To be like him...

When we found out we were pregnant with Kian, Larry, shortly after we found out we were having a boy, first heard the song by Philips, Craig & Dean, "I want to be just like You." He came home and told me all about this song he had heard on the radio and how much he desired that for his son and any of our children. In case you don't know the song here are the lyrics:

He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug

He calls me Dad and I call him Bub

With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh

He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"

I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight

Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light

And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see

He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me

Lord, I want to be just like You

'Cause he wants to be just like me

I want to be a holy example

For his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a living Bible, Lord

That my little boy can read

I want to be just like You

'Cause he wants to be like me

Got to admit I've got so far to go

Make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know

Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try

With all the pressures in life I just can't get it all right

But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best

Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness

'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees

And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me

Right now from where he stands I may seem mighty tall

But it's only 'cause I'm learning from the best Father of them all

Anyone who knows Kian or anyone who sees Kian and Larry together know that he is already a "mini-me" of Larry. They look exactly alike. They even have the same facial expressions. When I watch Kian with Larry you can see in his eyes how much he adores and admires Larry. His daddy is truly his hero. Kian lights up when Larry enters a room.

I know all of this but for some reason today it was even more magnified when Larry was doing a simple chore...mowing the lawn.

Larry went out to mow the lawn and Kian just wanted to be out there with him. So I took him outside, thinking that if we were just outside where he could see Larry he would be satisfied. That was not the case. Kian had to have something to push around the yard too. Not too long ago I purchased a plastic lawnmower toy from a rummage for 25 cents. I now feel that it was the best quarter I have ever spent. Kian followed his dad around the entire yard pulling along his lawnmower. He even ducked under the tree branch, just like daddy, eventhough he was not even close in hitting the branch.

I never realized how much a child can adore their parent at such a young age until I watched my son today. I know in his heart Larry fears the day that this will all go away. Sometimes I will hear him say to Kian, " I need to get all the hugs & kisses now because when you get older you will probably be too embarrassed to be around me." Larry is such a wonderful father. Everyday he proves how great of a father he is. He gives 100% all the time. Do we as parents have all the right answers...ABSOLUTELY NOT! But we are doing the best we can. The Lord has given Kian to us as a precious gift and we prayerfully will do what we can to raise him in the Lord. I know that Larry is the best father that Kian needs and I know that Kian will always love, admire and adore his daddy.

As I think about Kian and Larry, I think about this baby girl that is going to be joining us here in just a few weeks. At times I am overwhelmed to think that she will be looking towards me as her example of who she will want to be like. Am I ready for that task? I don't know if we are ever ready for such a large undertaking, but I do know that I am encouraged to be exatly what the Lord wants me to be, to be the mother that she needs me to be. It is such a blessing to be a parent. I am so thankful for the task that has been entrusted to me and so thankful that Larry is the one I am on this journey of parenthood with.