Not-So-Sleeping Beauty

"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." - Psalms 30:5

If our baby Zy had a life verse, this would be it. Please don't pity us (or send sleep training advice), our nights aren't that bad, and in the morning, no matter how impossible it seems that Isaiah could be well rested, he is always a bundle of joy. For the first half of the day, there's almost nothing that gets this guy down. Instead, he works hard to cheer up the couple of not-so-morning people we have in the family, with toothless grins a mile wide, and giggles that could charm the grumpiest night owl.

Jon ascribes to the half of the family that wouldn't mind if mornings didn't start till afternoon, but even before his first cup of coffee, he can't resist this guy's contagious glee. He told me once:

"I will most likely always think of Isaiah like his happy morning self, even when he's 50 years-old."

And my heart melted. 

It melted at the precious image of my 84 year-old husband seeing our 50 year-old son, just as happy and unaffected by the world as this innocent babe I hold in my arms now. Because I know he won't be untouched by the world, and as much as I insist that he will stay as pure, I know he will be full of his own flaws and a lifetime of trials that will shape him possibly as much as his triumphs. But Jon will still see only his sweet smiling innocence.

I wish I'd known Angie like that. The faultless cooing infant, before she learned of the world's darkness, earlier than anyone should learn such things. Before the darkness had time to effect her and to mold her. When her personality was raw and perfect just as God had created it. So, I could remember that Angie during the times when I can't always see it...

And I wish that we could all see each other like that. Before sin, our own and those of others, left its mark. The way God intended us, the way God Himself sees us, as His perfect children, blameless and washed clean by the blood of His Son.

"He made us pure and holy, and He gave Himself to purchase our freedom." -1 Corinthians 1:30

Next time I see someone at their worst, when all their ugliness is front and center, and it'd be easy to define them by just that, I'll try to imagine them as the beautiful baby they once were who lit up a room with their laughter. I'll try to remember that they were once as flawless as our darling boy is now, and that the loveliness God intended for them is still in there, waiting to be invited out with a touch of kindness.

I hope you'll try to remember the same for me...

And now here are a few shots of Isaiah in his most peaceful and perfect state:

Right next to Mommy is his favorite place to sleep.

Sleeping next to Daddy is pretty awesome too!

Next to Bula is a good alternative as well, especially during church which is not quite age appropriate for him.

Helping Mommy work is exhausting!

No words to describe the cuteness.

We call this pose "The Surrender" after he finally gives in to sleeping alone.

Tuckered out...

All of us tried to catch a few Zzzz's on the overnight flight to Bolivia last month.

Car rides are even more sleep-inducing than plane flights.

Sometimes he doesn't even wait to wake up to start smiling.

Sweet dreams, Little One. 

He's too advanced to read his books right side up, but upside down sure wears him out.

My three Loves...