"I Want Daddy!"

The Mister was out of town this week on business, and the night before he left I found Josh setting the alarm on his DS for 6:30 a.m. I asked why he was doing this and he replied, "Because I want to say goodbye to dad before he leaves to Billings."

7:00 a.m. came and Josh had slept through his alarm. I mentioned this to the Mister and he wrote Josh a love note and put it on his bed before leaving.

Josh woke up crying because he had missed saying goodbye, so we called Mr. on his cell. This helped some, but Josh was still sobbing. (I can't remember the last time my 10-year old cried. Is this good or bad?) He gingerly folded the love note and put it in his shirt pocket over his heart. He said he felt like there was "a hole in my heart, and this would keep it warm."

The Mister left last week for business as well, but Josh didn't seem too affected by it. I wish I understood why he was so needy this week, but life goes on.

I recently read a wonderful novel about the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Josh's feelings and behavior reminded me of a book I recently read. Charles Martin says,

"Having been born one, and now trusted with three, I know this about boys: we are all born with a dad-sized hole drilled in the center of our chest. Our dad's either fill it up with themselves, or as we grow into men and start to sense the emptiness, we medicate it with stuff. Usually addictions." (Chasing Fireflies)

I think this is so very true. And not only is it true for boys, but it is especially true for daughters as well.

Life

Don't take life too seriously...no one gets out alive anyway.

Have a great week, everybody!

A Couple of Thoughts on Love

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that."

~ Michael Leunig

"Love everyone. And if you love someone who doesn't deserve it, God will certainly not be mad at you."

~ Mary Ellen Edmunds

The Mister sent me this bouquet on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. xox

"My Hero" by Josh Kelly

The fourth graders did a unit on heroes in our communities/country, etc. and were asked to present them for the class on Friday. Parents were invited to attend. This is what Josh came up with:

"A hero is someone who is dependable and loyal. What makes a hero special is that the hero cares for other people.

My Dad is my hero because he helps me with projects like my pinewood derby for scouts. He snuggles with me and we wrestle together. He teaches me about guns and we enjoy going shooting together.

This weekend he is going to take me to Kelly Canyon and teach me how to ski. I am excited about it.

My Dad is my hero because he is funny, strong, and cool. I think my Dad has a special purpose on earth because he survived 3 different near-death experiences in his life.

One last thing I like about my Dad is that he speaks French.

My Dad is my hero because I know he loves me and would do anything to help me be happy. I think he is the best Dad ever."
~given Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
~photo taken by Joseph in Mr. Hunsaker's 4th grade class

Barbie Meets Ancient Egypt

Josh got an Ancient Egypt Science Kit for his birthday/Christmas. Here we are several weeks post-holiday. He decided to 'mummify' his sister's Barbies with toilet paper and duct tape. (Both staples in our house.)