Act Like Men. This phrase has been running through my head lately. Our boys are no longer little cuties playing cars and snuggling with mommy. I do miss those days...
Today our boys are young men in training. (Key words--in training.) With Braylen at 15, Kaleb on the cusp of 13, and Aaron right in the middle of age 10, Derek and I are officially training up young men. We'll be in this mode for quite a while. In lots of ways it's like having little boy antics present in bigger bodies. The wrestling, the noise levels, the odors, the fights, the messes--young men in training are all of these things and more. Some days I delight in it. Some days I grow weary of it. One thing that never changes? I am SO THANKFUL for my husband. He used to be a young man in training, so I run to him for help a lot these days. It struck me recently that while I needed his help with the baby years and the little boy years, his involvement with our sons in THESE years is essential. I could not effectively parent these young men without him.
Why is this just now hitting me? Maybe it's because 4th grade has changed Aaron. While his older brothers were already young men in training, Aaron remained my little boy. I still had him to keep me grounded in those little boy years. Then 4th grade happened and I really didn't see the change coming. You would think by now I should know what to expect with a 4th grade boy. Maybe I just forgot? Anyway, with Aaron's new independence and separation from Mom, we're moving on.
Here's what I know:
- I'm no longer the center of their lives. And that is how it should be.
- These young men need to bravely walk the path towards manhood, while I learn to step back and let them.
- I'm still here for them, sometimes out of sight and out of mind, but always within reach.
My inspiration for this post comes from the Bible verse below. It's my new favorite for this season of training young men.
I Corinthians 16:13-14
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
And that's what's going on beneath the surface of everyday life. :)
A few pictures to wrap this up!
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| Since taking Family Consumer Science, Kaleb helps out more in the kitchen. |
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| Veteran's Day parade Braylen's last chance to march this season and our last chance to watch him. |
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| Derek got the boys ready for deer season this year. Then he went to bed since he worked all night long. |
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| They needed lots of layers to stay warm! |
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| Serving his son and sending him out to hunt while he stays behind. My husband acting like a man! |
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| Snow on November 15th, opening day of deer season! Since Derek was home and awake, he and Aaron shoveled our driveway. :) |
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| Aaron and his smiley face pepperoni pizza |
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