Friday, December 19, 2008

The present you don't expect.

Its the unanticipated gifts that sometimes are the best.  Not because they are big or expensive, they're just so UNEXPECTED.  Intangible really.  You can't articulate them or dream them up.  Just one day they show up, and gleefully you accept them. 

It was crazyville at our house after school. Colton had Ethan over.  Nolan had Isaac over and then Caleb came to join in.  While it was LOUD, and CHAOTIC, it was still mostly laughter and shouts by boys... well ... being boys.  They played wildly for almost two hours and then abruptly, I heard Nolan start getting worked up.  The boys were running and getting too close to his backpack.  He was adamant the boys not get too close.  When Dakota came careening around the corner and her paws skidded on the slippery floor within inches of his backpack, his last bit of composure escaped him.  His precise words, "everyone needs to leave NOW!"  He grabbed his backpack and headed for the other room. The other boys left as we sat down to eat dinner.  Nolan came from the other room.  "There are two important presents under the tree." he said.  "Don't anybody touch them.  They're fragile and I made them for you dad and one for you mom." "And", his voice getting stern now, "no PEEKING."  "Cuz I worked hard on those."  

Rick, not missing a beat, piped up.  "Please, can't I just take a little look, just for a second?"  "NO, dad." "Aw c'mon, just one shake, please?"  Nolan getting a little put out now.  "DAD, they could break!"  "You'll have to wait for Christmas."  They continued going back and forth.  Finally Rick threw out the final threat "If I can't have it now I'M CANCELLING CHRISTMAS!"  By now both boys are grinning.  Colton calmly says, "thats okay, Christmas isn't about presents."  "Colton? What IS it about then?" I asked.   "Baby Jesus' Birthday!"  he proudly proclaimed.  "DUH."  And Nolan chimed in, "Besides mom.  Its about GIVING. Not what you and dad get."  Insert eyeroll here.  Picture parents leaping for joy here!  We so often wonder if we're heard. Or when we've said something for the 1000th time, is 1001 really going to be any different? And yet we repeat the same words and lessons constantly. And it appears that, maybe, just maybe, it happens one day. Maybe its the 768th time we've said something and it sinks in.  Maybe its the first time and they just love to see us squirm.  But what we as parents know, its a gift nonetheless.  

Apparently Dakota was the only one unphased by all the hoopla.  After Nolan scolded her she sought refuge.  Could you blame her?



10 comments:

  1. SO so sweet....
    See, good parenting = good kids!

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  2. What a gift for you to know they GOT IT!! It makes me less nervous giving my kids the gifts when I know they understand the greater meaning.

    Your dog and I have a lot in common right now. We are laying in almost the same position! lol

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  3. That was great to read! You two do a great job as parents!

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  4. Heather and Bonnie: Shoot, we all try don't we? Its nice of you to say such sweet things though.

    Ruthie, you just lay there all you need too : ) One day you'll leave the couch and won't look back!

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  5. Don't ya love it when out of nowhere the kids let you know you're doing things right?!?!?
    And I love your pup. I'd just snuggle up right next to her...
    Stay warm today my Snow Friend...It' 59* here, but I hear cooler temps are coming...woohoo!

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  6. Robin,

    she isn't really supposed to be on the couch... but, she has ruled our lives for a long time now! Here's to cooler temps for you and hopefully not for us! As promised its snowing again!

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  7. I love reading about your husband teasing him... that is SO what my dad would have done. You have a couple of boys with very sweet hearts... :)

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  8. Sara, we see glimmers of hope every now and then. Are you staying warm and well? Did you get much snow? We've been at hockey and then I came home to shovel but dang its COLD : )

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  9. We had two storms in a row that gave me a 3 day migraine, just finally coming out of hibernation :) We got 13 inches of snow from Thurs. into Fri., and then about 2 more yesterday. We have plenty!!!

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  10. Ouch! Both for the snow and a three day migraine! And you still did that beautiful post yesterday? You never cease to amaze me: ) I hope you start to feel more like yourself again soon : )

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