We're are a few weeks into summer vacation and you and I have come to the conclusion that summer would be nicer if summer wasn't so, um, summery. Playing outside loses its luster if you feel like your face is going to melt off your skull. So I try to throw you and Charlie outside with the sprinkler for some good ol' Vitamin D first thing in the morning. Thankfully our backyard is fairly well shaded until about 9am. At 9:01, however, it bursts into flames.
You've become a little worried over your snaggletoothed smile and crooked teeth. I keep reassuring you that all kids from the ages of 6ish to 9ish have some sort of snaggletoothy smile and that all kids with my Hulk-strong genes of janky teeth will indeed have crooked teeth, so there's no need to sweat it. This is usually met with a glare and a huff and a 15-minute long discussion on how braces aren't that big of a deal. Because they really aren't.
I've started a new bedtime routine with you and Charlie. I read about it online, loved it, and totally stole the idea. After I tuck you in, I ask you a series of questions.
Me: Do I love you because you have beautiful hair?
You: Nope ... but I do have beautiful hair.
Me: Do I love you because you like to sing?
You: Nope ... but I do like to sing.
Me: Do I love you because you're really responsible?
You: Nope ... but I am really responsible.
Me: Do I love you because you're super funny?
You: Nope ... but I am super funny!
Me: Why do I love you?
You: Because I'm yours!
The whole point of this little game is for me to point out unique qualities about you but to make sure you know those qualities are not the reason why I love you. Those qualities are wonderful but they're neither the source nor the reason for my love. That if those qualities somehow disappeared tomorrow, I would still love you simply because you're mine.
So while I love your hair, I treasure the Natalie Concerts I hear all day, I love that you are able to take care of Charlie when a migraine overpowers me and I have to lie down, and I love your quick wit, those are not the reasons I love you. If you were a tone-deaf kid with bad hair who was irresponsible and unfunny, I'd love you just the same. I love you simply because you're mine.
God loves you (and me - and everyone, for that matter) because you're His. God doesn't love you because you go to church or pray or follow the Golden Rule. God loves you simply because you're His child. His love isn't attached to what you do or don't do, where you go or don't go, what you say or don't say. You don't have to do anything, be anything, have anything for God to love you. God loves you simply because you're His child. And I pray this little bedtime game solidifies this truth in the deepest part of your precious, hilarious heart.
Hugs and smooches,
Mommy & Daddy
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Headlines for June 1, 2016
- Yes, Child Trumps Gorilla. Can’t Even Believe That Actually Needs To Be Said ( ** No, this isn't typically the kind of headline I include in your recap, but I'm including it because ... well, because I can't even comprehend the madness ... when you're older I'll explain the kind of whackadoo world we live in where some people value the life of a gorilla over the life of a little boy. ** )
- Lawyers for Clinton aide block questioning on IT specialist who set up server
- ISIS reportedly uses hundreds of families as human shields to protect Fallujah
- Baby Born With Microcephaly in US to Woman Who Contracted Zika Elsewhere
- Surfing Star and Shark Attack Survivor Bethany Hamilton Impresses in Fiji
- Internet, Web Enjoy One Final Day as Proper Nouns
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