Are You There God? It's Me.....Aiden

Most days Aiden will say at least one thing that leaves me either laughing hysterically or scratching my head.  He has been on quite a roll these past few weeks.

Exhibit A:  We were playing in the floor and all the sudden he lets out a deep sigh and puts his head in his hands.  I say, "What's wrong, Aiden?".   He replies, "Mama, I been workin' a lot of years and I'm really getting tired."  Poor guy.  He's going to be worn smooth out by the time he's 9.

Exhibit B:  The very next day, we are rushing around trying to get out the door for school.  Just when I think I've got them heading to the car, Aiden stops and sits down on the stairs, again with his head in his hands and lets out a deep sigh.  "What's wrong, buddy?", I say.  He replies, "Mama, all this playin' and huggin' on bubba (Miller) is really wearing me out." 

Exhibit C:  Last week, Aiden got in trouble and I told him he couldn't go outside to play with all the kids on the street.  This was apparently cruel and unusual punishment because I have never seen him so upset or work so hard to get around something.  He starts trying everything he can to persuade me to let him go outside, but I am sticking to my guns.  He is begging, pleading, promising, getting angry, pouting, pouring on the charm, loving on me--EVERYTHING.  Finally, he relents.....or so I thought.  A few minutes later, he comes back to me and says, "Mama, Jesus told me that it's ok if I go outside and play."  "Oh really?" I replied.  "Yes, He came and told me that it was ok."  I said, "Well, Jesus also says that you should mind your mommy and daddy," I told him.  He thought for a few seconds and then says, "No....he didn't tell me that, He just said that I could go out and play."  Oh my.  What am I going to do with this kid?  He is too smart for his own good--especially when he's trying to get something he wants.  And all this time I had no idea my son had Jesus on speed dial for when he is being punished! 

Exhibit D:  He also does things that make me laugh.  For example, I sent him upstairs to put on his shoes so we could leave the house. He was up there for a while and when he came down, I saw that he had changed his entire outfit--head to toe--and decided that this was what he needed to wear to the grocery store:

 

Super Hero Cowboy?

I hope everyone has a happy weekend!

much love,

Gina

Happy Birthday Daddy

My daddy would have been 65 years old today. Finally to the age to "retire" like he so very much deserved.

He was the rock of our family. He was a happy, amazingly intelligent, handsome, funny, witty, story-telling man who lived every day for his family.

I will never forget the day that forever changed our lives: March 26, 2009. After the doctor came in and told us the news, I have never felt so scared and helpless in my life. I cried for what seemed like forever and then they came to tell us that dad was awake from his procedure. I pulled together all the courage I could muster, wiped the tears from my eyes and put on the bravest face I could so he wouldn't see how scared I was. After a few minutes, he started talking about the night that his mom had lost her battle with cancer. He told us that after she died, he didn't know what else to do, so he went to work. I now realize that he was trying to tell us that it was ok to be sad, but you have to keep going. My dad gave me so many gifts in life, starting with marrying my wonderful mother. But I think the greatest gift he ever gave me was just to live, and to let me watch him do it.  And in the end, he also showed me what it truly means to face all of lifes challenges, including death, with dignity and courage.

At one point during his remarkably brave and courageous battle, I asked him if he was scared. His reply was simple. He said, "No, honey. I'm not scared. I'm just so grateful for you, your mom and your brother." So today, that is what I am going to try my best to remember. He may not have had anywhere near as many birthdays as I wish he had, but while he was here, he really lived and he loved his life and all those who were in it.

I love you and miss you so much daddy and today I'll miss seeing how excited you always were to see your coconut birthday cake.

much love,

Gina