"Goodbye Pacifier"

Well, in typical mommy exaggeration, my boy is on his way to becoming a man because his pacifier is officially gone for good. Why is it so hard to do these seemingly insignificant things? Because they are small steps on the road to his independence. This is exactly what I want and yet the very thing I would love to avoid. We had a rough first day although he never exactly asked for it, but the second and third days have been better. The most difficult time for me was about 6:00 Sunday morning when I heard him in his room crying, "my pa" (that's his name for it). It lasted all of 30 seconds and seemed like an eternity. It can be so hard to do the things that I know are best for him when they make him sad. I know this is a very small thing in comparison to the big ones I will one day have to watch, so I am grateful God gives me these things in baby steps. This is also another reminder of all the ways that God has to watch me "suffer" for my growth when it must hurt His heart. I am so glad that He does not always answer my cries for "my pa" which is whatever I want to use besides Him to soothe, comfort, or fill me. I am forever grateful for His tough love that continues to push and pull me back towards the only true answers and peace in His Presence and His timing. Lord, please give me the strength to love my son the way that You love him and me!

Here are a few of my favorite pacifier pictures "in memoriam:"