Stuff from my Kids

Emily and I have three children:  A six-year-old, Madeline, a three-year-old, Deanne and Bobby who is about 4 months old.  They have said and done some stuff over the last several years which is quite cute and should be preserved.  So here goes...

Shortly after we moved into this house, Madeline made a friend next door.  After several weeks, we determined that she needed limited exposure to this girl, as our family's values and her family's values did not mix well.  One Saturday, Madeline and I were out on the back porch, giving Mommy a rest, when Madeline wanted to go over and play.  When I told her that she wasn't going over today, she gently stroked my cheek and said, "You should go inside and rest."

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As parents, we are always trying to encourage our children when they do things we want them to do.  When Deanne was potty training, we often encouraged her with a "good job" when she used the potty.  Now, I can be in the bathroom and Deanne will come to the door and the conversation goes something like this:

"Papa, are you going potty?"

"Yes, Deanne."

A few seconds later, "Papa, are you done?"

"Yes, Deanne."

"Good job, Papa!"

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When Madeline was three, we were driving to a party, just her and me.  While we were driving, she asked, "Papa, why do bad people do bad things and hurt other people?"

My response was, "Well, I suppose the main reason is that they don't have Jesus in their heart to help them not do bad things."

A few seconds later, I hear from the back seat, "Dear God, please put Jesus in the bad people's hearts to they won't do bad things anymore.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

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About the same time, I woke up on a Saturday morning and got dressed.  As usual, I looked for my wedding band and high school class ring, the only two pieces of real jewelry I own.  When I looked in the place I normally put them, I noticed they were missing.  I called Madeline in and asked her if she knew where they were, she nodded.  I asked her to get them and she crawled under the dust ruffle of Deanne's basinette and retrieved both rings.  When I asked her how the rings got there, she replied, "I think the cats did it."

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There was nothing more sweet than the day we brought Bobby home.  He was in his bassinet, crying, and Madeline was on one side saying repeatedly, "It's all right.  It's all right." and Deanne on the other side singing "Silent Night."


I'll add more as I think of them, but it's a nice start.

Thanks for reading.