The Little but Big Things

It's funny how Adam and I started framing significant purchases and timelines with the existence of our kids. Our last washer was purchased when Vanessa was about 2 years old, cause I remember her studying how the washer worked. Last year we replaced that washer cause we hated the frontloader.

I've created such a habit with this that now I lose sight of when we purchased things before the kids' existence. When our dryer broke recently and weighing the decision to try and fix or buy a new one, Adam reminded me that my dad purchased that dryer for us, soon before our moving away from Gallipolis. He reminded me that when we bought my grandparents' refurbished set, upon moving them into a nursing home, the dryer broke soon after and my dad felt horrible we paid for my grandparents' dryer that didn't last us very long. That was my dad -- he always wanted things to be done right and well and was a man of his word. I think I happily accepted my dad's offering because I knew what it meant to him.

Sometimes my pride or unjustified and misdirected guilt gets in the way, though, and I feel regretful when it's too late to allow those we love and cherish to do something that means so much to them. But I've gotten better to redirect my thinking to wow, what a special and rare person to show such unconditional kindness. Most importantly I want my kids to know this kind of person and to strive to be like them.

Through the Window

Zane loves time with Dad. They recently spent breakfast at Bob Evans together, and playing ball is one of Zane's favorite things to do with Dad. I love to stand back but peer through the window and see the depth of their relationship.

Daddy Bedtime

One thing extra pronounced personalities thrive in is routines, especially Hendrix. His daddy plays a huge part in Hendrix's bedtime routine, and to be honest, I consider it precious to stand by and witness. 

One routine I wish I could catch inconspicuously is when Hendrix picks out his t-shirt (usually red or football) and PJ bottoms with his daddy's help. Daddy positions the shirt open and ready to spring over Hendrix's arms and head. Hendrix runs about 12 feet away and exclaims "Mommy, watch!" And then he launches and runs toward Daddy to see if he can nail the moving target, which is Hendrix. "Ready, set, go!" He's so fast that Daddy usually misses about 3 times before explaining that we have to get it on the last attempt. 

Then Mommy sometimes holds up the PJ bottoms, lined up so when Hendrix launches into the air about 5 or so feet, with his daddy's help, he can land his feet and legs in the holes of the bottoms. 

And for a long while, not as frequently anymore, Hendrix stands on the bed and bumps his Daddy with all kinds of affection. The goodnight kisses and love can be so powerful that it bumps Hendrix backward, landing on the mattress to then get back up and do a few times more, before "Last time" and final kisses and hugs. 

Bronze Age

Vanessa received her Bronze Award from Girl Scouts  this month. It had been a while since completing the related project, but with bowing out of Girl Scouts this last year, and the rest of her troop merging with another troop, it made good sense to wait for the other troop to catch up and to have the ceremony together. Vanessa has some hesitation going to the related ceremony, probably because she had closed the Girl Scout chapter in her mind. She was anxious because although she knew some parts would feel familiar, so much else would be very different from what she had grown close and comfortable.

Once we arrived and she faced the unknown, shortly after being picked up from the same area for Crossfit Club, she grew excited to reconnect for a short moment. Vanessa misses the relationships she developed with troopmates but is thankful she roams the same hallways with all of them on a pretty regular basis.

She was excited to share her certificate and award with her dad and brother. I'm proud of her confidence and desire to grow and try new things.

New Moon

Vanessa and Zane argue over helping and doing things with Hendrix, like they're both fighting to be Hendrix's favorite. What they are coming to realize though, is that Hendrix loves them both a ton but for many different reasons, and Hendrix might want to be closer to one over the other because of particular circumstances. They're each creating a unique bond that can't be matched by any other.

When Vanessa is away, Zane basically begs his dad to trade him sleeping spots for the night. His dad caves knowing that sometimes sleep and closeness are more important than rigid routines. Hendrix used to be jealous to share cuddling with Zane at bedtime, but now he insists on it.

With Hendrix's new color changing blood moon in the background, Zane is thrilled to be the helper with setting it up and to be pulled extra close to Hendrix to enjoy it.

672's Winter Hike

Zane enjoyed his Pack's winter hike this year, at the Indian Village Outdoor Rec Center. We ventured onto parts of the grounds we had never been on before. The boys looked for animal tracks and we ended the event with a campfire and skits.

It can be cute . . .

. . . watching him act like a little man . . . but it also puts me a little on edge . . . 

W[i]ldlife

It's reassuring that our kids can find schoolmates that share a like mindedness in their shared faith. I'm all for strengthening my children's entire foundation, not just bits a pieces of weekends and weeknights with our church family, but all structural pieces, like spending time with classmates that revolves around their relationships with Christ. It makes sense to nurture all those relationships, doesn't it? Especially with schoolmates that they cross paths with and walk down similar hallways with the majority of their days. . . . We know it's a wild life navigating the tween years, so it's cool that through Young Life Wyldlife, the OSU student leaders invest in the lives of those following closely behind...

[pic is from last Fall]