Four Years

I'm truly baffled by the span of time between then and now.

 How can four years seem simultaneously brief and epic?  So much has changed since you came into our lives, yet I can't imagine our lives without you being part of this family's cataclysmic evolution.  Like a stained glass window with glowing shards of brilliant colors welded together with lead that can only truly show the art when the sun is out--you are that sunshine to me, to this family.  There's a holiness in you, a low, glowing, warming holiness that humbles me.

Since the moment I held you, your soft chocolate curls under my chin, I felt fully content.  You have gentle spirit, like your Papa's, and your grace and pensive nature are lovely to behold.

sweetness

the siren's call

because who needs pants in the rain?

so often there's a halo of light on him... or emanating from within him

river walk

here's my pensive boy

I miss these curls.

My wonderful wild, magical son.

Halo on the 4th of July

Pooltime!  And again, a halo.

One of my favorite images of Raphael.  This when he was about two, and so perfectly reflects his dear and precious soul.

Riding his little trike at three.

This is why I love boys, and he epitomizes BOY.  Wild, free spirited, glowing, and strong!

Making some serious art.  Raphael has an artist core, musically, visually, he sees things lost on most of us.

Winter 2013, he loves the snow, what a daring boy, my Raph.

Giving his homies, Leo, Mikey, Don and Raph (the other one) a shout out.

"I gotta draw, Mom.  I just need to draw."  What he said upon waking up one morning.

Seriously, the angels are jealous of this boy's sweet heart.

You're not super until you're 12th Man Super!

I love this shot of him crooning "Pizza Angel" over the cinnamon while we made breakfast on the day of his 4th birthday.

Canvas is a precious commodity in our house, and on his birthday he got to paint.  He wanted a shark, which I lined in ink and he carefully painted.  He's gotten so good at painting, and he works so hard to be careful and even meticulous. 

Proud artist showing his upside down shark.  What a wonderful job for such a little man on his 4th birthday!  He has a gift, and we're wondering how he'll use it as he grows up.

My little man mocked up tough-looking for the camera.

Opening his gift from mom and dad on his birthday.

Sprinkles and bunting for a four year old boy.  He has the Heitzman sweet tooth!

His sweet face.  

I wish we had been able to have the awesome "Cars" birthday party that I had been planning.  I had created invites, and gotten RSVPs from friends and family.  But with Aaron's testing schedules and school schedules, it was not going to happen.  So for his big 5th birthday, I'm cooking up something special for my boy.

Raphael, there are so many ways you bless us each day with your grace, there are so many reasons why I'm so overjoyed that you're my boy and that you are in our lives, warming us with your sense of humor and your tenderest of hearts.  You have completed our family, your are the table's forth leg, and without you, sweetheart, the rest of us couldn't stand up!  We love you so, sweet boy.  God bless you, and may this year, your forth year, preschool and swimming lessons, new friends and new teachers, be a year filled with healthy, happiness, and sweet glowing childhood memories and joy.