Love Those Kids

Elijah

Some missionaries spoke at the church we attended today.  The second talk was about being a Gospel-Sharing Home.  I was listening, because I was interpreting the talk to myself (which always makes me feel like an idiot, which is why I don't do it more often).  I hadn't really given it a ton of thought, though, other than thinking that he gave a good story about his conversion.  It struck me as one of those "Yes, yes.  I should be doing missionary work, I get it" type of talks.

Sacrament meeting ended and before Elijah left for Primary he said, "Mom, I want to go over to the Jasper's house."  The Jasper's are our neighbors.  They're the cutest elderly people in the world, and they're great neighbors.  But I wasn't making the connection to the sudden interest in talking about them.  I asked Elijah to continue.  "I want to read the Book of Mormon with them."  What a cute, diligent boy.  I asked him which part of the Book of Mormon he wanted to read with them and he said, "I don't know.  I think I'll just start at the beginning."  And with that he walked to class.

I listened to the talk.  I was even paying attention.  But Elijah was listening with an open heart.

For as rambunctious as that little boy is, he sure teaches us a lot about living the Gospel.  His heart is nearly always in the right place.  Have I told you about him and Rick?  They've always had a strong connection, ever since Elijah was born.  During Rick's prolonged hospital stay, Elijah was the one always reminding us to pray for Rick.  In fact, I think he still includes him in his prayers, even though Rick is now home and doing "fine." 

Here's what gets me, though.  Since Rick has been home, Elijah has gone over to see him nearly every day.  EVERY DAY.  How many times have I personally been over?  Three times, maybe, in the last month or so.  Elijah goes over and talks to him, who knows about what.  He checks his legs to see if Rick is increasing his muscle mass.  He's so concerned.  You can just tell that that little boy understands that he almost lost his favorite great Uncle, and he now is determined to take care of him. 

It's just amazing to me.  I have all those adult concerns.  What if I don't have the right thing to say?  Well, I can't go over anyway, cause I'm busy.  He doesn't need me to go see him, he's fine.  All those kinds of things go through my head.  But Elijah just goes over.  As Rick put it, "it's precious."

Teancom

And then there's Tank.  The other day I asked him to help me do something.  I forget what it was, but it wasn't a big thing.  I'm used to the "I don't want to!" reaction that I get from some unnamed others, so I was shocked when after I told him thank you he said thank you right back.  I asked, "For what?"  He said, "For letting me help.  I like to help."  Aww.

Miciah

Honestly, Miciah has been getting on my nerves lately.  She has lots more homework this year, and I think it stresses her out a little, and we all know that I'm already stressed out.  Some days are fine, but other days aren't so fine.  Then Rob and I are together over the weekends and I start back over at Monday feeling alright again.

But Miciah's awesome.  She's still zany and likes being around us and her little brothers.  She loves babies, particularly the nearly-toddler age, and wants to help take care of them all she can.  She's writing a book for school and she's way excited about it.  She's reading Harry Potter so much that she stays up til ridiculous hours and then is grouchy the next day and blames us for not getting her homework done (go figure that one out).  Still, she's reading up a storm and acing Math tests and loving school.  It's great.

Plus, she's hilarious.  Even when she's mad, all I have to do is make a silly face at her and she's giggling and then making me giggle.  She has so much positive energy. 

Love those kids.

(Oh!  And love that husband, too.  In 2 weeks he has his first "professional" Great Thackeroni gig.  Though, he's not going to let them pay him except with a piece of birthday cake.  I've talked with Rob about this Great Thackeroni thing.  He always downplays the compliments he recieves, but I tell him he shouldn't.  Rob has a gift.  Clearly it's not magic.  That's obvious.  It's making people happy.  Making people smile.  And he can do it in so many ways!  He can sing, he's got zany accents he can pull out, fake magic he can perform.  Know what I would do if given a stage and 10 minutes to make people happy?  Fail miserably, that's what I would do.  And THAT'S what people see.  Rob has a gift that most of the rest of us don't.  It's awesome.)