Missing The Kids

With Summer and the kids out of town for the kids' Spring Break, I find myself thinking about how much I miss them--not only because my bachelor life is so boring, but also because Summer and I are blessed to have such wonderful and good children. So, at the risk of sounding even sappier than I typically do, here are the things I most love about each of my children.

Allyson, I love your confidence, not only because it will serve you well throughout your life, but because of how shy you were not too long ago. I remember talking to your mother after your first day of preschool, when you were so scared to be involved in the learning and games. Since then, you have had some great experiences as you have learned and grown. At your baptism last year, you had become so happy and full of life. You now willingly go out of your comfort zone, as I saw when you performed at your competition a few weeks ago. From this I learn something important about how we can all change, and how I can overcome my own fears and limitations.

Ryan, I love how excited you are about the things that you love. Whether it is space, Legos, baseball, or reading a book like Bud, Not Buddy, your passion for life is infectious. You are able to become so enthralled in the things you love to do, and that is inspiring. It is so easy to glide through life and be dispassionate, and as I watch you eagerly run around the baseball diamond you have imagined in our front yard, I see that I too need to release and run around this beautiful world more often.

Isaac, I love how you enter a new situation, watch for a few minutes to gauge how to act, and then open up to meeting new people and loving them. I see this when you go to work with me You quietly watch people until you are comfortable, and the you engage them in your fun and clever conversation. You ask questions and tell stories because you seem to know that it is through this kind of sharing that we come to know and learn from the world around us. I saw it when we visited the Belen ward and when you entered Sunbeams in January. You were nervous and did not want to go to this new and strange class. But you believed us that you would have a good experience, and once you were comfortable, you jumped in.

Evan, I love how affectionate you are. I can come home from work tired and worn out, and a smile and hug from you can make me smile, make me realize that everything I do is for you children. The joy of watching you share your love, your joy for the simple things in life, blesses my life. Even when you are miserable--tired, hungry, sad--I can hold you in my arms and feel close to you. And while I know that it won't be long before you are too big to hold, and you will be walking and running, just like your brothers and sister, you will always be my little boy.