My 3 Men

I just have to devote a post to telling you how precious it is to see my young boys so in awe of their daddy. This kind of came about because yesterday at the gym they were in childcare when he pulled into the parking lot. A friend of mine came in right after he had pulled in (I was already on the treadmill) and told me how precious the boys were...that they got SO excited to see their daddy. In fact, she even made reference to the fact that she had never really seen kids get that exited over seeing their daddy! (which makes me feel sad...especially for boys!) First of all, I will say that I am humbled beyond measure that God brought H into my life. Amanda said it perfectly in this post about her husband. She basically said that her husband was God's grace in her life. That is totally me!

But, aside from all that he is to me as a husband, he is that times 10 to our sons. They ADORE him....love NOTHING more than for him to come home....want to be with him ALL the time! I just love it! I cannot think of anyone else in this entire world who I would rather them want to be like...to be....he is a Godly man with a passion for serving Jesus...even though he doesn't always let that show. He is private...and would be perfectly content if it was just me, him and the boys on a deserted island all by ourselves...not that he doesn't appreciate our friendships (and he has come a LONG way in this area - sometimes now HE even suggests that we call friends to hang out - and once, he even admitted that he missed having company over to our house - who would have thought it!)He loves our family, and he is able to keep all of life in proper perspective. He is my balance. He is my friend. He is, hands down, the greatest dad I know. Here are just a few things that the boys have said or done regarding their daddy that just remind me over and over again that God is good.

* The other night, Leighton and I were laying in his bed "snuggling up" and talking when I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. First he said a monster truck driver. When I prompted him a little more by saying what did he want to be when he had a wife and kids, he said, "I want to be Daddy!" (WOW!) He went on to explain he would like to work for AT&T but here in Clanton so he could be close to our house.

* Logan is a riot in case any of you haven't seen him in a while. Every single minute he says something that is making us laugh. His most recent antic is that he repeats EVERYTHING that you say and he thinks it is hilarious. Most of the time it is pretty much just saying exactly what you just said, like a parrot, but there is one that he "repeats" but he doesn't even realize it. H has always asked him questions and then most of the time he will follow up Logan's answer with "It sure does." (if that is appropriate) So now, Logan says ALL THE TIME, "It sure does." or "That sure does." He is like H's mini-me!

* Leighton loves to just spend time with H. On Sunday afternoons when Logan and I have our "rest time" they usually go outside and do something. That something oftentimes in the winter involves some variety of wood stacking, splitting, etc. He is such a trooper. He does EXACTLY what H says...no matter what! It is amazing to watch them together and then to watch them when they are apart and see how much Leighton talks like his daddy and how much his gestures are just like H's.

Then there are those things that I think are just genetic. Like somehow they are just wired to be like him:

* H has a strange affinity for being the loudest hand clapper in any given situation. It actually came about during church one day, so now our running joke is whether or not he is the loudest clapper. (He makes me so proud!) Anyway, this is not something that the boys have ever been a part of because they are in the nursery/children's church when this normally takes place. Well, lo and behold, we were in the kitchen the other afternoon and Logan starts clapping his hands, HARD. He is clapping so hard that his face is turning red. When I asked him what he was doing he said, "I clap my hands the loudest!" SHUT UP! Could he be any more like his daddy?

* H has said on MANY occasions that if he and I weren't married, or if something happened to me, then he would NEVER marry again...he just doesn't think that much of it. (Isn't that endearing for me to know as his wife!?) Anyway, yesterday when we pulled up at the gym, we saw a little girl from Leighton's school. He immediately said, "Mama, I do know that girl, but I am NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT MARRYING HER!" Well, okay then...I didn't think that you were, but I am glad we are clear!