boys

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 

--A.A. Milne

Parker went to the hunting lease with JT and my dad last weekend.  They rode 4 wheelers and shot at targets and wild pigs.  I read Wild at Heart a few years ago and it gave me such an insight into the men in my life, but most importantly, I think it helps me understand my boys and just what it is that makes them tick.  Parker loves the adventure of life!  His favorite place in the world is Lake City...our summer "get away".  We go on LOOOONG 4 wheeler rides, go fishing, throw rocks in the river, skip rocks on the lake, and just play and play and play.  He plays in the dirt and gets absolutely filthy...and you've never seen a happier boy!  

When he and JT go hunting or fishing, he's so excited in the mornings, that he rarely gives me a hug or even a good-bye.  He's just too busy with all the preparing and helping and things that need to get done before they can be on their way.  He's right between being a little boy and big boy...

But, when they come home after their adventures, he always has a big hug and kiss for me and tells me he misses me.  It melts me.  He's full of stories for me and sometimes brings me a present.  When they got home last weekend, he has pockets full of rocks that he had picked out for me.  It's amazing how something like that immediately becomes a treasure...so much more than the "treasures" that our culture offers.  I wish I had pictures of all the little things that he has given me these past 6 years...grass blades, ladybugs, rollypollies, dandelions...I told him that I'm going to find a little bowl to keep all my rocks in and put in our bedroom.  He beamed.  If only I could put a little of his 6 year old innocence and love in that bowl too.  I try so hard to savor every bit of my boys being little...I know that each year, I lose them a little, and that makes my heart sad.  Just thinking of them leaving our nest is almost too much for my heart to take...But I pray and pray that we'll raise them to have wings and fly from our nest when the time comes.  Fly with confidence and with the truth in their hearts.  It's an unspeakable honor to be the first girl that they love and want to protect and bring those treasures to...

I was talking to a friend once about having little boys and she said that boys love their mama's deep...I love that.  Thank you, Jesus, for giving me two adventurous, loving boys.  Boys that are wild at heart!