Three Years

I can hardly believe Joseph turned three yesterday! It's been a wild three years, but I wouldn't change any of it. This boy has stretched me to my limits and taught me a lot over the last couple of years. He's never been a good sleeper (still isn't), is constantly hungry, loves to goof around, and has a huge heart. He has been my busiest child so far and we still have tough Sunday's in church but I love seeing him grow and develop. He is so curious and hands on and loves to figure things out for himself. He is daring and brave and holds his own with his older siblings. I was shocked when he walked pretty much the whole way on our hike this Summer without complaining once. He is rough and tough and loves hard work. Anytime I am busy mopping or shoveling snow or carrying something he always asks to help. 

Lately he has become quite talkative and the things he says crack me up. The other day he was trying to measure (or size) me and he said, "Hold still, I'm just going to exercise you." He then made some hilarious sound effects as he lifted his hand into the air to measure how tall I was. One day out of the blue he told me how much he loved me. I thanked him and told him that it makes my heart happy when he says such nice things and he replied, "Hittin' doesn't make your heart happy, only LOVE YOU'S make your heart happy." 

His most recent accomplishment is potty training. One day I noticed him take himself to the potty, the next day we tried out the big boy undies and he hasn't had a problem since. He always wakes up dry and uses the potty first thing in the morning. Grasping potty training so easily totally makes up for anything else we've struggled with!

He is such a little joy from his blonde little head all the way to his feet that seem to run non-stop wherever we are. He has a zest for life like no other and I can't wait to watch him grow some more! Happy birthday Joe-Joe.