Men

Men.  Today I'm thankful for mine.  They've been good to me this week.

Charles...

This week he's been sick and consequently he's had a short fuse.  But, I love that he insists on a hug and a kiss before I leave, even today when I was just running to drop Micah at Kids Day Inn.  He even insists on a hug and a kiss from Micah. 

I'll be honest, his hugs and kisses freak a few people out.  My 26 year-old male cousin humors Charles' request for affectionate goodbyes, but makes sure to offer his cheek rather than be smooched on the lips!



 Dad...

My dad isn't working anymore.  He's retired.  And, thankfully, at my beck-and-call.  Not really, but I do call and ask for favors and babysitting during the day when everyone else is at work. 

Today he came over to stay with Charles while I ran Micah to school.  He willingly obliged my request to stay a little longer so I could do a little grocery shopping.  I'd been stuck in the house since Sunday and needed to both get out and get a few necessities like diapers, pull-ups, and peanut butter! He stuck around until 1:30 when I had to go back to pick up Micah. 

Dad plays Wii with Charles even though I doubt he ever wins.  Mom's caught Dad playing Wii until the wee hours of the morning...maybe he's practicing so he can win at least one game! 

Micah...

This is my cuddly kid.  We're potty training and every time I help him get dressed he hugs my neck and says, "I love you, Mom!" 

Of course it's quickly followed by one or all of the following: "I love...Dad, Charles, Grandpa, Grandma, or Christy."  But, I'm always first on his list, unless it's Dad helping him get dressed!

This is also the kid who always cried (and sometimes still does) whenever I would leave the house.  It didn't matter where I was going or how long I'd be gone, it could be grocery shopping, working two hours each week at my job with Weight Watchers, or going to get the mail.  It's a bittersweet feeling for any mom.  On one hand it's hard to hear them cry, but on the other hand it's nice to know you're that important to someone.

It's been a pleasant surprise that he trots off into his class at Kids Day Inn without looking back.  And today I didn't even get a goodbye hug or kiss. 

Russell...
I still can't believe how blessed I am to have him as my husband.  I was 25 years old when we started dating and had never dated anyone.  He's my one and only. 

He's a great provider, and after eight years of marriage I've decided that is a reflection of his love for me and the boys.  Acts of service is his love language.  He goes to great lengths to budget and monitor our money, entering every item on every receipt. 

Another act of service is getting the boys ready for bed almost every night so I can have a break and get some things done around the house.  He bathes them, gets them in their jammies, reads books and Bible stories, and prays with them.  Maybe his motives aren't purely selfless because during that time I usually pack his lunch! 

This week Russ has been amazing.  Sunday I had a headache and he got the boys ready and took them to church so I could rest.  Tuesday I woke up with the stomach flu, so he stayed home and took care of the boys.  Wednesday he stayed home again since I wasn't quite up to par and Charles had gotten sick and the three of us were were up in the middle of the night.  Russ was also concerned about spreading our germs to his colleagues, how kind and considerate is that?!?! 

While he was home he stayed on top of the dishes and the never ending task of loading and unloading the dishwasher.  And, he took down the Christmas tree!  It was such a relief to have those things taken care of and no longer staring me in the face, reminding me of the length of my never ending to do list. 

So, to each four of the most special men in my life I say, "I love you, man!"