Z as in Zebra

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There must be something naturally ingrained in boys that makes them fearless warriors. In fact, I know there is. God says so.

In becoming a tough guy, bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes are all a part of the initiation process.

The hard part? They scare/worry the mama more than they worry the boy!

This scrape was earned in the cousins’ tree house. You know, the one that’s 6-and-a-half feet up in the air but you can still climb the ladder and get into? (side note: GASP) You were playing around up there while I watched (like a HAWK) from arm’s length. You lost your footing while opening the door and slipped only a few inches (side note: GASP), but enough to scrape your chin.

You fussed a little bit, but when I said, “Come here and let me kiss it,” you looked at me with distrust. Almost as if you knew I’d make you come down if I got a hold of you.

So you just wiped your bloody chin on your sleeve and climbed back into the tree house. And I learned (yet again), that if you are “hurt” and don’t seem to care, I shouldn’t worry about it too much, either.

Learning to be tough is part of learning to be a man. And I’m learning to leave you alone a bit so you can learn that.

But I’m still be available to kiss your boo-boos whenever you need me to.

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Check out some other folks doing Project 52: Lucas & Mahina; Shawna at StyleBerry; Wicked Kate; WokAbout

If you are participating in this year’s Project 52, leave me a comment and let me know…I’d love to link up with you!

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Watching my son gather things to snuggle with always amuses me. Sometimes it’s the typical blankie-and-stuffed-kitty combo. Sometimes Bear, Horsey (“Tootie” as Beau says), and Guy are part of the mix.

Lately, he’s been really interested in a doll was his older sisters’. “Baby” used to wear a lacy, crocheted pink and white dress, but we “boy-ed” Baby up by swapping it out for a brown and red onesie…much manlier, wouldn’t you agree?

Now Baby is in the running for daily snuggle companion. On the day I took this photo, Daddy’s sweatshirt and a small wrench were also chosen. Ha! Only a boy would cuddle with a wrench!

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Check out some other folks doing Project 52: Lucas & Mahina; Shawna at StyleBerry; Wicked Kate; WokAbout

If you are participating in this year’s Project 52, leave me a comment and let me know…I’d love to link up with you!

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We are at that stage of toddlerhood where every word we say gets repeated. Which is great if the words are kind like “I love you” or “thank you.” Knowing you are being watched 24/7 by an impressionable child sure makes a person more cautious!

But it’s not all fearful. And it’s not all “planned,” either. Sometimes I know Beau is copying me because it happens immediately. Then there are other times like the photo above where I catch a secret glimpse into his world and notice that he’s emulating me.

I did not grow up in a family of faith, and it wasn’t until I was 19 that I became a Christ-follower. I have always known I wanted my kids to know Jesus and what He means to me/us. Each morning, I read an entry from the devotional Jesus Calling. Generally, I try to read before Beau wakes up, but if that doesn’t happen, I read it aloud to him over breakfast.

Apparently he can sense this book has special meaning. While I was tidying up the other day, Beau quietly grabbed the throw pillow off my bed, got the book, and laid down on the floor to “read.” Luckily I was able to snap a pic of him before he knew I was watching.

This moment reminded me of my goal in life: to live in such a way that my friends, family, and especially my children, know that I love the Lord and I pray above all else that they would come to know Him, too. There is no greater gift than to point our loved ones towards everlasting life!

Moments like this make me wonder: am I teaching Beau about life or is he teaching me?

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Check out some other folks doing Project 52: Lucas & Mahina; Shawna at StyleBerry; Wicked Kate; WokAbout

If you are participating in this year’s Project 52, leave me a comment and let me know…I’d love to link up with you!

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No matter what my husband and I are doing: working on the computer, watching a DVD, fixing something, cooking, cleaning, etc, you can bet if there’s a button involved, Beau is ready to help!

Perhaps it’s not just a boy thing, but more a toddler thing. I LOVE the way Beau’s face just lights up when he presses a button and it makes something happen.

Oh, to find magic in everyday things! With the click of a button, my son is teaching me about noticing the simple joys in life.

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Check out some other folks doing Project 52: Lucas & Mahina; Shawna at StyleBerry; Wicked Kate; WokAbout

If you are participating in this year’s Project 52, leave me a comment and let me know…I’d love to link up with you!

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Considering that this time last year, we had blizzard-like conditions in our city, this has been a very mild winter. We’ve had several tank-top weather days, even! And it has been awesome. I’ll take heat over cold any day.

But Beau? He doesn’t care what the weather is like. He wants to play outside! Bundling him up sometimes takes longer than the amount of time we actually spend playing (nothing like frozen noses and chattering teeth to take the fun out of any activity!)

His winter coat keeps him perfectly warm, but the way it makes him waddle always reminds me of this scene from “A Christmas Story”

But he’s my son and I love doing what he loves. Even if it means being outside in the cold!

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Check out some other folks doing Project 52: Lucas & Mahina; Shawna at StyleBerry; Wicked Kate; WokAbout

If you are participating in this year’s Project 52, leave me a comment and let me know…I’d love to link up with you!