"I Want to be Grown Up!"

Tonight Dave and I were with another couple. The kids had already been tucked into bed. While we were talking my son came up and found a spot in the hallway where he could quietly motion for me to come to him. I quickly got up. I was curious about the glow on his face as I knew he had a loose tooth and thought maybe it was out. When I was very close and leaning in he showed me his mouth and his extremely wriggly tooth and said, "it wants to come out!" I said, "tonight?" "Yes, my tooth is saying, 'I want to be grown up!"
I took him to the bathroom so we could have some space. He wasn't sure what to do next so I asked if he wanted me to try. Just an aside here, the girls NEVER would have let me do that.
So we both wriggled and twisted. It didn't quite seem ready to do the grown up thing yet. I asked several times, "are you sure tonight's the night?" With a big smile, he assured me he would not go to bed until it was out!
He was determined and glowing and so excited for the grown up tooth to make its way in.

As parents we are finding there are many aspects to growing up. Some are very painful and bring us to our knees and others are cause for great celebration. Although we have experienced both this week I am very happy to end my day in celebration. In one situation we are working through it with tears and prayer, learning as much as we can in the midst of a difficult experience and with the other it is a glowing celebration.