August 11-12, 2011- Time off with a Houseful of Boys!

     Tonight, I am writing this blog as I listen to the whispers and light snoring of 5 boys in my house.  I was lucky enough to be able to take a couple of days off this week to catch up with my babies since they arrived back from vacation with dad, and I found out rather quickly that they are at the age when they simply want to be with friends, so I compromised and said, “Well, let’s invite some friends over for a sleepover and beach day, and we’ll all spend time together then.” Of course, the boys were all for that, and during the first part of the evening, when they were all riled up and wrestling, voices rising as the excitement of being all together built up, I was wondering if maybe I’d made a hasty decision to have them all over at once and for a full 24 hours, but as we sat down to dinner, I was so glad I had.  I am amazed at the manners and maturity of the kids my boys have chosen as friends.  They were thankful for the tacos I made, polite when asking or receiving things, cleaned up after themselves (for the most part-like all boys J), and more than anything, they included me in the evening.  Each one loves to chat, and they want to know what I think about things, just as I want to know what they think.  I never realized that at 7 and 9, I would have so much to talk about with my children and their friends. 

     I have enjoyed every stage of my boys’ lives so far in one way or another, but I believe I am now getting closer to what may become one of my favorite “growing up” years with them.  I remember my mom telling me once that one of her favorite times with all of us (my brothers and me) was when we were teenagers, which is usually the age most parents dread getting to and going through with their kids.  I was surprised at first when she told me this, but I understand more now than I ever have in the past.  I mean, that’s when you can really talk to your children and get to know them as the beautiful children of God they are becoming. How cool is that?!

     I am blessed and lucky to not only have healthy, intelligent, and compassionate children, but also to have boys who enjoy chatting and learning about life and people.  I am floored by their insight, and I love their openness and honesty.  I hope they never lose that as they get older.  And I am not talking just about my boys, but their friends who are here with me tonight as well.  They are all precious young boys, quickly growing into respectful and kind young men.  I look forward to watching them grow up and seeing where life takes them.  Whoever thought the highlight of my week would be spending time with five 7-9 year olds in a 900 square foot house! I’m so glad it is, and I can’t wait to see what interesting conversations we will have together tomorrow!

     God bless these precious boys and their futures, may life be full of positive learning curves and people who treat them as kindly as they been treated and have been taught to treat others.  May they always remember that hope, faith, and love will get them through anything and to never give up or lose their optimism and openness, keeping their childlike faith and love for life and others forever. May God bless their parents as well, who have taken their jobs seriously and made a valiant and worthwhile effort to do their best to assist their boys in becoming great men someday in a day and age when expecting your children to show respect and listen to elders is considered too harsh because it might hurt their self-esteem.  Thank you, “old school parents” for teaching your children character and going “against the grain” to do what you know in your heart is best for them.