's so much imagination in him.

These are now the things I want to bottle up.

Because if I can help him preserve these things, I think I'll have an easier time watching him become that big kid.