Ready, Set, Go!: Suitcase Muscles and Christmas Milk

Words are so much fun and I especially love to hear our children’s expressions about different things! Joseph, our son, started speaking early. Because of this, we have been privy to some of the greatest things we have ever heard before. In fact, many of the things we have learned recently are very wise sayings that have come from the mouths of some of the most innocent beings we know; our children. Glen and I used to joke around about how we’d write a blog and title it “Josephisms.” Joseph’s words could fill volumes and we believe that there may be more importance placed on his words in the future.

Grandma Otte came to visit a few weeks ago, and boy, were we excited! The children especially love that the grandmas love to visit with and devote time to them. It makes the children feel so special! A grandma's or a grandpa's love is very significant. So, for Grandma Otte's visit, we all cleaned and Joseph and Esther helped make up her bed. In a moment of serious reflection, Joseph told us he would like to go the airport with me and help Grandma carry her luggage. He then posed in true bodybuilder fashion and told us all about his “suitcase muscles.” And he’s right! He’s super-powerful!

After Grandma Otte’s visit, we went to store and we saw it in the dairy case; eggnog! That one great reminder of Christmas being just right around the corner. Joseph took one look at the milk carton with the picture of “Santa Cow” on it and we just had to buy it. As soon as we got home and went through the front door with our grocery bags, Joseph called out to Glen, “Daddy, daddy! We got some Christmas milk at the store today!” Christmas milk indeed! The taste reminds me of every good thing in life. And it tasted really nice with our dinner that night! Esther’s little eyes were as big as moons when she tasted the “dessert in a glass.”

I expect that we will hear more and more from Esther very soon. She has some of her own special sayings and currently says these things with her unique baby-speak accent.

I believe children have minds that work well; their thoughts are exceptionally refined and they illuminate light and brightness in the world. Some of the bravest and the strongest are here with us and it is our privilege to have them in our homes and schools. It is our responsibility to use all of our sincere efforts to nurture and guide them. The rewards to them and to the future of our world and its people will be exponential. These little ones have a great work to do!