why i love my boys

Children are a huge blessing, especially when you have a wonderful marriage. They are also a challenge at times. But, what’s even more challenging is the responsibility of molding and shaping their lives spiritually. I pray many times each day for the wisdom needed to accomplish such an awesome task…I don’t want to fail my children. So, when I’m stressed or feel like I’ve failed, I just look at them and see the beauty God’s created. Here are some of their greatest qualities I’ve noticed so far…

Al, eight years old and finishing the 3rd grade, is our oldest boy. He is a miracle. We were told for years that we would not have children. On a missions trip to El Salvador, my husband and I worked with a group of doctors who sparked my faith. I just knew when I got home, I was going to be pregnant. In a few weeks, I stared down at the little pink plus sign and cried. I could barely contain my excitement over a pregnancy I had prayed for and wanted for 7 years.

Al is always happy. He’s always smiling and singing to himself. He’s quiet and shy, but if you cross him, he will stand his ground. He’s got an incredible imagination…he can be in the same room with you, yet a million miles away. He is incredibly niave…we can pull anything over on him. He wants to be a movie star or a famous singer. He loves to help me pick out clothes, and I can threaten him the most by saying If you don’t stop, I’m going to pick you up at school in my pajamas without makeup. Isn’t that funny? I can already see spiritual discernment in him…he watches everything closely and asks alot of questions. I can also see a tenacity in him to be able to be different than others and proud of it. He’s already learning to deal with bullying and kids with bad backgrounds, but I know it will just make him stronger. He is adorable…that face is so cute, I just have to kiss those dimply cheeks at least twenty times a day. My Al is so precious…I can’t believe how big he’s getting, but he’ll always be my miracle baby.

Jake, six years old and finishing kindergarten, is our youngest. Jake is very outgoing…I am known mostly as Jake’s mom. It all began in the womb…he was so active, it felt like he was doing somersaults in there. Of course, when I found out I was pregnant I was so happy, but I thought I would be so tied down with two little ones. I did everything exciting I could while pregnant with Jake. The first month, I went snow skiing…the dr. said I could. I had a brand new pair of skis and couldn’t wait. At six months, I went to Africa. The dr. did not like it, but I went anyway. I would throw up each morning outside of my rundoble–thatch-roof hut, with an ostrich trio watching nearby. The only time I became a little worried was on safari. I had to pee so bad and there wasn’t a rest area anywhere nearby. Our guide, Jimmy or Johnny, pulled over and sent me over a little hill with a huge sign posted Danger: Stay In Vehicle. Afterwards, he told me that the day before there was a whole pride of lions lying under that sign…he thought that was funny. During my pregnancy with Jake I spent time in Chicago and St. Louis. I flew late in my pregnancy, even at 8 months. I remember going to the maternity shop and asking for an outfit that made me look less pregnant…the saleslady just laughed.

Jake isn’t afraid of anything. He will definitely talk to strangers. He is hillariously funny. He loves Star Wars and Super Mario Brothers. He knows everything about those two subjects!…seriously ask him anything. Jake is very smart. He taught himself to read at age four. At five, his older brother would ask him for answers to his math homework (I had to make him stop). Jake is popular and so cute. He is very affectionate, always wanting hugs and kisses, or to sit on your lap and snuggle. He is also very spiritually sensitive. One morning while doing my devotions, I was praying in the Spirit, and heard him sitting next to me doing the same. He was about three years old. It was so precious. He loves to talk about God and imagine what heaven is like…he has some wild ideas.

My boys are a treasure…a blessing from above. I can’t imagine life without them. I just love watching them grow up to be the men God has prepared them to be.